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AD857603

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TOApproved for public release, distributionunlimited

FROMDistribution authorized to U.S. Gov't.agencies and their contractors;Administrative/Operational Use; 30 APR1969. Other requests shall be referred toAssistant Chief of Staff for ForceDevelopment, Attn: Army, Washington, DC20310.

AUTHORITY

AGO., D/A ltr, 29 Apr 1980

THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED

THIS REPORT HAS BEEN DELIMITED

AND CLEARED FOR PUBL.'C RELEASE

UNDER DOD DIRECTIVE 5200.20 AND

NO RESTRICTIONS ARE IMPOSED UPON

ITS USE AND DISCLOSURE,

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC REIASF..J

DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED#

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMYOFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20310

IN REPLY REFER TO

AGAM-P (M) (1 Aug 69) FOR OT UT 692286 7 August 1969

SUBJECT: Operational Report - Lessons Learned, Headquarters, 815th EngineerBattalion, Period Ending 30 April 1969

SEE DISTRIBUTION

S1. Subject report is forwArded for review and evaluation in accordancewith paragraph 5b, AR 525-15. Evaluations and corrective actions shouldbe reported to ACSFOR OT UT, Operational Reports Branch, within 90 daysof receipt of covering letter.

M 2. Information contained in this report is provided to insure appropriatebenefits in the future from lessons learned during current operations andmay be adapted for use in developing training material.

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY:

1 Incl KENNETH G. WICKHIAMas Major General, USA

The Adjutant GeneralDISTRIBUTION: ',Commanding Generals

US Continental Army Command SEP 1969US Army Combat Developments Command

Commandants rilUS Army War CollegeUS Army Command and General Staff CollegeUS Army Engineer School

Copies furnished:Office, Chief of Staff, US Army UNCLASSIFIED REPORT

Deputy Chiefs of Staff DESTREBUTION NO FOREI• WITHOUT APPROVAL OF

Chief of Research and Development ASSIsTAMr c oP ST•P FOR RCe DEVE-OPMENrAssistant Chiefs of StaffssistanChiefsoofngStaff(ARMY) ATTN FOR OT ur. WASHINGTON. D.C. 1031

Chief of EngineersCommanding General, US Army Flight Training Center

,! ~Commandant of the Marine CorpsPrtciem kngacledw nDefense Documentation Center

separated from Inclosure.


FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYV`,P,^RPJ$ 6F' TIT' ARMY* h~fonduaqtutors, 815th Engincor Battailioni (Construction)

APO 96318EGCB...0 30 .&pri-l 1969SUBJECT: Operational. Roporit of tho 815th Enginoor Battalion (Construction)for tho Poriod Ending 30 April 1969, nCS OSFor (65)(R)

4 6 THRU: Comn.ancling OI'ficor937th Engineer Group (Combat)APO 96318

Coamrnnding, Gonoral18th Engineer BrigadoAPO 96377

Commctncing General.United States 1.rn~j VietnamA!TTN: AVHGCCDSTK ~ ~~~APo*96375 iyy aiiCouriendor-in-C1,ief

AT:GPOP-DTV .APO 96558

To: Assistent Chiof of Staff For Forge DevelopmentDepartment' of the Array (ACsiv'i-..Dj,)

Protective M1ardizigs Cancolled on) 30 April 1972

'or

Inclosure%

-J1FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYzocM.OP 30 Aipal i969SUBJECT: operational Report of the 815th Engineer B3attalion (C6natructibl1)

for the Porioe1 Ending 30 April 1969,, RCS CSFOR (65) (RI).

Section I: Omeratigns: Si-mnificant tLctivties

1I. GenerhlV

a. E-MaIzgtional: The 815th Engineer Battalion (Construction) isattached to th,ý 937th Engineer G~roup (Combat) and has a conventional relation-abip with the parent unit. The battalich is presently organized as shown in 1 ,

Indlosure 1.

b, Misin: The 815t~h Engiheer Battalion (Oonstractibn). has been assighedI the following midssions by the 937th Engineer Group (Combat):

(1) To provide operational support as directed.

(2) To construct lines of com~muications and other facilities asdirected.

(3) To operate and secure Webb Quarry,. Pleikug RVN.

()To operate and secure formor RMU facilitioe-p Ploiku. RVN.

(5) To operate ft3 1XontiziAspha~t. PIlafite.

vicnit of(6) To operate and. secure the Tactical Operations Base In thevicnit ofronct junction LTIA 7B4...lh&.

c. Pesonnel Ld= &isration, MoraLe an~d Pjjgsci4ne*

(1) Pegnnl The average present for duty strength of thebattaliob and its units remained within the range of 76.9 percent t6 96.3 percontpwith an average of approxfimatel-y 86.4 percent* At the present tine., thisbattalion is en]ý-oying 90.5 percent of the Local Nationals authorized by TPZA andthe reduced TO&E.

(2) &Moal -and flisciplio:

(a) Morale was high during this quarter duo to Woll utilizationof R&R programs and due to -he continued Improvement of'cantonment facilities.

()DisciplIzary problems during the quartor woro linitodlargely to curfew and off-limits violations and failure to repair. During thereport period there wore one stmvmiry court and 19 special courts-martial.

C)The battal-ion movie. l-ocatod In a maintoennce tent, is wellattended. In add9-t~ion, two other movies are locatod'within walking distanco.Specia 'services facilities, including a tape cantor.. photo lab,, and slot cartrack,, have increasod morale within the battalion. Tho Central Engineer HillOfficer., NCO and EM clubs arg well attended.

AINCL FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

"C ~'T

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEGCE..OP 10 Apri~l.1969

SMZCTOperational Report of the 815th -Engi~neor Dattalioii (CozidtructSion)~UBJET:for the Period'Ending 30 April 1969,. RCS CS~rf6 (65) (RI).

(d) Roligious -services are provided at the Enginoer ~Ian Chapel.There are one (1) Catholic and',two, (2) ProtostAnt Services on.-Sunday tipinings and

r both Catholic and Protestant serv.ces on Sunday evenings. Tewioh porbodnoland thoso of othor roligiaoi seots are provided information rognrdingp and tho,opportunity of attending, their own services when available. 4 w;ockly Prot6stant]3ihlo Study Class is conducted evary IWednesaday evening. Puring the quater, th

batalin wtswithout an assi,,cpd chaplain for~ - ro'.dziately (me month.T~nthis period, spirituxal riinesibrations and counseling wore shared by tho chaplwtwl6f tho 937th En-gineer Group (Combat) and the 20th Engincer Battalion (Cambat)'.The now Battalion Chaplain arrived on 8 march 1969. fl'n'1ng the quartor, tho

~ £ ohap2~in conducted thirteen 0jX-Sunce.ay serriads with a total attendance ofhiundrod forty-.nine (949) po--sons and thirty-five (35) weekday dovotionals aror

kinfokna1 sorv:ý'oa with an attend=nc Of four hundred hiXty-fivo (465) parsons*.....Pne Memerial'Service. In the area of Character Guidance instruction and

peionaterions. holdnto were asna-hrdyCo~ain.EserSni Sriorietto one thousand one hundred eighty (1180) persons were acutdfra~ ýavding Character Guidance. Tlt Chaplain visited the 71st Evacuation Hospital ¶rcookl,,

the Battalion Dispensary daily, and Battalion Job siEtes weekly., Ho was -also avail-4blo for counseling day and night and counseled ninety-five (95) persions during tkequarter.

