UH-1B Huey gunships of HA(L)-3 "Seawolves" in action over the Mekong Delta in 1968

HA(L)-3 (Helicopter Attack Squadron (Light) 3) known as the "Seawolves", was an all-volunteer squadron in the US Navy formed in support of Naval Special Warfare operations and Mobile Riverine Forces during the Vietnam War

0:02 A modified M60B 7.62mm machine gun as used by the Seawolves, unofficially designates as a “free gun”. Gunners would attach themselves to the airframe with their gunner’s safety belts and hang out the door firing these guns to protect the belly and tail of the UH-1 when suppressing ground fire. This particular gun has a mechanical buffer fitted to boost its rate of fire. The buttstock of the ground gun has been replaced by the sheet metal cover from a M60C. The bipod has been removed from the barrel and a second pistol grip fitted to the forearm. Extra springs have been added to the inside of the feed cover to help draw the belt. On some guns, the forearm was removed and the pistol grip was attached to the operating rod cylinder. In action, the gunner flipped the gun on its side.

0:04 A relatively rarely fitted Browning M2 .50 cal machine gun

0:26 Flex-mounted 7.62mm Minigun

2:02 a more familiar M60 configuration with a B3A can from a C-rations pack locked into the ammunition box attachment system. The ammunition belts can roll over the can for a straighter and smoother feed to the loading port to enhance reliability of feed.

3:15 Approaching the "mother ship" after a mission, in this case USS Harnett County (LST-821) During World War II, LST-821 was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific theater and participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto from April through June 1945. Recommissioned in 1966, Harnett County saw extensive service during the Vietnam War, operating as part of Operation Game Warden, a brown-water navy effort to keep the rivers free of Viet Cong infiltration. Four landing ship tanks were recommissioned to support river patrol operations with the intent of keeping three ships on-station at any one time supporting a River Division of 10 Patrol Boat, River (PBR), a Detachment of two UH-1B helicopter gunships and a SEAL Platoon. The ship not on-station was undergoing ship repairs in the Western Pacific. USS Harnett County reported on-station to CTF 116 on 12 January 1967 and operated as a Patrol Craft Tender (AGP) for the next 43 months on the rivers of the Mekong Delta.