The Mike Forces were probably the least known of all of the Special Forces activities in Vietnam. Mike Forces were led by American or Australian Special Forces advisors, composed of indeginous forces such as the the Chinese Nungs or Montagnard tribesmen, often pronouced "yards" by the GIs.
The Mike Force was a reaction or reinforcing unit that could be deployed with little or no warning anywhere in Vietnam within 30 minutes. They protected the Special Forces "A" Camps designed to have a presence along border areas and near strategic supply lines. "A" Camps were also used as pacification tools to prevent the locals from going over to the enemy. Mike Forces usually arrived in a hostile situation and outnumbered.
This soldier wears a black boonie hat with an army issue P-38 can opener attached on the rear of the hat. The boonie hat, assisted the wearer to appear as and NVA or VC. He wears the tiger strip pattern uniform typically worn by Mike Forces. His uniform patches include ARVN Jump Wings, American Jump Wings, Combat Infantry Badge, Ranger Tab, Recon Patch and black and white Mike Force patch with skull and crossbones. It was extremely rare for any insignia to be worn on these uniforms, primarily for security reasons, but also because they only lasted for a few operations. Around his neck he wears a yellow, red and black scarf. Scarves were popular items with many Mike Force units. In some units different color scarves were presented as unit level awards to individuals. |