All ompaioshaodayr~ooms., basketball and volleyball, courts (three. of thecorsare equý.ppoa with lights) and horseshoes included In their -dtholtic facillI..

ties. In addit'.on, pool tables are locantec in all comipany dayroones.. -,-ho companqeeare continuing to receivo both magazines and paperback books on a regula basis*

d. jiito~lirmonoo and apour~ter iat~ngor The Battalion has continued,~' ~processing the required personnel security clearanes during this report period.

$pot reports have been submitted on all vbt~ificd and probable enemy contacts.Daily Unaison was mado .vith the 82 9od-ijoc., 937th Migimno~rGo (obat) ocurrent local irntolligonco data,. and daily briefings woi'o 1eld Tho heB ttlon

~ Tactical operations Center (TOC) for company operations porsonnel bzd repro son-tativos from the battalion staff sections.

j ~2. Plan ane. Operations:

a. General

of (1) During this report porioa, primary emphasis. wast placed onLinesofn omunicatien Mnintenanco and UZpgr-ading., Base Deovelopment, Tactical gecurity

and Operations Facilities and. the operation of the Wobb Quarry Crusher Complexý..

(2) The .0i6Kh Enginoer Detachment (Well Drilling./Coro -Drilling)was attached to the Battalion duaring the last half of this report pori6d. No-probloms. were encountorcd in the attachment of this-unit.

b, Operational Support: No combat support -mi~ssions were ansignod .thisunit although continuous oquipment/oporator support and material support was -

provided the other batta~lons of'the 937thbnie~Gru (Combat) to assist in

~NCLFOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONiYLGG-OF 30.Apr11 1969'1 UbJECT:. Oporational Roport of the 81 5ih Th:-Inoer Battalion (constructioni)

f:for the Period &nding 30 April 16,1d ~R (5 R)

th~e accomplishment of' assignied mission. Tha following oporA~icnbl 13uppoi't{ ~issids.na have boon undertaken by this unit during the report p.Qriods

(1) PKSAG TLoajatica1 Support MacilLitis:

(a) Ploiku Tank Farm . Primary effort for this facility wasthe construction of chain link standoff fences eround "0.,0O00 BBL POL storagotankb. Effort during the report period consisted of dri.LJling 225 holes-8 foot

hap, ntching and placing 200' telephone poles., plac5.nk , ed bolting 206-161x6"16"cross braces, install.ing 5300 foot, of chain link fonc8g, usirig 1600 foot of tiewire for securing overlapping fence sections and placing 87 Uý-shaped. pickets topievoxit lateral movement at bottom of fence. In addition, a guard towor was

contrutcdand drainage, improved on tho facility' s perimetor. Consrcinsscheduled for comjtletion dui'ing the iie4j report period.

(b) POL Tanks., Camp Holloway - Primary effort for thiso facilityIs the scheduled construction of chain link standoff foncos around 343000 BJ3L P0ILstorago tanks. Effort consistoc' of drilling 44 holos and placing 12 "deacbmla"

anhors. Construction is scellduled for comp) cM oU during the next~ report period..

(c) Ammo Supply7 Point,. Ploiku - Primroy effort for this facllit3vas the construction of a 4.2 fihLo pioneer perimeter road and drainage upgrading.4+170 C.Y.?s of fill was haulod, 6-raded and compagtod and 14+5 motors of 18 inchculvert and 30 motors of 24 inch culvert was asesmbled and installed.

(2) Mxdn=mu 9ss8 tia Roauiremeto M,~)

(a). 62nd Maintenance Battalion Area: I each- 2 head showerstarted and completed. 1 each- 3 hole latrine completee.

2(b) 88th SOS BAttalion Aroa: Ieach- 4+ head shower started and

ecompleted.

(c) Camp Holloway: Haulod and compacted 450 C.Y.ts of fill forFshower ar..d latrine pads.

ce gpostructis Nhring this report period., the following projocts wero,completed, or are in progress:

*(i) tines of Coi~riimica _D.CLO) rijjabonancg and UiLpaGixuz Durn

this report periodj, this battl~ion concentrated its primary effort on LOC znaint-onancee and upgrading.. Upgrading of QC.-19E from Plolica to the Mang Giang Pass viascomp!oto, resulting In a. highly efficient and reliable, bast-wast route through t ccentra lighlands,. Effort consistod, of hauling,, placing., grading and'compacting

"44 ~ 81j,799 C.Y.1a of fill'on exristing roadway and shouldors. In addition., 22.8 MA4

of roadwair (6ikbo laiie) vae maelhino paved, 8.3 M4 of ditchos roworked and approx-

it had boon scheduled that upgrading of n.L-14N from Ploiku. to Dak Towoul bomoretha tw-thirds completed at -tho 9ne- of this report poriod. owoi-nmyaction greatly curtailed scheduled eff'ort. On the evening of 22 March 99


____ ___ __ ___ ___ ___

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY-r~cr,-oP30 April 1969

SU~.IOb Otorational Report of the 815th Engineer Battalion (Constr'uction)fer' the Period Wning 30 April 1969, IRCS C.SFOR - (65) (TIi).

t14oeiy tialiy TOO, tho Kontum Asphalt Plant location, came undor enemfy no~ita,rpokot and sappor attack resulting in the total destruction oý .tho arphalt plant.This required tho procurom(.nt of a now asphalt planit, which was ýovontua3.ly?obtained from the Noaw Ploikcu Air Base. .Maximuum effort during the latter part 6fthis report period was therefore directed towara disassembling the Air ForcoPlantrelocating it tuo the 1:ontum area,,ro,--assembling tho plant and trouble-.shooting thesystem. Full operation was attained. near the and of this reporting period.Although paving operations wore not, continuous during tho report. period, oarthwork

opertions continued comhparatively on schodule. Effort during the report -period.,consisted of hauling 55,.800 C.Y.ts of fill for widening and,-compacting theodiptinroadway. In addition., 15./47 104 of roadway.(double lane) was machin6 pavedp, 3'O9HM of roadway (double lane) was paved using the blade lay tobhmiquoe, ditches woreout, and upgraded for a Oistance of 9.6 RM and 25 motors of culvert woro-assombibd,and. installed. Project complotion is schoc'uled during the next report period*

The Pleiku Bypass, intended to relieve traffic congestion on OL.-14 throughPloiku City,. is nearing completion,@ Effort during the report period consisted ofhauling, placing and compactiný 1145 C.Y.'s of rock and 24,p280 C.Y.18 of fill onexisting. roadway. In a~ldition, 9.98 194 of roadway (doublI& lane) we' paved Using.the blade lay technique, 10.4 IN of ditches were roworked., 9 hoadwalls formed and125 C.Y.1s of concrete placed for hoadwalls and 175 motors of culvert ass6mblodand installedi. Construction is scheduled for completion during the next report

Recently., this battalion has boon directed to expand its LOG upgrading to 4

include QL-14S and LTL-7fl* To support this future effortf an eventual distanceof 154 M4, a Ta-,tical Operations Base in the vicinity of road juncti'on 71l-14$ is'under construcL .on, Eventually to be -the site of a quarry, crushor and asphaltplant complex, one construction company began site prepardtion near the end of theperiod. Future planning, includes relocation of the IO2.pd Engineer Comaney. (Cs)and the 585th Pngincer Company (Dump Truck) to the new quarry. It is to be named -the Woigt-Davils Qouarry in memory of two mbn killed in the attack on the KontmAsphalt Plant. 1urig this report perioed, 25 acres of liand were clearetd nnd w~orkwas begun on access roads, Operation of the 11eigt-.Davis Quarry Is scheduled toco~mmonco during the next report period.

vast LOG program, Webb Quarry was instrumental in pro4 .ricllng the much needed - rock$or the production of hiot. mix- aspfhalt *f3/Z-". n.&d fincs)j. 'for ronac'ry btse courseiiatorial (3") and in 'the pz'6&totlon of concrete for drainage headwalls (ii")During the report period,. 93,.789 Cubic Yards of rock was produced, Averageproduction was 1190 Co.Lts per dlay of operation, llpproxiiately 85%'of the rockwas issued for LOG ond, other roadway upgrading programs., hardatands, and otherconistruction projects su~h as asphaltic concrete bmd portland cement concrete..11,,251 C.Y-ts of 3" rock, 2495 C.Y.'s of 1I" rock, 1008 C-Y~ts of 3/A" rock, and196'C..'s oC manufacturec'tines were ow heand at the end of tbis reporting period.

