Naval Base Guam at Apra Harbor or at Andersen Air Force Base. Today, at least 16,400 military members and their dependents are stationed on Guam, most of whom work at the U.S. Guam has been home to many different military units over the past 60 years-it was especially active during the Vietnam War as a waystation for U.S. Today’s WatchBlog explores the past and future of U.S. Starting around 2022, the Department of Defense expects to further grow that presence by moving approximately 4,100 Marines from Japan to Guam. Over the years, the United States has maintained a military presence on the island to support and defend its interests in the western Pacific Ocean. Those casualties were suffered in the course of 5.25 million sorties, during which the machines underwent a rapid evolution with benefits that continue to be felt in both military and civilian uses.The island of Guam located in the Pacific Ocean has been a U.S.
The South Vietnamese lost 482, and the Australians six. The Marines lost 270, the Air Force 110 and the Navy 32. The Army lost at least 5,195 to combat or accidents. The intense combat took a toll on the 12,000 helicopters that served in Vietnam. When communist-manned 12.7 mm machine guns (known and dreaded by the helicopter crews as “.51-calibers”) became a threat to the troop-carrying “slicks” and medevac choppers, the helos were mounted with a counter-arsenal of guns and rockets, culminating in gunships like the Bell AH-1 Cobra. Cargo carriers brought artillery, ammunition and other heavy equipment to remote fire support bases. Their ability to evacuate the wounded and swiftly convey them to a medical facility was the difference between life and death for tens of thousands of casualties.Īs the war expanded, specialized helicopters were developed for a variety of tasks. The copters were equally adept at extracting troops when the operation was completed. Vertical takeoff and landing capabilities allowed soldiers to be rushed to the jungles, valleys and hilltops.
Helicopters began proving their worth over Korea in the 1950s, but it was over Indochina that a new generation of rotary-winged aircraft became an indispensable military asset.
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