May 1969. USS Oriskany (CV/CVA-34)/Yankee Station.

The Oriskany arrives at Yankee Station, and begins combat operations in a much more restricted environment than the previous deployment. In early 1969, Oriskany embarked a new air wing for familiarization and qualifications in preparation for her fourth deployment to Vietnam. In contrast to her previous air wing, Carrier Air Wing 19 (CVW-19) did not include any A-1 Skyraiders, having two squadrons of F-8J Crusaders in VF-191 and VF-194, and three squadrons of A-4 Skyhawks in VA-23, VA-192 and VA-195, as well as the usual detachments of reconnaissance, tanker, and early warning aircraft. Upon completion of work, the carrier underwent refresher training and flight qualifications before deploying to the Far East in April 1969. From 16 April 1969, Carrier Air Wing 19 made six deployments aboard Oriskany (the first four to support the Vietnam War in the Gulf of Tonkin until the end of the war in 1973). *

  

https://www.navysite.de/cruisebooks/cv34-69/index.html

April 16, 1969 – February 26, 1970. Operation Market Time.

Between 20 September 1966 and 15 February 1967, Mine Squadron Eleven Detachment Alfa suffered eleven members killed in action and two classified as missing in action. In 1968, Detachment Alfa became Mine Division 112, and a new sister division, Mine Division 113, was formed. Between 16 April 1969 and 26 February 1970, this small combined mine force, comprised almost entirely of enlisted, lost another four sailors. Collectively, the two divisions sustained almost all the casualties suffered onboard mine warfare vessels in Vietnam. While relatively few sweep sailors worked inshore in South Vietnam, at any given time hundreds were serving off shore aboard ocean and coastal minesweepers engaged in Operation Market Time. This operation involved the boarding and searching of thousands of junks, sampans and fishing boats in an effort to prevent or reduce seaborne North Vietnamese infiltration of men, munitions, and supplies into South Vietnam. Sweep sailors also comprised the crews of the minesweeping launches carried aboard USS Epping Forest (MCS-7) and, later, USS Ozark (MCS-2). These mine countermeasures support ships served as flagship of Commander, Mine Flotilla One, based in Sasebo, Japan. The launches swept harbors and inlets too shallow for minesweepers. [198]

February 28, 1969 – March 31, 1971. Operation Iron Mountain.

A security operation involving the 11th Infantry Brigade in a clear and search operation along the Song Tra Khuc River south and west to Song Re River, in Quảng Ngãi Province. US losses were 440 killed, PAVN/VC losses were 4589 killed and 137 captured. [36] [35] [69] Note: Other official reports state Iron Mountain started on March 18. Furthermore, the same report states the operation involves the Americal Division (23^rd Infantry Division). [290] *

Rome plows/Rome ploughs

The plow tractors were equipped with a very sharp "stinger blade" which weighed more than two tons and was able to cut down trees, which were then burned. When fully equipped, a Rome plow tractor weighed 48,000 pounds without the Rome plow kit. Rome plows were mounted on Caterpillar D7E bulldozers of the 59th, 60th, 501st, 538th, 687th, and 984th Engineer Companies (Land Clearing). The plows took their name from the city of Rome, Georgia, where they were made by the Rome Plow Company (now located in Cedartown, Georgia). Rome plows were first used in III Corps (Military Region III) to destroy trees and other jungle flora that could be used by enemy forces. Major land clearance operations did not commence, however, until May 1967 with the arrival of the 169th Engineer Battalion.

July 29, 1969 – August 30, 1969. Operation Camden II/5RAR.

5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment operation to protect a land clearing team (US), and conduct reconnaissance in force (RIF) operations to locate and destroy VC main force units in AO (Area Operations) Operation Mindy between Route 15 (Saigon to Vũng Tàu), Route 2 (Ba Ria to Xuyen Moc) and Route 1. [40] [230] AO Mindy was defined by a ten thousand metre circle around the Fire Support Base Polly. This area, known to the VC as the Hat Dich Secret Zone, has been an enemy haven and stronghold ever since the days of the Viet Minh war. It is to the enemy both an operational base area, and an important logistic support area, since it is situated between Route 15 (Saigon to Vung Tau), Route 2 (Baria to Xuyen Moc) and Route 1 (of 'street without joy' fame). These roads are vital to the VC as it is along these that their supplies are transported to the villages of Thai Tien, Tham Tien, Phuoc My and Tham Phouc on Route 15 and Binh Ba, Ngai Giao and Xa Bang on Route 2. The population of these villages, being sympathetic to the communist cause, provided distribution points for their organization. During previous operations, particularly Operation Goodwood by 9RAR, 1 ATF gathered a great deal of information on enemy patterns of activity and base camps. Consequently a plan was drawn up to deny the enemy his major base areas by clearing the area with bulldozers. About thirty Caterpillar D8's with Rome ploughs, and the appropriate repair and recover facilities, made up the 501 Engineer Company (US). This Land Clearing Team (LCT) was in direct support of 5RAR. Most enemy units subordinate to MR7 headquarters was known to use the area. Units of particular importance to 5RAR were the 700 strong 274 VC Regiment, and Headquarters Sub Region 4 which had a total strength with its three battalions and supporting units of some 1,100 men. The D67- Engineer Battalion was known to be still in the southern part of the AO, and C41 Chau Duc District Company was known to be on our south-east boundary. The CO's concept of Operation Camden was that one of his companies was to remain in the Night- Defensive Position (NDP) of the LCT and patrol out from it day and night. A second company was to clear enemy from the areas to be land cleared at a later date. The third company was to conduct RIF operations in the AO to locate the enemy main force. The fourth rifle company, B Company, was initially detached to train the 2/52 Regiment of 18 ARVN Division at the Horseshoe. On the 29 July C and D companies with the Tactical Headquarters flew into the location of the future NDP which was known as Cambrai and was being secured by B Company 9RAR. By 31 July the fire support base named Polly had been established. During the building of the base, an enemy mine consisting of twenty pounds of Chicom explosive connected to a tilt switch and five 82mm. mortar bombs was detected before it was detonated. At 1615 hours 7 Platoon C Company contacted an enemy unit of platoon strength in a bunker system. Despite very aggressive reaction by 7 Platoon the enemy fired accurate RPGs and machine guns which forced 7 Platoon to withdraw to evacuate their casualties. Private J. McMillan was killed in that action. Three enemy bodies were found. *

July 1969 – August 12, 1969. Black Panther Division/1st Brigade (Thailand)/RTVF.

The third increment of the Royal Thai Volunteer Force (RTVF) was deployed to South Vietnam to replace the first increment, which returned to Thailand. The last of the third increment closed into Bearcat on 12 August 1969. The replacement brigade assumed the designation of 1st Brigade. In addition, the headquarters of the Royal Thai Army Volunteer Force (RTAVF) completed its annual rotation. Throughout all of this there was little, if any, loss of momentum in the conduct of field operations. [261]