(3) Onporation of tjhc- Construction TIndustrial, Area -(fn Clasa IV Yard')Concreteo Baton lan~t_ and sThl Plant Site~i During this report period.* 37,353 tonrof asphalt were produced. Of this total, 4+,799 tons were issued to the. Air Forceas a resilt of the agreement to borrow their plant fer use in Kentum. Appr'iImately 90% of the asphalt produced was utilized on LOC upgrading, projects. In


FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEGCE•OI 30 April 1969SIBJECTi Oiraio1Al Report of the 81Ah theoAdor Battalion (Construction)

for the Period Ending 30 Ap11l 19651 RCS CSPOR - (65) (ni).

addition, 1520 C.Y.ils. of concrete wore produced to b used in building p4ds, head-wall construction and other associated construction*

(4) rtional Roeuiromontst Many projects were started abdcompleted during this report period; Timbor Trestle Bridge: Built approach rampsrequiring hauling, grading and compacting of 1470 C.Y.'s of fill anO 230 C.Y.1s ofioak, applying 2000 gallons of ponoprime and blade laying 0.18 M4 of asphalt.815th Iq Co MHose Hall:. Excavated 65 CY. t s of earth for a sump and drainago ditchand filled same with 60 C.Y.Is of rock. Constructed top for grease trap, installoein-out flow pipes and covered entire tM with membrane. Co 0 0ommo Bunker:Rebuilt prosoent facilities requiring th6 erection of 26 columns,. placing 1500 boar,foot of 2x12 siWing, ezorcting 20 joists, filling and placing 2500 sandbags and,installing 8 daoh light fixtures. CIA Yard: Upgraded perimeter fence requiringthe replacing of 70 posts and placing 8 C.Y.ti of concrete. Repair of porinotorlighting required 1000 foot #2 Wire, 27 lamps, I fixture and 6 fuses. In additibn,2 electric motors wore installod, two hot oil heaters were rewired and conrocted,relocated a transformer and connected generators. Webb Quarry: Connected 200 IMgenerator and installed transformer for motor pool anc1 a water pump.. 25 feet ofI inch conduit w/100 feet of ronex cable was required. Made minor electricalropairse requiring 100 feet of 1,4 wire and the replacement of 61 bulbs. 'N0C Club:Electiical installation required 300 feet of rcnex cable, 12 electric junctionboxes, 90 foot of #4 wire and / flourescent firburos. Asphalt Plant: Replacediotor and inst-allod new generator. nginoor Hill Poriaeter: Porformod oloetrioal

upgrading using 4000 feet of #2 wire, 42 housing knobs, 14 light fixtures and 30rackn. In addition, foliage between jorlmetorý wire was burned, placed 30 rollsof concertina fastened with 50 pinkots, rebuilt one bunker and assembled and"placed 34 foot of 30 inch culvert, 30 foot of 18 Inch culvert and 20 foot of 48inch culvert. Barrel Fern: Constructed a 72 square foot loafing platform. Co CDay Room: Replaced canvas roof with corrugated shoot metal utilizing 216 linear'of 24 lImber and 90 shoots of 21x6' tin. Engioer Hill S i Pool. Installed

water storage tank with plumbing, added 25 C.Y.M's of fill to pool basoe and madeninor- repairs on damaged liner. Engineer Hill Pispensary: Installed 15 flouresconlftxturos. Eloctrical: Minod electrical repairs wore conauctod in tho 937th GroupSecurity Platoon, Co A4 to C, Co D., HHO anm 102nd Co (CS) area requir-ing theinstallation of a total of 2 utility polos,' 1100 foet of #2 wire, 32 flourosoentfixtures' 2 floodlights, a service entrance, 300 foot of #10 wire and 50 foot ofUonex Cable.

(5) mo Stora~o Facility. Ploiku: Hauled, spread, shaped and"compacted 14,820 C.Y. Is -of fill to complete tbo consruon df 16. xodtlVO borrsAdditionnl work accomplishod was the placing of a 30 inch culvert and the placing

3 C.Y.'s of concrete for two (2) hoadwalld.

ashat. (6) &Ato1oco: A parking lot was constructod; with 20 C0Y.1s ofasphalt, Building facilities were completed and transferred to the Sub-LroaEngineer.

(7) Uial ControL-PrUAon Mountain: Project was coploted and oquip-mont installation boeun by the using unit,% Finishing touches included theInstallation of a trap door and the construction of 110 foot of. tarred gutters witidown Spoats. Facility was transferrod to the Sub-Area Enginoor.


7-J

7I

LFOR OFFICIAL UEOLEGCFI.O?30 April 1969

SUBJECT:. 6peiational R~epor't of the 815th Engi~neer Battalion (Construction)tozi the Period Elnding 30 April 1§96s RCS CSFOfl - (65) (iII).

(8) Aircraft Maintenance Ua ilitieg-gimp Ho11'nav Completed theplacemqent and erection of all structu±'al steel, Fastened 29r000 linear feet of2A4 piuilihs and 52,600 squex~e -feet- of cebrrng'ated sh~ee.t mietal sidinig ýard installed J12 rd~liAxg.doors to complete the exterioir of the stucfture. The construction offilterior shops and offices and. the Installa tion of electrical facilities'havebeen initiated and are scheduled for completion during the next report period*

(9) Waer Sunvl Waciitieb: Work on MACV "Get Well" facilities-

Included the'drilling of three (3) wells.. placing one (1) prefabbed pump housepone (1) pumpi one (1) chlorinator, one (1) storage tank and constructing one (1)wat'ýr tower,

(00) %later Wall Fill Pointq: Construction vas completed and turnedover to the usi.ng unite Final construction required, the instrallatioui of two (2)chlorinators and two (2) pumps.

(11) Power DistrIbutIGA Syrstem - ýosg De~ots Project was completedto include all Internal hook-ups. Strung and eagged 500 teet of #2 AVG~ wireand made Iservico drops connecting the POL Farmj, ASP and various facilities InLog Deppi'.

