USAcv2

**Unit History**
The 187th Transportation Airplane Company based at Fort Benning, Georgia was deactivated on June 30, 1965 and renamed the 134th Aviation Company (AM-FW) an activated on July 1, 1965. The next mission was to prepare for movement to Vietnam. After many laborious hours of planning and preparation, the unit departed Fort Benning on November, 30, 1965 for Hamilton AFB, California. On December 12th Hamilton AFB for Hickham AFB, Hawaii (total flight time 17.3 hours). Departed Hickham AFB, landing at Midway Island, Wake Island, Anderson AFB - Guam, Clark AFB -Philippines and arriving at Vung Tan, Vietnam on December 18, 1965. On December 19th the unit started operations out of Can Tho, Vietnam in the 4th Corp.

**Vietnam History**
Because of the size of the unit’s 18 Caribou aircraft and the ramp space that was required for parking and maintenance, the company was divided between Soc Trang and Can Tho. The Company headquarters, 260th Maintenance Detachment and the Second Flight Platoon with nine aircraft were stationed at Can Tho. The First Flight Platoon with nine aircraft and a small maintenance section were located at Soc Trang.

On 23 March 1966, after completing a full day’s flying, the unit was called on to airlift a Ranger Battalion from Can Tho to Soc Trang during the hours of darkness. Aircraft 62-4165 (cn 103) after being cleared to land by the Soc Trang tower, collided with an ARVN (Army Republic Vietnam) H-34 helicopter whose rotor blades were over lapping the runway. The helicopter was a total loss and the left wing of the Caribou was damaged. No injuries were sustained. The wing was changed on the Caribou and it was flying again within a week.
				Michael Weber Photos

Michael Weber provided these photos of the 134th Aviation Company at Soc Trang, Vietnam in 1966

Crash of Caribou 62-4165

(Click on photo to enlarge)

On May 10, 1966 2 Caribous 63-9746 (c/n # 200) and 62-4165 (c/n # 103) both of the 134th Aviation Company based in Can-Tho, were on the same mission, they were low-lexing bamboo for special forces, 746 made the first drop, and took fire... 165 followed (5 to 15 mins later) I know that they also got fired on. There were 2 men that lost their lives on 165 . Sp/5 Herbert Adams, Flt. Eng, and a load master by the name of McClowski, whom I didn't know very well. The two pilots were Capt. Rolser & WO Joseph Hudson. Thanks to Hal Loyer and John Agnew

U.S. Army Photograph of 62-4165 taken 5/10/66.

**134th Aviation Company - Can-Tho** **Courtesy of John Agnew**
	One Bou lifts off and another one outbound from the ramp at Can-Tho.		This is a photo of the 260th TC Det sign at Can-Tho 1966. We served with the 134th Aviation Company at Soc Trang in 1965 and Can-Tho in 1966.
	Miller time at Can-Tho. Note the VNAF C-47 next to Caribou 63-9727 (c/n #163)		Can-Tho control tower
	One of 134th's Caribou taxiing inbound to the ramp at Can-Tho.		Can-Tho apron with 134th Caribous and a VNAF C-47 in front.
	The man in the picture is NICK EVOLA, he was from the Detroit, Mi area, as I was. This was taken in front of the 134th Avn Co Operations office in 1966 at Can-Tho the morning I was going back to the U.S. of A! If anyone know of his whereabouts please let me know.		Hotel in Can-Tho with the 134th and 260th TC Det. logos
	Street in front of the hotel		Maybe some of the people will remember me from this picture, they certainly won't at the reunions, as Leonard Hertwig said "John do you still look like that?" Regards, John. the photographer

Caribous 63-9740 (cn 188), 63-9737 (cn 182) and 62-4193 ( cn 138) of the 134th Aviation Company sit on the ramp at Can Tho Airfield, South Vietnam in May 1966 (Robert Landry)

The 134th painted Caribou 62-4193 (cn 138) to be used on "Operation Rudolp" in December 1966. This just prior to the Army handing over the Caribous to the USAF. (Robert Landry)