Flying Black Ponies: The Navy's Close Air Support Squadron in Vietnam

Flight Journal, Apr 2003 by DeGroat, Robert S

Flying Black Ponies: The Navy's Close Air Support Squadron in Vietnam by Kit Lavell; Naval Institute Press, 291 Wood Rd., Annapolis, MD 21402, www. usni.org; 332 pages; illustrated; $32.95.

The further we are from the

Vietnam War, the more we discover about itnot just about the major battles (political and military) but also the small efforts that went unnoticed at the time. One such effort is the story of the only U.S. Navy land-based closeair-support squadron.

Though officially designated "Light Attack Squadron Four (VAL-4)," the group was best known as the "Black Ponies." From 1969 to 1972, their reputation grew, as they could always be called on to help ground forces in the Mekong Delta. Using borrowed, twin-engine OV-10 Broncos, the Ponies did yeomen's work at any time, anywhere.

Author Kit Lavell saw this action as a member of this unit. Through his extensive research, he has even been able to match many of the air operations in which he participated with accounts penned by those they helped. The result is a fascinating story told from both perspectives.

In addition to the excellent action sequences, the author also provides wonderful images of life on the base, a concise history of the unit, a list of all 26 OV-lOs used by VAL-4 and a table of squadron statistics. This is a must-read for all those who are interested in close-air-support missions and the part they played on the wide stage of the Vietnam War.