(12) Cantonment and Misce~laneous Facilities. Pleiku Much of thework under thebo two project directivbs was accomplished in the-Log Depot.,Artillery Hill., Camp Wilson, Camp HoUpway and Engineeri Hill aroas% 62nd MaintBuilding: Completed concrete slab, footer and grease pit., erected coltm~ns and'prefabricatod roof trusses* Electrical facilities were also Installed, 937tWEngr Gp Security Platoon Billets: Comglcted one building and placed'and erectedwall pansls and roof trusses on the so~ond building. 167th Signal Býn Constructo

padforordrlysuplybuilding and foi~med floor sa.Log Centor Chapelponstrubtion completed to include insteallation of sitainoed glass windows, windowlouvers., trim and staining of exterior4 Project involved the construction 6f an"1tA" frame de~s-'gi. chapel with adjoining fellowship heal requiring, 50 Got.'s, ofponcrete for footers and the floor slab, 2020 linear feet of 2x stidngi 1500pquare feet of roofing metal and 100 sheots of mahogany paneling. 330th EM

4 Pillets: The nearly completed construction of 3 buildings required the forming ofýuilding padsý, placing concrete and erecting trusses and wall panels with roofingand siding. Electrical installationb are presently being made. 62nd Maint 3m4sTire Shop: Concrete slab was placed., wall panels and framing crected and 6orrugatod roofing placed. Leg Center Service Club: Construction of service club wescompleted to include stago platform and exterior patio. Camp Holloway. Boqis:tFour buildings were cemplotod and one building requires tho installation of

eletrca fciltis.Reaining BM t' oro scheduled for completion during thd Anext rejiorting period. Camp Holloway Wash Dnckst Two _(2) wash racks wore staftedand completed, Maintenance Shops-Camp. Holloway; Two (2)-.2 bay maintonancoshops were started. Work consistcAl of proparinig sub-base, pouring floors and '>erection of' biuilding francs and placing roofing. Facilities are ;scheduled forcompletion during theo neat report period. 143ra Signal Battalion MaintenanceBuilding: Work consisted of preparing subbase, pouring floor; verticalconstruction and Installation of electrical for one (1)-4 ba$' zaintonaht*e shop.Camp Wilson Wash Rlacks: Work consisted 6f preparing sub-base, poui~pd n

7


4 ~.4

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY30 April 1969

6UBJCT: Ipeýtl oral Report ot the 81 ~th .Sngifieeik Battalion (Conbtruction)orhePeriod nig3 Apimi 1969, RbS C~SF0R, (65) (R~I).

p~.iirbifig installation fox, ix (6) Vash 1tacks4 P'ot the abo~e pr-ojedts approidmatel,1050 C.Y.Ia of concrete, ~6OOso il 150 IXY.' of 3" izinug Iock# 1200feet 'of #1/6 wire and 850 feet of #2/0 wvire was twad.

(13) Tactiegl Securit and OPerations- Pao) lites I Artillor*r All

connections., framing, 11 poles., mounting 14 secondary racks and sagging 111,000

feet of secondary wire. Facility was completed and transferred to the'Sub-kreaj ~ ng areer Artillery Hill Power Distribution System: Dr~11 4 84+ holes, framedj and set 84 poles, ran 50 down guys, set 28 anchors and rat, strung and sagged

of-concrete placed., Project was completed and transferred to the Sub-Area

Engineer, Perimeoter Upgrading: During this report period, perinte upgia~ingwas performed at installations including the Class IV Yard, Enginieer Hill, andWebb Quarry. Work consisted of placing 3000 feet of barbed wire, upgrading existIng guard bunkers and constructing one nev guard tower.

(14) LMBC Sunor-t Facilities: Formed and placed slab and greasepit for a 4 bay maintenanice shed requiring 47 WeY.Is of 6oncrete. Completed theelectrical wiring of four maintenance buildings. Hauled, spread and compacted4+550 C.Y.ts of filland 935 C.Ye's of rocks assembled and installed 80 feet of 1f-inch-culvert. and applied 5800 gallons of peneprime in to construction of hard-stand. for the 4h S&T Yard.. 5251 S.Y.' s of hardstand was Paved with asphal.te

0(5) Interim Aefar. Comp~lex: Constructed 30 linear foot of roofershad* Remaining 34 feet are to be constructed during the next report period.

(16) 'Inst~all~ato Storm~ Warehouses: Made preliminary electricalinstallations. Completion is scheduled during the next report period.

1' 448 nch (17) istrial free Hqlinor: Excavated and f ormed. headwalis f or-;-8 Ichoulvers 6-36 Inch culv~rts and 4-24 inch culverts, 50 C.Y.'s of

concrete was placed for headwalls.'

(18) WO W§ W~gQm6t: Continued work on 5200 equare f~oot BnWebuilding. Workc consisted of the erection of wall panels, truses, roofing,

siding and the instal).ation of electrical facilities.' nxteriot construcationconsisted of the placing of concro1ie for 10 door pads., 2 sets of stops, aMd theconstruction of 270 feet of duck walk. D Co Orderly Room: The constructionof.D Co's orderly room, was started and completed. Canvas roofing on existingbuilding vas, replaced -with corrug,,ated shoot metal.

(19)- 71st FE"v.%mtion Hospital Rov_2kLnts:. Fabricated 300 rovotmontpwoan Solf-holp ~porsonnel were utilizod to accobn; oh tho construction andfilling of 1200 linear feet of 3 foot wide revetments.

(20)- Avation. S$artFcliis DMBC: Completed hook...up ofelectrical. facilities requirinig 2100 foet of conduit and 5800 feet of wiring


FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEMOOP 30 April 1969SUBJECT Oporaticola Report of the 81 5t.1i. %ginoor liattaliorl (Construction)I I for the Pqricd Ending 30 April 1969, Rcs wort, .; (6s) (kx):

(21) Muletrical ILb,-ra =g: The up~rading of oloctrichl f'aciltiesrequired 3,250 fdet' of wiring, 140 rocepticlei, and 86 fi~ctues for camp Mdoll~owaand 2225'feet of wire, 4+1 receptaples ant, 41 fixtores fdi*Artillery Hi11L

(22) DS_ Mainte~a~nce gacility: Prepared pad for the constructionof an 814303 warehouse. Pad required hauling, grading and compacting 1260 C.Y.'sof fill.,

(23) Log Elonot. Ma;&ntenance and ASP Facilities: 62nd Maint, Bn_Storage Building: Built up pad., excaaed for and P3ýaced concrete, for 4heconstrucation of 24 footers and a 40x10 slab. 75 C.Y.ts of concrete was requit'edHavlod, spread and compacted 450 CJ.Y's of fill for pad andl placed 15 C.Y.18 ofconcrete for a 20x10 slab anO erected wall panels, Truck Terminal: H{auledand compactod 200 C.Y.'s of fill for tire shop, and started construction 6f a201x50t facility to include sub-base preparation., placing concrete ?or floor anderestin building frame and placing tin on roof. Facilitie's are scheduled forcompletion during the next reporting period.

do Log~istics: h Engineer Cls Vyard of thsbattalion handledan average of 75 tons of issnod and received material daily* This included bulktotals of 20,000 bags of cement, 15,000 barrels of asphaLlt products and, approi.-,imately 3-2 million board. feet of luaber, The operation- of the Kontum I~sphaltPlant nocessitatod a daily delivery rate of P.80 bkrrelg. Additionially, approx-Xatl 1,.500 se~.arate items of engineer supplies were receivedp stoea. anidissued by th, .04 section,. Other battalions and separate units, A unto, andvarious civic action programs received continued support. Ificluded in civic,action support was the distribution of empty asphalt barrels, salvaged lumber,packting crates cnd damaged or brokon bags of cement. Improvement to the Class IVyard inaludec' perimeter upgrading repairs and'electrical upgrading* The Class IVyard was hit by a wind' and hail storm which completely destroyed the cement ware-,house, A new 4Otxl4Ol w~arehouse is presently umdor constructibn und~er .bhA PAMEreplacement const~ruction program.. Critical shortages of I "x6", I "x8ft and i*z1O"lumber have prevented completion of several projects; noapretszblr-I ~ ~supply exists in country. aprn iebor.Equipmenb received includea 1 Curb Extrudier., 2 Hopkcins Hot Oil Heaters,.'I Chicago-Pnwumatic Track Drill, 1 Tractor with Backhoe., 2 Hyster SegmentedCompactors, I Hystor Vibratory Roller (Towed), 1 Hyster Vibrator Roller (Seif-Propelled), 2 flayGo Vibratory~ Rollers (Solfe.Propoflod), *1 More Rotary Sweofoz'1-.600 C71,1 Air Compressor, 4+ Caterpillar Tractors, I Rotary fteeper (Towed.),anO 1 International Asphalt Distributor which were issued to individual compodniorof this battalion.

