TANGO - 13
While serving at SEA FLOAT 1969, Sandy Rhodes, Engineman Fireman
Apprentice on Monitor-2, worked on many occasions with a specially modified
Program 5 ATC(H) "Tango" boat nicknamed "Pinkeye".
Here is the official Riverine Assault Force Summary from March 1969
pertaining to this interesting boat:
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A recent innovation, utilized in MRF night
operations, is the searchlight (pinkeye) boat. Since
enemy forces frequently move under cover of
darkness, a method to enhance the effectiveness of
night operations was developed. A 23-inch XENON tank
searchlight , modified with a pink filter to provide
compatibility with a starlight scope, was mounted on
the flight deck of ATC-131-13. The recognition range
of this apparatus has been demonstrated to be up to
2000 meters. Two to four Army snipers are positioned
on the flight deck as the ATC cruises 100-200 meters
offshore. A 105-mm howitzer equipped Monitor may
operate with the "pinkeye" boat ready to fire
beehive rounds on enemy troops marked by sniper
tracers.
If you served on the Tango-13 "Pinkeye" boat I would like to hear your stories and post them here! This photograph is copyrighted and protected by U.S. and International Laws. It may not be copied, printed, etc. without written permission from Tazbat Publishing, a division of SJR Systems. For permissions contact the copyright owner at tazbat@ancientalley.com |
