Upon entering their assigned area of operations just after sunrise, C Troop began searching for the enemy on a rocky hillside near the coast. The lead LOH (Light Observation Helicopter), flown by Lt. Thomas J. Burke was the first to make contact with an enemy element.

"As we started to work nearer, my observer Spec4 Gary Phillips, spotted a "High Speed" trail.

"After a short recon of the area, we spotted four VC soldiers sitting in front of a cave. As my aircraft approached the area, the VC darted into the cave, picking up what appeared to be weapons and packs," said Burke.

The lead LOH pilot immediately notified the command and control ship flown by C Troop executive officer, Capt. John Davis.  An Aero Rifle Platoon, led by Lt. David Flint was called in and inserted on the hill above the cave.

The ARP leader recounted the action that followed, "From the LZ we pro­ceeded downhill about 75 yards to the cave enhance. Several of my men entered the cave. After winding 50 yards through several tunnels," he continued, "they came upon a weapons cache of eight Chinese Communist assault weapons, three claymores, one AK47, one B-­40 launcher and 60 B-40 rocket rounds."