Go MEancnnc The battalion was successful in maintaining thecritical deadline rate at about five P'ercont(5%) while the overall deadline rateaveraged about four porcont(4%). A major' problem has been a shortage of engineezequipment repair parts. This shortage .resultod in a delay in removring certainitems of cquipwent from deadline. T6 partially solve this problem,. vehiclesscheduled for retrograde were frequentlyt used t'o obtain noeqed critical parts,(In order to do this, close coordiinatiohi had to be naintairiQd with the rotiourtftfacility and eff0etive monitoring proeoures had to be used*., In addition,9 a

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY1 .4

~. U.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYGCE 30 Apri~l 1969

SUBJECT: Operational Report of the 815th Engineet' Battalion (Construction)for the Period. Z-nding 30 April 1969,9 ROS OSFOR -(65) (RI)a

shortage of maintenance personniel was alleviated only, at the end of tho rb-portir

f- Civc Action: Tho battalion civic action team increased. it~s activitduring the. period. The team distributed. educational materials., clothes., toys,health aids, agricaultural kits and carpenter ki~ts and. assisted in the construetifof dependent ho~using facilities, water towers,, bLurnout latrines etc.., at nearby 44

ARVN compbumds and' various villages. In aa.ettions, classes were given on healthj,first aid., farming,. cat~tl and' hog care and. in the use and maintenance of U.S. -made tools )md- equipa~ent, The Battalion Surgeon, three medics., and the civicaction team provided much medical assistance to local villages and tho city ofPleiku.

g.Vietnamese - American Helations and Joint Po .kcts: Pleiku Bypass:During this re-port period., the ARXTN portion of the Ploiku Bypass was officiallyopened. The 815th Engineer Battalion (Const) rendorod support to the ARVNengineers on the 4+.4 LM section of roadway.for which the ARVN's had. rosponsibil4-ity. Equipment support included scarifying and compacting equipment for eartb..'Work and 1.2 KM of raicmway was blade paved with asphalt from the, BattalionI, -. 4.CIA Yard. In addition, 2400 C.Y.'s of rock was issued to the ARVN's for LOCupgrading. Equipmont Support: The 20th ARVN Engineer Group pr'ovided equipmentsup cort dizing this report period. A crane was provided for use at the WebbQuarry Crusher Operations and dump truck support was rondored in support of the 'V CIA Yard Asphalt Plant.

Crusher 0operations: Local National Crows render daily assistance at theWebb Quarry/C.'-usher CompDlex.* Various crews are emaloyod daily and consist of adri'-ling crew (for blasting), dumip truck operators,, and a crusher oporationscrew.

.1 ~General Construction: The 815th Enginoor Battalion (Const) employsLocal National Crews consisting of more than 500 ski~ed and semi-skiliodU laborers. 'Among the'v.-rious ci'ews emplbyed by this battalion are carpe-nter,j e~ectrical, plmbing, concrete, forning, asphaltic paving and crusher'operators

wbich render invaluable assistance on many projects assigned to and constructed* ~by this battalion.

I' ~FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

/04

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY30 April 1969

SUBJECT: dpertti6nal Report of the 815th tnginber Battalion (Construetion)for the Period Ending 30 April 1969, 2ROS OSFOR -'(65) (RI).

Section II: Lessons Learnedle Correction of Wared Structural Steel Parts:

a. Problem: In the recent construction of a pre-engineered 175ft x,190 ft Aircrafb Maintenance Hangar, numerous structural steel members were foundto be warped or 1ent. This damage was attributed to enemy rockets, carelessstorage with members having been "placed" on top of each other, and carelessness5in unloading the members. The use of a blow torch and a highly trained operatorseened to be- the obvious solution but these resources were not available. Itwas also concluded that the intense heat could effect the strength of the memberas well as representing a tedious and time 6onsuming process.

b. Solution: It was found that by blocking'up the steel meombers at thedamaged areas and using the bucket on a front loader, the bucket being full ofsand, the members could be accurately bent back into th•ir original shapdo Thebucket was placed over the critical point of damage and then lowered by power,therefore loaeing the beam and bending it back to its desired shape. By movingthe blocking to various locations on the member, compound bends could be repaired.

2. Installation of Rolling Doors on Maintenance Hangars:

a. Problem: The installation of heavy rolling doors across thefront of a recently completed pro-engineared maintenance hangar required the -use of railroad type rails which were not available. Various types of structuralstool wore considered to obtain the proper load carrying capability as well asguide forms, Angle iron of the ap-ropriate dimension was suggested to be placed y .on top of a stool channel" imbedded in a concrete footer as was Indicated by the ,•original design. Hlowever, the propeOr .materials were not available. Thuss• an •

alternate solution had to be found.

b. Solution: The "U" shap.ed picket was found to have tho proper profile 4for good track and roller alignment. A concreto footer was placed exercisingstrict control on developing a finished surface of uniform elevation. A heavyplate of J- inch steool ws thon cut, welded ean- anchored to hold and support the'ail. A line was then obtained to indicate the centerline of the track assembly.

The railing itself consisted of a drill rod oircumscribed inside the "U1 shaped4.ckot to carry the vertical load, This asscmbly was in turn weldod to stool

Plato proving to be a very effective substitute for railroad. railing, See sketch#

Incl 2.

3,0 Sand liix versus F. M ix in Asphalt Plants.

a. Statement: - :ough not a Problem, this battalion in the past hashad the occasion to use both sand and ranufactured fines in the 1production of itsasphaltic concrete. The use of fines .ocossitatod as a result of sand convoysbeing unable to keep the asphalt plant resupplied and sand convoys beingrestricted as to the nrmber of hauls they could make on' a daily basis. Anevaluition of the comparative merits of these two asph4tic concrete mixes asobserved in our production is given in paragraph (b).:

II USE O.LFOR OFFICIAL UJSE ONLY

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYS30 April 1969

""pe .rat Ao~l Report of the 815th Engineer Battalion (Construction)

fir the Period Ending 30 April 1969, ROS CSFOR - (65) (RI).

be Eva2uation: The properties of the asphalt produced very quitenoticeably with a change in the type Qf fines used .(manufactured fines or sand).Such quantities as nixing tines, asphalt content, laydown times, aid stabilityare related to, and dependent upon, the typo of fines used. In general, a sandiX is more uniform in' that properties of the mix do not vary greatly with each

load of sand, However, it should be noted that varation in the dust contentbetween loads of manufactured fines do affect the asphalt product. a) Mixingtimes - Normal sand mix production is approximately 100 tons per hour as comparedWith 75 tons por hour for a fines mix, indicating a decrease in nixing times forSand mixes. b) Asphalt content - Usually the AP-3 content is 5% to 5.5% byWeight vhoiusngmsand. A fizaa 3z oqufos an AP.3 o6fltaltof 6.5% to7% byweight. The presence of a higher percentage of dust particles in the manufacturedfines increases the surface area of particles that must be coated. This makesan increased AP-3 content necessary when using manufactured fines in producingasphaltic concrete. c) Laydown times - The time required to place the twotypes of mixes is about the same. However, an excessive amount of dust in amanufactured fines mix will result in an increase in the time required to rollthe final product. d) Stability - Although the stability of a normal sand mixmeets specifications, that of a good fines mix is usuaXly 14 - 2 times as high.in conclusion., it appears that greater stability is obtained from a fines mix

but is accomplished by an increase in asphalt content and an increase in mixiro' androlling times. The detornining factor will of course be the availability ofmaterials and LOG construction mast be planned accordingly, based on what the unitconsiders the most important characteristics in its asphaltic concrete produadqn,

