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MOBILE SUPPORT
TEAM ONE (C) The Mobile
Support Team (MST), Da Nang functioned as a Branch
of NAD. Its parent command was (Boat Support
Unit ONE, later) Coastal River
Squadron ONE, Coronado, Calif, an integral command
of Naval Inshore-Warfare Command, Pacific. All MST
personnel were Temporary Attached Duty (TAD) to NAD
for a 180-day period. The Mobile Support Team was
composed of the OIC, a Navy Line Lieutenant, and ten
to fifteen enlisted men of various technical rates
commensurate with PTF/PCF craft upkeep and repair.
(S) MST supported NAD/CSS
operations through the supervision of training and
maintenance efforts of indigenous personnel in the
operation, maintenance, and repair of high speed
patrol craft (PTFs and PCFs) and their associated
base support facilities, and by providing logistic
support for the boats through liaison with the Navy
Special programs Office at Ship Repair Facility (SRP),
Naval Supply Depot, Subic Bay, Republic of the
Philippines.
(C) Through the advisory efforts
of MST, MTT assumed the responsibility for
maintenance and repair of boat equipment and
installed shop equipment, exclusive of certain minor
repair/maintenance Items which were conducted by
boat crew members. By May 71, the full
responsibility for planning, conducting and
supervision PTF/PCP crew training and subsequent
qualifications of boat commanding/executive officers
was shifted to the CSS,
(C) Although MST personnel
functioned mainly as advisors, technical assistance
was rendered VNN counterparts in completing more
complicated tasks beyond their capabilities. Some of
the major tasks performed jointly by MST and MTT
personnel included:
1. Eleven engine changes on PTFs.
2. Three engine changes on PCPs.
3. Screw changes on PTF/PCFs.
4. Re-reaving cabling on the 30-ton crane.
5. Overhaul of engines on the LCM-3 (Pusher
Boat) and crane barge.
6. Installation of AN/PRC-46 radios on all
craft.
7. Installation of AN/PRC-41 radios on four
craft.
8. Improvements to the ventilation system in
the radio and converter rooms on all craft.
9. Installation of AN/ACR-94 radios with MG
sets on two craft.
10. Installation of AN/TUS-1 Starlight Scope
mounts on the bridge of PTFs.
11. Installation of 122mm rocket launchers on
PTFs.
12. Major underwater repairs to the hulls of two
PCFs.
13. Complete re-wiring of the LCM-3 (Pusher
Boats).
(C) With the cooperation of SRF,
Subic Bay, twenty-three VNN personnel were sent to
Subic Bay to attend the Naval Ship Repair Facility
School on PTF engineering, electrical, and
electronic systems.
The above information
extracted from the book:
MAC-V-SOG PERIOD-3
MAC-V-SOG Command History
Annex B:
(1971-1972) Volume II,
The Last Secret of the Vietnam War
by Charles F. Reske
[Webmaster note: this web page
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