The Vinh Long Outlaws Association (a 501(c)19 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization) was formed from personnel previously assigned to aviation units with lineage to the original and all succeeding Outlaws, Mavericks, and Roadrunners that deployed to and operated out of Vinh Long, Vietnam, and to a more recent unit that bore the same Outlaw call sign and fought in Iraq.

The 62nd Aviation Company Outlaws was formed on 6 August 1964 from assets assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division (Airmobile) at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was truly the vanguard of the huge U.S military buildup in Southeast Asia.  After arriving at Vinh Long in September 1964, the Outlaws and its armed platoon Mavericks immediately conducted 30 days of in-country training prior to release for full combat operations through the IV Corps Tactical Zone, essentially responding to request throughout the Vietnam’s Delta Region.  The 150th Transportation Detachment Roadrunners provided aircraft maintenance and technical supply support.  The 28th Signal Detachment provided maintenance on communications equipment, and the 25th Infantry Division attached infantrymen to the Outlaws/Mavericks/Roadrunners as doorgunners.  In December 1964, the 62nd was redesignated as A Company 502nd Aviation Battalion, and retained all equipment, personnel, and call signs previously assigned to the 62nd.

A Company 502nd Aviation Battalion was deactivated in September 1966 and the 175th Aviation Company activated in its place, from personnel and equipment formerly assigned to A/502nd and retained their call signs.  On 2 November 1967, the 175th Aviation Company was redesignated as the 175th Assault Helicopter Company and retained that designation until deactivation in February 1972 in Vietnam.  However, the 175th Outlaws were reactivated in May 1972 at Fort Knox, KY, operated there for two years, and then deployed to Germany for operations until their deactivation in December 1977.

In September 1987, the Outlaws were reactivated as B Company 1st Battalion 158th Aviation Regiment from Fort Hood assets, and redesignated as B Troop 1st Battalion 158th Avn Rgmt Outlaws in 1996.   In 2001, the Outlaws were deployed for Iraqi Freedom II in Iraq, and continued the call sign Outlaws, thereby continuing the name and tradition of Outlaws combat aviation begun in August 1964.  Please visit our History Tab for more details on the history of the Outlaws, Mavericks, and Roadrunners or to join click here.

Sincerely,

Bob Koonce
National Director

The Vinh Long Outlaws Association (a 501(c)19 nonprofit, tax-exempt organization) was formed from personnel previously assigned to aviation units with lineage to the original and all succeeding Outlaws, Mavericks, and Roadrunners that deployed to and operated out of Vinh Long, Vietnam, and to a more recent unit that bore the same Outlaw call sign and fought in Iraq.

The 62nd Aviation Company Outlaws was formed on 6 August 1964 from assets assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division (Airmobile) at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was truly the vanguard of the huge U.S military buildup in Southeast Asia.  After arriving at Vinh Long in September 1964, the Outlaws and its armed platoon Mavericks immediately conducted 30 days of in-country training prior to release for full combat operations through the IV Corps Tactical Zone, essentially responding to request throughout the Vietnam’s Delta Region.  The 150th Transportation Detachment Roadrunners provided aircraft maintenance and technical supply support.  The 28th Signal Detachment provided maintenance on communications equipment, and the 25th Infantry Division attached infantrymen to the Outlaws/Mavericks/Roadrunners as doorgunners.  In December 1964, the 62nd was redesignated as A Company 502nd Aviation Battalion, and retained all equipment, personnel, and call signs previously assigned to the 62nd.

A Company 502nd Aviation Battalion was deactivated in September 1966 and the 175th Aviation Company activated in its place, from personnel and equipment formerly assigned to A/502nd and retained their call signs.  On 2 November 1967, the 175th Aviation Company was redesignated as the 175th Assault Helicopter Company and retained that designation until deactivation in February 1972 in Vietnam.  However, the 175th Outlaws were reactivated in May 1972 at Fort Knox, KY, operated there for two years, and then deployed to Germany for operations until their deactivation in December 1977.

In September 1987, the Outlaws were reactivated as B Company 1st Battalion 158th Aviation Regiment from Fort Hood assets, and redesignated as B Troop 1st Battalion 158th Avn Rgmt Outlaws in 1996.   In 2001, the Outlaws were deployed for Iraqi Freedom II in Iraq, and continued the call sign Outlaws, thereby continuing the name and tradition of Outlaws combat aviation begun in August 1964.  Please visit our History Tab for more details on the history of the Outlaws, Mavericks, and Roadrunners or to join click here.

Sincerely,

Bob Koonce
National Director