4* -bc•eiont VW&sh Ro.in• of Asphaltic Pavoemnt:

a. Problem: Cato often, convoy traffic makes paving operations onshort sections of roadway quito dangerous and difficult. Rocently•, while wort~gon %.49E, the laydown crew began to roll a section of roadway with a rubber tireroller when a convoy started thwough the area. The area was sonewhat restrictedand after several "close calls"• the paving operation equipment was removed fromtho road* A solution for finish rolling the road while-convoys more present was"definitely needed.

b. Solution: To insure proper compaction, the crow wetted the roadsection thoroughly with water and opened it to convoy traffic (after broakdoinr1olling by a stool wheel). Inspection of the section later disclosed that thisOas an excellent expedient for rolling short strochos of asphalt pavement. It ishoped that in the future when it is known that convoys ýill be passing the pavingoperations areap equipment" an be moved off the roadwayp thus decreasing the

$ possibility of an -accident,. and convoy compaction -used as expedient asphaltpavement rolling on those short sections.

5. Changint Insulators on Low Voltage Power Systons Agains the Stra§W ofthe Conductor:

"a. Problem: It quite often beComes necessary to change insulators thathave becone danag6d or.broken on secondary racks of a power distribution or


4I-

J4

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLYEG~f-OP30 4prL 1969

3U1JDT00oeratioral 1Re-_-t of the .61.5th 7.ng~dfik flttaU-64 (Const u~tion)fOr tho Period flncing, 30 April 19.0690, *ws C~1I5f -.16 ) (m~)

security lihigpyster. . quite often, %onsie-erable tine and ManioWer is 11astedI by having to ralieve tens.'-.n in tbe tfre and then resaffgin- bolt cde Osonnetos

be Solfition: Through the use of ttro chain hoists (Coffin. Hoists) andfbur-wiro gripsp a very elf:?ective operation for changing insulators can beattained* The wire _grIT~s cnd hoists shovtld be arranged as s1hotn or- inclosure3# makding sure thi vdre grin~s are a ni~uiof 3 feet from'the pole. As thehoists are turned, tonsi~on tiill be loosened in pmoer cable, thez'~by releasing thepresaure on t~he insulators, When enoug.h slack has boon dbtal~edo the rod, cvn beeasily lifted from the rack and insulators removeed from the rod. After repa-ac~in#

original positions.,6. Cutting o. Cr aTe Ti:

A a. Problema: DurinCj; the recent construction of a 175fx190' pi-'e.iabricitedaircraft, maintenance hangar., the problem of cutting approximately 5% of the 50,000square feet of corrugateed. tin for roofing ane siing 'i.as encouantered. Nwurouspieces required detailed cuts fVor proper fitting and. alignment around the Btruc-.tural meuidbers of tie hangar. it scomod it iould be both tedious and. Impracticalto cut t'he t-in In the conventional manner using either shaear- eutter~s or amesharp 5natr'imezft such as an ax'e blad~e

be So•lution: The use of a pneumatic circular saw (S!cflt Saw) provedto be an efficiLent so).ution. It was founc' by placing the blade backlwads in thesaw? (therefore causing t*he curved part of the blade rather than the jaggee partof the blade to do the cuttlnr%) A uniformi ane clean cut coule be made. Timesaved over the conventional methoe of cutting tin vas in excels olf 70,s ane inaddition, waste vas eli~mtod as all. cuts performed 1?ere as desired.

7. C~v'l i-ýfnirs:

a. Problem: Because the battalion is centered in a densoly populatedarea and because It emiploy,.s nore local nationals than any similar size unit in theI central highlands,, a-vigorous civic action pro~am :,.s required to ensure localgood itdll. The batta~lon is not authorized by TC to maintain a civi--c actionteam*

'b, Solution: Other resources wtere d~rain doin to provicee a 5 membeor civiC'Iaction team heaeded' by a coWinsioned officer. This teenl has clone much towaredmaintaining good wildl in tho area. Of particular note is the fact thiat thie team

4has recently managed to prodluce 'tangible benefits for the battalion as a resultof its e."ortse 'Notable in this respect is thd loan or an armored personnelcarrier by a local ARVN i~it after the battolion civic action teanii assisted inconstruction of ARVN de'enanentl housing. The APO is of great valuc4 in the currentd'evelom.:ent of a tacticdl operating base it the new Ailarry the battalion is nowopening. Further, the tean-, has gained much useful1 informatiozi as to enemyactivity from local nationals takintg afttttage of frequ6nt NEDCAPS. Thotfgh thecurrent shortage of engineer officers is bpcodning acute,. the use- of an officer as

$5 pays enough dividends to Jutf .cnlgsc procedure.

FOR OFIILUEONLYEGC-V,.OP3u April 1c69

SUBj-CT, operational Report of tile 615th Trngineor B3attalion (Construction)for the Perioe E1ncing 30 AprilJ 1969j, RC-3 cs:O (65) WR).

amt.r C frDmp'uCk on,=g.e:

a. Problem: The 585tfi r.nglneez' Comp any (I~urp Truck) ims specificallyattadhpd co the 81 5th jiCinecr Battalion (Construction) for the purpose of haliaUnmaterials in the support of this batt!%lion' s LOC ef.fort. The hauling or muchbeededi'hanO Lune rook for the proeuction of asphalt has been its pn'imary mlsoioneTiven so, nattorial hauling by the 585th has on occasion re-presontee the liinitingfactor In owvs-all paving proceuction', In analysing this problem,, it has becomeapparent thwb the "culpr'it" is the fraouri delays in !.oaeing at materia stockospiles,, resulting in a not c'ecrease in total daily trips. As dmrp truck support Icritical In any LOG ef'rt., a solution must be obtainec'. to assist in the rawpidaoco wplis23ext o' their mission.

b. Solution: scoop iaeoars are essential to the accomplishment of anydup truck mission, Bly au-thorizing one scoop loader and one low beed with tractorper platoon by-TCE,, t~he efx~ectivenesa of c'n~p truck com~panies coA0c groat17. toincreased, With scoop ldaders organic to the dunp truc% company, unnecessaryc'elays will not odcvr -while trucks iait f~r the arrival of a scoop loaceor from asupnort i.mit, The front loac'or will aliways be present at the loading site. In

addition, the diznp truck company can itself s-hift tho front 3.oaccor *to tho locat~ic.ofor loaelng as determineed b7 mission priority, thus deerbasing the time delay forcooreination of cocuipment to several sites. On occasion, i-hen more than onescoop lodaer vas made avai'.ablo for acme' 1katls (ane this occurred very rarely)the resultts vere extremel.y bonefical. It is hoped that some thoug-ht vill begiven to authorizing scoon loaeors for dtmp truck comipanies an6 experience Illnshow its advantages. in vAdition, as new MCA front loaders arrive in the ca.Tisane.one trill be attachetL to the 50w5th rhap Trtidk Company. Results will bo reportedin the next quarterly report.


