Liftmaster

The 159th Assault Support Helicopter Battalion was formed on 1 July 1968 from the
dissolved 308th Combat Aviation Battalion. Organized as the medium and heavy lift
Assault Support Helicopter Battalion of the 101st Airborne Division, the unit was
eventually composed of three CH-47 companies (Pachyderms - A Company, formerly
the 200th Medium Lift Helicopter Company; Varsity - B Company, formerly the 272nd
Medium Lift Helicopter Company; Playtex - C Co, formerly 293rd Medium Lift
Helicopter Company) and 1 CH-54 company (Hurricanes - 478th Heavy Lift Company).

From January 1969 through February 1972, the battalion provided lift support to 101st
Airborne Division, operations Kentucky Jumper, Massachusetts Striker, Apache Snow,
Campbell Streamer, Montgomery Rendezvous, Lam Son 719, Jefferson Glen and Lam
Son 810. The unit conducted artillery support, troop movement operations, flare and
flame drops, fire-base insertions and extractions, IFR airdrops, and flight suport and
aircraft recovery missions. The 159th ASH Battalion received the Valorous Unit Award
for services in the Republic of Vietnam, 1 January 1970 through May 1971. In February
1972, the 159th ASH Battalion returned to Fort Campbell Kentucky as the only CH-47
Chinook Battalion in the United States Army.