During the fall/winter of 1965 the 1st Brigade was assigned combat convoy security for the incoming 1st Air Cavalry. Their base camp was to be An Khe in the highlands. Either VC or NVA had blown up the bridges between Quinhon and AnKhe and U>S> Army Engineers had constructed Bailey bridges as repair. Our job as MPs was to secure these bridges for the incoming convoys of 1st Cav. during the day when convoys were active. We were trucked back to AnKhe at night to cover 1st Cav.'s base camp.
As an Airborne unit discipline was very tight. We MPs were required to wear starched jungle fatigues and boots and web gear were supposed to shine. We were to salute each and every officer and usually were required to drop on the ground and knock out push-ups if we failed. At the bridges we were to stand aty attention or parade rest at all times.To ensure that the 1st Brigade MPs were acting as Airborne troops were expected a Major would overfly our positions in a Bell H-13 bubble helicopter. He would fly at about 50 feet so he could get a good look at us. We, of course were expected to salute him as he flew over. If he saw a violation he would report it to the Provost Marshall who was required to discipline us when we returned to camp.
The next topic I'm going to relate may have some controversy so I need to add a link to my blog before I can go into detail. Bear in mind that I was not directly involved in the operation but played a security part and was kept up to date as to what was happening.