-4,'

4GFN0 30 April 1969

SUBJECT: Operational Report of the 815th Engineer Battalion (Constructi~h)for tbe Period Ending 30 April 1969,, RCS OSFOR -10(5.) (RI)

SECTION I112 Popdr OjEtU

1,* MCA Eggiinment: Daring this reporting period, much of the long awaitedaxsd highly touted off-tha-shelf civilian construction equipment began to arrive.In spite of sonie initial frustrations due to minor "bugs",p t~mporary parts and

litertureshc;:-tages., and 'unusually heavy "comimand, interest",. first indications arcEthat the equipa.ient will definitely improve both the 4uantity and the quality ofLOC construction in Vietnam. In some cases,. in fact, I-CA equipment arrived In thenick of time and spelled the difference between continued asphalt predliction andplant shutdown. The use of a new MCA H91&ghot oil heater to replace a defootivc

HiWyheater on the asphalt plant that we borrowed from t he Air Force is a casein point.

(adExtolling the virtues of equipment whose abilities had already been proven intecivilian oonstruction industry is hardly necessary; however, a significant(adon my part, at least., totally umforsoen) advantage may be seen, into Impress.

Sion the MCA equipment has made -)n the officers and mon of the battalion. .,On thepart of many Junior officers, p~.rtlcularly some who havo worked in the civilianconstruction industry,. there are Indications of increased faith in the military,system in general and the Corps of Engineers in particular. This cannot holp butImprove retention rates for qualified young officers. On the part of the, troops,there is groat pride in being designated operators of a monstrous yellow behemothwhose earth s-haking proesence is felt for some distance or whose waffle-like com--.pacted path is mute testimony tb its efficacy. Sovoral recent extension's may bpattributed, at least indirectly, to tho presence of the MCA equipmient.

j ~2. Civli~anization Eropram: the battalion has boon organized undor WOE5-118G for approximately six months., the intended affect of the i.ftO beinig tioreplace military men with skilled civilians whenever practicable.' Untortunatelyphowever, certain problems incident to operating under the civilianization programor. worthy of not6:

a. Lfqrk.In Hous: The typical local national works only during day"light houwb and Insists en his right to frequent local., nationa~ln religiouholidays. Thus, when critical sk ill s are required at night or on civilianholidays, an entire operation maiy have to stop prematurely or continue Inafficiontm.ýy until Mdtlld wor-cers report f'or. euty. it has atrc=dy become appcirmt that,

is impossible to function effectively when all1 slots for a particular skill are

-filled by civilians; the lesson learned being to ma-intain at loast a siceloton crow

b, Lack of gloctr~icanA: of particular note with respect to tbo lessonnoted In subparagraph 2a above is the fact that !4TOIE 5-1ISG authorizes 'no militaryelectricans in the battalioin. We have found however, that it is absolutelyessential to maintain a crow 0-f qualified olectricans to provide responsive supportfor the yriviad electrical sYsters we rmust maintai~n (e.g., two all-.cloctoric aszphalt

] ~plants, three pori'mbtor lighting, systems., l.arge rock crusher complexes, shops,ind the like) and, on occasion, to perform new work not feasiblo for accomplialbmeni

~ycivilian employees. (As an example of the latter,. civilian eleetricans reofusedtoe work off 40 foot high structural steel .in a new hangar on the basis that their6ontracts didn't require it).


-- A

FOR UFFICIAL USE ONLYEOCE-W 30 April 1569SUBMECTs Operational Report of the 815th Engineer Battalion (Construction)

for the Poriod Ending 30 April 1969, RCS CSFOR - (65) (RI),

c. e br.•ujov Milit.l v Dutaes: Because the requiromont for seoUrity isOontinuouS, tho eary heavy gurd 'oquiremcnt in.reased for individual tr6ops

as th civila•in ation pro~gaua took affect. At present, a man is expected to pullgftrd every seennd or third nighnt, though he is given no free time to conpensate6

de jffect of Freeze on Hiring: Unfortunately, a directive freezinghiring, of certain new civilian employees is now in effect at the sane time as newMCA equipment arrives (along with the requirement for operators and additionalsupport personnel). The problem is particularly acilte for a unit which relocates(as did Delta Company during the report period). In such " ease, old employees areusually reluctant to mamo and now employees cannot be hired, leaving the unit, to

accomplish its mission without sufficient manpower resources.

e. Ouality of Civ•lian Efftort: It is important to note that none of theabove coements hre intended to deprecate the efforts of our civilian employees.On the contrary, the civili.ns now employed by this battalion are performing theirduties in an outstanding manner, Not only are they generally well trained in theirparticular fields, but also they provide a great deal of the continuity needed tooffset the frequent military personnel changes.

3. i_•haical Consultants: In addition to the valuable services performedby locally -rod civilians,, there is yet another civilian crew whose exploits aregenerally tusung, but whose worth has been proven tine and again in my battalibn.I refer to most technical experts employed by Quinton Engineers, several of whomare quartered with my unit and others, who willingly come to the scene of aproblem. They have becoe so much a part of this battalion that it is difficultto imagine operating some of our sophisticated equipmont or plants without theirsage advice. If there ever has been any doubt as to their efficacy or as to theodvisability of perpetrating the policy of providing contract consultants, thisbrief mention of then will servo as a vote of confidence from at least onebattalion cemmandor.

4. Identification of Griical Personnels For the past year, the attached542k Power Distribution Detachment has upgraded electric povor supply in thePleiku area and a continuing requfr6ment exists for that type of effoit. The6riginal team was trained as a unit, arrived in the theater as a unit, and rotatedto the states almost an masse. It was our understanding th-t filler personnel hadbeen or were being trained at Ft. Bolvoir for the 542nd and like teams. quite byccident a man was assigned recently to the battalion with an olootriciufis MOS

(note 2b above). The man advised us that he had attended the special course forpower dist-ibution, but there was no entry on his records to so indicate. Furtherchocicng revealed he bad attonded the course and, further, he identified nnoVherindividual - then being usod ns a jeep driver -- who had also attended thecourse, but whose records also did not reflect that fact. into cxporience hasprompted us to request through responsible staff officers that all graduates ofthe couise be traced, identified, and properly assigned, The lesson learned,,46wever, is that personnel records should be carefully chocked and post(e before

in individual leavos CONUS.Along the some lines, a sorely needed maintenance warrant officer was roevetlS

assignee to the battalion and shortly thereafter was medically ovacu.ted to Japan


lb.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY 1ECCE-OP, 30 April 1969SUBJECT: 0pdrational Report of the 815th Engineer Battalion (Construction)'

fow tho keriod Ending 30 April 1969., RCS OSFOR - (65) (RI).

for a nilnor operation which could havo and clearly should have been performod inCORUS prior to departing. The individual concerned had had the oporatt.on aohbduledin the U.S., but when the militnry hospital concornad postpin'ed the oporation,his porsonnel section refusoed to postpone tho port callo The net effoct on-mybattalion,0 of course., ib that we continue to bo without the critical services ofthe individual concrarned for another 30 to 60 days., but now we can't requisition areplacomept because ho is slated to return to the battalion.

5. §ecur t: During this report poriod., most of the assets of an asphaltplatoon were lost as e result of an enemy sapper attack. Most of the lessonslearned wrill doubtless be detailed by thc unit responsible for security at thatlocation, but the largest single deterrent to such attacks is., in my opinion, anadequate perimeter lighting system. Barbed wire is easily penetrated,, the ene4 iran expert at neutralizing trip flares, and he moves with praftiped stealth. Unlosehe can be scen attempting to penetrate a perimeter, it is entirely possible that hecan penetrate it -undetected (as ims the case at the scone of the deo4se4 of ourKontum, Asphalt Plant), In the establishment of our new quarry sites, we are Malang,

& every attempt to procure the necessary generators and other materiasl to providea proper security lighting system.

