Airmobile Troops

temporarily and permanently activated units of US ground forces whose purpose is to carry out so-called airmobile operations (transferring troops by air to regions of combat action, including areas which are difficult to reach and are in the enemy’s rear, and conducting combat operations in these regions).

A permanently activated organic unit includes an airmobile division of three brigades, including infantry (airmobile) and paratroop battalions, three battalions of 105-mm howitzers, subunits and units of helicopters, and light airplanes (for a total of approximately 17,000 men and up to 450 helicopters). The organic transport helicopters are capable of transferring an entire division in three trips. Combat helicopters (more than 100) are equipped with rockets, automatic cannon, grenade launchers, and machine guns, and they are designed to provide fire support. In South Vietnam during 1969 two American airmobile divisions saw action.