The purpose of this study is to trace the evolution of airmobility in the U.S. Army. The integration of aircraft into the organic structure of the ground forces is as radical a change as the move from the horse to the truck, and as of the time of the Vietnam War, this process was only just beginning. Air assault operations in Southeast Asia would not have been possible without certain key decisions a decade earlier. This publication traces the most important milestones which led to the eventual formation of airmobile divisions.

The growth of the airmobile concept -- The early years in Vietnam, 1961-1965 -- The early years in the United States, 1963-1965 -- The first airmobile division and the buildup, 1965 -- Airmobility comes of age, 1966 -- Airmobile developments, 1966 -- The peak year, 1967 -- Tet, 198 -- Major operations, 1968 -- Airmobile developments, 1968 -- The changing war and Cambodia, 1969-1970 -- Organizational changes and Laos, 1970-1971 -- Conclusions -- Appendix: Army aircraft photographs.