6.* P rodj~ucts: My battalion currently consumes 500 to 1000 bags. of CL-on-cidaily, 10..000 or more gallons of AP-3 and. up to 52,000 gallons of other asphalticproducts, This high consumption rate has existed for the past two years and willdoubtlessly 'owtinue. While bulk shipment and storage of cement and asphaltproducts requires some high initial outlay., it wou3d aj~ear 'to bo .ud~h moreAeconomical in the long run,. particularly in ý;roas where high constapption ratesexist and are program-med to continue, It her1dly seems necessary to point out thatthe frequent br.ndling of cement in its long Journey to the user causesphenomen~ally high losses diko to broken bags, partial hydration,. thiofts hnd the 'alike. The problem. appoarss at least to this observer., to be coimaon in South Viotoptam and the'amount oi' nrjnoy involved appears sufficiently largo to justify~ studyon the pert,. perhaps.* of the "Ingineor Strtbic Studi~os Groupý tho UD0 PM1(inerAgency or some other similar organization.

LTCt Cfl,Connranding3 md

as

DISTRIBUTION':

5.. Co., 937th Engr Gý (C)., ATTN: EGc-0?s, AnO 963188- OG 18th Engr Blos, ATTN: AVBC-C, APO 96377

CG o; US.AECV (P)s, ATPTN: AVCC-PO, APO 964913- CGs, TJSARV, ATTNl: AVE-C-DHs, APO 963752- CINC-GSAIMM, A"T-'-7.,(OW20AO 652- CING-OBRPAC, ATTN: GM-T.. -1P0 96558 /17I- CO, D AXv TTN: 'HistoricalI Officor., USLES$ Ft. flelvoir,. Va- 22060

12-815h Egr n ~FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

EGO-OP (30 April 69) 1st IndStIBJECT: Operational Report of the 815th Engineer Battalion (Const) for the

Period Ending 30 April 1969 (RCS-CSFOR.-65)

DA, HEAQUARTERS, 937TH ENGINEER GROUP (CCMBAT),, APO 9631S., 22 M4ay., 1969

TO: Comnanding General., 18th Engineer Brigade., ATTN: AVBO-d~p APO 96377

V I1. The Operational Report - Lessons Learned of the 815th Engineer Battalion(Construction) has been reviewed by this headquarters and is considered.to-be an excellent account of-the 815th Engineer Battalion's activities drnthe reporting period ending 30 April 1969.

2. This headquarters concurs Vith all the observations and recommendations,of the Battalion Conmander.

W.G .XIATZCOLONEL, CECommanding

AVBC-BC (30 Apr 69) 2nd Ind

SUBJECT: Operational Report of the 815th Engineer Battalion (Construction)for the Period Ending 30 April 1969, ROS cSFOR - 65 (Ri)

DA, Headquarters, 18th Engineer Brigade, APO 96377 4 JUN 1969

TO: -Commanding General, U.S. Army Vietnam, ATTN: AVHGC-DST, APO 96375

1., This headquarters has reviewed the Operational Report - Lessons Learnedfor the 815th Engineer Battalion (Construction) as indorsed by the 937thEngineer Group (Combat). The report is considered to be an excellentaccount of the Battalion's activities for the reporting period.

2. This headquarters concurs with the observations and recommendations ofthe Battalion and Group Commander, with the following exception:

Reference: Section II, paragraph 4. Nonconcur. Asphalt compaction byconvoy traLfic results in uneven compaction over the road surface. In addi-tion rocks and dirt are carried on'o ard compacted into the relatively softasphalt.

W. ORRISSColonel,0 CE

Commanding

OF:937th Engr Gp8!5th Engr Bn

Stt

AVHGC-DST (30 April 1969) 3d IndSUBJECT: Operational Report of the 815th Enigineer Battalion (Construction)

for the Period Ending 30 April 1969,, ROS CSFOR-65 (Ri)

HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARM4Y, VIETNAM, APO San Francisco 96375 2 1 JUN JOB9TO: Commander i.n Chief, United States Arn~rj Pacific., ATTN: GPOP-DT.,

APO) 96558

1,* This headquarters has '-v"iewed the Operational Report-Lessons Learnedfor the quarterly period ending 30 April 1969 from Headquarters., 815thEaigineer Battalion (Construction).

2. Comments follow:

a. Reference item concerning lack of electriciianss section IIIs Para-graph 2b; concur. USARV forwarded a request for a pen-and-ink 14TOE cha~ngeto USARPAC asking for deletion of six (6) carpenters from MTOE 5-1 18G and'~authorization for six (6) electricians. Action is. still pending on this'request.

b,. This headquarters notes that the basic ORLL is not sub~mitted inthe format required by AR 525-15 and USARV Regulation 525-15 * Unit willbe notified,

FOR THE CCVAMANDER:

W. C. ARNTZ1C?,AGC

V O fun: aalstant Adiutaut Geoe

71 81 5th Engr Bn18th Engr Bde

--A

GPOP-DT (30 Apr 69) 4th IndSUBJECT: Operational Report of HQ, 815th Engineer Battalion (Construct-

tion) for Period Ending 30 April 1969, RCS Cs~ac-65 (Ri)

HQ, US Arny, Pacific, APO San Francisco 96558 19 JUL •

TO: Assistant Chief of Staff for Force Development, Department of theArri, Washington, D. C. 20310

1. This headquarters has evaluated subject report and forwarding indorse-ments and concurs in the report as indorsed.2. Reference paragraph 2a, 3d Indorsement. Change to MT-E 5-118G was

approved by Department of the Armr in DA Message 910800, 292005 May 1969.US Arnyr, Pacific Message 21222. 0600209 June 1969, notified US Ariny,Vietnam of DA approval and poinoed out the constraints pertairing toavailability of qualified electricians.

Fa THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF

7

D. A. TUCKERCPT. AGCASST AG

SOFG furn:

CG USARV

21I

21i

S. ... *

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY IOrganization of the 81 5~h- -ngineer Batt~alion (Construction).

a. The following units are presently assigned or attached to the battalion.,

(1) Headquarters anc' Headqueaiters Cbmpany (Construc~ion) 5-.116G(2) A Company (Equipmient and M-aintenance) 5..117G

(3) 2R Company (Construction) 5..118G

(4 CConpany (Construction) 5-118SG

(5) D Company (Construction) 5-118G1

(6) 102nd Engineer Company (Construction Support) -5-114D)

2 (7) 49th Engineer Detschment (wellDrilling,) 5-500.-.Team CG)(8), 542nd Engineer Detachment (Power I1no) 5-5000-Tean IM

(19) 585th Engineer Company (Dump Truck) 5-i42G

bi, The following unit was attached to the battalion during-this report~per~iod.

1 (1) 588th Engineer Detachment ("Well Drilling/Core Drilling)

c. The ±' 1..owing unit is unclor the operational control (dPCON) ofVthe batrtalion.

(1) 509th Engineer Company (Panel Bridge) 5-47G

Fr FIILUEOLjnl1 a

IT I

3 FOR ONLY

.SALVAG EL SI eI'

11ASTE P*J I--QJCETwrL.E

CONCRETE ¶Foo-h1E\ILncl 2


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HQ, 8AC5FtR DAE ahngierBttlon, C 01 O FIILUEOL

FOOCneld30 April 1962 27S.OR TROCT T RGATIT M.OIIATR$REOTNUBR

b. PROECRITI NO. 692286o tpt edletev dt.

C. 9UbO.S OFTHet REPOR NOMdt (Anyat othet nubesthtmaeesige

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k3,BSRC

41

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