SwiftVets.com

[NavyChief]

Here is my understanding of the Task Organization for those as confused as me. Please feel free to make comments/corrections.

Long and short of why I did this. To find out if CTE 194.5.4.4/1 could be Kerry. Bad news - this cannot be used as a correlation for all reports. Even if Kerry was the OTC, we know some OTC's allowed Kerry to write the reports. Further analysis of the report itself is needed to make a determination

The Task Force 194 was set up for SEALORDS and the Task Force 115 was MARKET TIME. These two worked interchangeably and separate at the same time. It is a bit confusing to those of us looking at it from the outside.

SEALORDS:

CTE 194 = VADM Zumwalt (COMNAVFORV - Saigon)

CTE 194.0 = CAPT Salzer (FIRST SEALORDS - Can Tho)
CTE 194.5 = CAPT Hoffman (CTF 115 - Cam Rahn Bay)
CTE 194.6 = ? (CTF 116 - ?)
CTE 194.7 = ? (CTF 117 - ?)

CTE 194.5.1 = ? (1st Zone Coastal Surveillance - Danang?)
CTE 194.5.2 = ? (2nd Zone Coastal Surveillance - Cam Rahn Bay?)
CTE 194.5.3 = CDR Yost (3rd Zone Coastal Surveillance - Cat Lo?)
CTE 194.5.4 = CDR Lonsdale (4th Zone Coastal Surveillance - An Thoi)

CTE 194.5.4.2 = USCGC WACHUSETT, CO LCDR Nichols (Gulf Support WHEC-44) *However USCGC WINNEBAGO WHEC-40 for 26 Jan 69
CTE 194.5.4.3 = Gulf Inshore Patrol Unit (OTC of mission)
CTE 194.5.4.4 = Gulf Inshore Patrol Unit (OTC of mission - An Thoi)
CTE 194.5.4.5 = Gulf Inshore Patrol Unit (OTC of mission - Ha Tien)

MARKET TIME:

CTF 115 = CAPT Hoffman
CTF 116 = CAPT ?
CTF 117 = CAPT ?

CTG 115.1 = CDR ? (1st Zone Coastal Surveillance - Danang)
CTG 115.2 = CDR ? (2nd Zone Coastal Surveillance - Nha Trang)
CTG 115.2.1 = ? (North Central - Qui Nhon)
CTG 115.2.2 = ? (South Central - Nha Trang)
CTG 115.3 = CDR Yost (3rd Zone Coastal Surveillance - Vung Tau)

CTG 115.4 = CDR Lonsdale (4th Zone Coastal Surveillance - An Thoi)
CTU 115.4.2 = LCDR ? (USS WASHTENAW COUNTY LST-1166)
CTU 115.4.3 = LCDR ? (Gulf Inshore Patrol Unit - An Thoi)
CTU 115.4.6 = LCDR USCGC (Gulf WPB Support Unit - Division 11)
CTU 115.4.7 = LCDR Elliot (Gulf PCF Support Unit - COMCOSDIV 11 - An Thoi)

**The PCF's and WPB are under the operational control of Task Group Commander. In the case of COSDIV 11 this TG is CDR Lonsdale**

The Coastal Division Commander determines the schedule for boats to be deployed. In this case, LCDR Elliot for COSDIV 11.

The Coastal Surveillance Center (CSC) is the communications command and control center for the Task Group Commander (Lonsdale). All information pertinent to the Market Time effort in the task group commander's area passes through the CSC. All contacts by Market Time units are reported to and monitored by the CSC. Weather reports and intelligence information are also gathered at the CSC. Whenever gunfire support requests are received or action is deemed necessary with respect to a contact, the CSC notifies the appropriate unit. Each task group commander has a Coastal Surveillance Center at his command base with the exception of CTG 115.2. Because its area is so large, it has two CSC's.

PCF divisions had 1.5 crews per boat while WPB's required one crew per boat. Main support facilities for the PCF were located at DaNang and Cat Lo. They had complete dry docking facilities for all hull and engine work. WPBs have support facilities in-country, but any major work was done in Subic Bay in the Phillipines.

PCF

Length: 50 FT
Drive: 2/600 HP Diesels
Max. Speed: 25 Knots
Complement: 6
1 twin .50 cal machinegun
1 81mm mortar with .50 cal machinegun

WPB

Length: 82 ft
Drive: Cummins VT-12-3600 HP
Max. speed: 18 knots
Complement: 11
4 .50 cal machineguns aft
1 81mm mortar with .50 cal machinegun


COMCOSRON ONE:

Operational control = CAPT Hoffman (Cam Rahn Bay)

Administrative control = CDR Horne (CMDR Coastal Flotilla One - Cam Rahn Bay)

COSRON ONE DIVISIONS:

*average of 82 Swift Boats assigned

COSDIV 11 - LCDR Elliot at An Thoi (35 PCF)
COSDIV 12 - LCDR McGhee at DaNang (10 PCF)
COSDIV 13 - LCDR Strueli at Cat Lo (21 PCF)
COSDIV 14 - LCDR ? {was LCDR Hibbard} at Cam Rahn Bay (3 PCF)
COSDIV 15 - LCDR ? at Qui Nhon *disestablish 5 Nov 69

Hack away at it

- instigator
_________________
Working with Senator Kerry four years in the POW/MIA Office left me thinking -- when did the man ever do any work?

[xbikerbobx]

Hi,
Greetings from CTE 194.5.4.2 ( USCGC Wachusett WHEC-44) we were commanded by LCDR Nichols. Out of Vung Tau. Task Force 115 ,Squadron 3. Search & Rescue, Search & Siezure, Support Seal #3.
1968/1969. Call was " Swinging Kingdom Zulu."
_________________
USCGC Wachusett Whec-44 Task Force 115 Vietnam 68-69

[NavyChief]