Graphic: US Air Cavalry Troop, 1965 (Patreon)

Graphic for the U.S. Army Air Cavalry Troop prior to significant combat experience in Vietnam.

The purpose of this unit was to extend the reconnaissance and security capabilities of divisional Armored Cavalry Squadrons (the recon unit for most division types) and formed the basis of Air Cavalry Squadrons for Airmobile Divisions as well. As of 1965, the only Airmobile Division was the 1st Cavalry Division.

The troop (company-sized) consisted of an HQ (company commander and his posse), Flight Operations Section (the element that controlled troop operations), an Aero-Scout Platoon (primary scouting and anti-tank element), an Aero-Rifle Platoon (infantry scouts with organic airlift), Aero-Weapons Section (utility helicopters with rockets, later attack helicopters), and a Service Platoon (supply and maintenance). The main elements of the troop were the Whites (aero-scouts), Blues (aero-rifles) and Reds (aero-weapons) which could either be mixed (like creating "pink" teams out of the whites and reds) or grouped at a higher level (like combining all of the Air Cav Squadron's Blues into a since aero-rifle troop). Unlike the infantry battalions of airmobile divisions, the Air Cavalry Troop had organic airlift and could function as a high-readiness response force for the division without being augmented by divisional aviation.

The mix of helicopters and infantry scouts allowed for the troop to conduct both aerial and ground-based reconnaissance, as well as man security outposts and support ground scouts with close air support. The infantry scouts also provided an organic search and rescue capability for downed squadron pilots.

Helicopter elements were typically employed in teams of 2 to provide mutual support/security. The aero-scout sections (4 helicopters) would form 2 teams each, with a Lieutenant in one as team leader and a Warrant Officer in the other. Almost all pilots, except for team and platoon leaders, were Warrant Officers. It should be noted that the 1965 manual only lists one pilot and one crew chief per utility helicopter, but by 1967 the MTOE included a co-pilot and door gunner as well.