The 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company (CH-47) with its base camp at Phu Hiep Army Airfield continues, as it has since its arrival in the Republic of Vietnam, to render to Free World Military Assistance Forces the kind of high quality heavy lift support which enables them to meet the aggressor and defeat him on his own ground. The 180th prides itself on this ability to furnish steady, dependable support on a continuous basis to units throughout the II Corps Tactical Zone and through the professional "can do" attitude of all members past and present, the name of "Big Windy" has come to be known throughout the Republic of Vietnam.
HERALDY
DESCRIPTION OF DISTINCTIVE UNIT INSIGNIA
The "Big Windy" insignia consists of a circular white cloth patch, approximately 41 inches in diameter, embroidered in green and gold with black trim. It features the silhouette of the CH-47A "Chinook" helicopter in traditional Army Green. Gold lettering embroidered concentrically along the circumference announces the unit name: "180th Aslt Supt Helicopter along the upper- edge and the name of its associated maintenance unit: "403rd T.C. Det" appears along the lower edge. The unit traditional call sign "BIG WINDY" and the unit motto "GOD IS OUR COPILOT" are concentrically embroidered in gold along the inner circumference.
This insignia is worn on the inner button of the right breast pocket by members of the 180th ASHC. Members of the 403rd T.C. Det wear this insignia on the inner button of the left breast pocket.
A commemorative plastic replica mounted upon a wooden plaque is presented to unit aviators and pilots prior to -their departure. This replica is suitably inscribed with the name of the recipient and the inclusive dates during which he served with either unit.
The 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company (CH-47A) was constituted in the Regular Army on 16 July 1965 under the name of 180th Aviation Company (Medium Helicopter). It was activated at Fort Benning Georgia, on 17 March 1966 by General Order 99, Headquarters, Third U.S. Army, dated 16 I-larch 1966. This same order also activated the 403rd Transportation Detachment (Medium Helicopter Field Maintenance). The authorized strength of these units was as follows:
| Officers | Warrant Officers | Enlisted Men | Aggregate | |
| 180th | 13 | 25 | 148 | 186 |
| 403rd | 1 | 1 | 80 | 82 |
LTC (then Major) Thomas F. Perkins, Artillery, became, the first commander of the 180th per Special Order 69, Headquarters 10th Aviation Group, dated 24 March 1966 and LTC (then Major) Wallace L. Tate, TC, became the first commander of the 403rd.
The spring and summer of 1966 were devoted to organization and training. Personnel and equipment "ear-marked" for the 180th and 403rd began to arrive at Fort Benning. Training was conducted at an accelerated pace culminating in Training Operation "PERKINS" 1-5 August 1966. During this Field Training Exercise, both units. demonstrated their readiness for deployment. While supporting the 2nd Battalion, 40th Artillery and D Troop, 17 Cavalry, the 180th flew 100 sorties, transporting 875 passengers and 44,000 pounds of cargo.
Following Training Operation "PERKINS" final preparations for overseas movement began in earnest. From 24 August to 6 September, the CH-47 helicopters were ferried from Fort Benning Georgia to Sharpe Army Depot, California., where they were readied for trans-shipment from Alameda. TOE equipment left Fort Benning by rail on 16 September for further surface shipment. This equipment arrived at Charleston, South Carolina, was loaded aboard the MSTS Gordon, and left for Southeast Asia on 19 September. On 1 October., the advance party consisting of Majors Rupert F. Glover and Allen M. Carlisle departed the United States by commercial aircraft. They were the first unit members to land in the Republic of Vietnam' arriving, on 4 October. On that same date, 3 officers; 3 warrant officers, and 25 enlisted men departed Alameda, California, with their aircraft aboard the MSTS Briton. From 14 thru 17 October, small groups of officers and men deported Warner Robbins AFB Macon, Georgia, aboard C-130 aircraft. All told, seven C-130 airplanes, two Liberty ships and one aircraft carrier were required for the move.
Initially the 180th and 403rd were assigned to the 10th Combat Aviation Battalion and located with their parent unit at Dong Ba Thin. Pilots and crew members were sent to the 179th Assault Support Helicopter Company in Pleiku and to aviation units of the lst Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the An Khe area to receive their "in-country" orientation. Meanwhile, through self-help, construction of billets and the layout of work areas at Dong Ba Thin progressed rapidly.
Upon arrival of the MSTS Briton at Vung T&u on 17 November, little time was wasted restoring the aircraft to flyable status. Working diligently and with forethought, the first mission-ready helicopters departed Vung Tau a scant forty-eight hours following their arrival in-country. By the time the sound of three twin-rotored helicopters flying-by in review over Flanders heliport was heard on 19 November, "Big Windy" flight crews had already completed a part of their first combat resupply mission. As
the helicopters departed Vung Tau, they were diverted to Saigon to ease a backlog of aircraft parts destined for units of the 17th Combat Aviation Group, thus., prior to becoming operational., the 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company (CH-47) delivered 85,000 pounds of aircraft parts-to units located at Ban Me Thuot, Pleiku, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang and Dong Ba Thin. An intensive unit training cycle was curtailed as the unit was deemed combat ready and declared operational on 1 December 1966.
COMMAND AND CONTROL
Commanders of the 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company (CH-47)
1. LTC Thomas F. Perkins, Artillery, from 24-March 1965 to 1 April 1967.
2. LTC Wallace L. Tate, Transportation Corps, from 1 April 1967 to 3 October 1967.
3. LTC Francis E. Worth, Artillery. from 3 October 1967 to the present time.
During its activation and training period, the 180th Aviation Company (Med Hel) and the 403rd Transportation Detachment (141st Hel Fld Maint) were under the command and control of the 37th Aviation Battalion, 10th Aviation Group.
Effective 21 October 1966, the 180th and 403rd were assigned to the 17th Combat Aviation Group per General Order 770, Headquarters 1st Aviation Brigade, dated 1 November 1966. Both units were further assigned to the 10th Combat Aviation Battalion until 14 November 1967.
From 15 November 1967 until now., the 180th and 403rd have been under the command and control of the 268th Combat Aviation Battalion; 17th Combat Aviation Group, 1st Aviation Brigade.