Operation Chopper (Vietnam)

Operation Chopper was the first major American combat operation in the Vietnam War. It took place on January 12, 1962, near Saigon (present-day Ho Chi Minh City), South Vietnam. The operation involved the deployment of approximately 1,000 South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) troops into an area believed to be a Viet Cong stronghold located about 10 miles northwest of Saigon.

The primary objective of Operation Chopper was to clear the area of Viet Cong insurgents. This was achieved by airlifting the ARVN troops via U.S. Army helicopters. The operation was considered significant not so much for its tactical success, which was limited, but for its symbolic importance. It marked a substantial escalation of U.S. involvement in the conflict, demonstrating America’s commitment to supporting the South Vietnamese government.

The operation utilized over 60 U.S. Army helicopters, marking the first time such a large number of helicopters were used in a combat operation. While the operation itself was relatively short, lasting only one day, it exposed several issues with ARVN leadership, coordination with U.S. forces, and the effectiveness of airmobile tactics in the Vietnamese terrain. Despite these shortcomings, Operation Chopper paved the way for future, larger-scale air assault operations in Vietnam.