The 4th Battalion, 77th Artillery Regiment (4/77 ARA) served as the aerial rocket artillery battalion for the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) during the Vietnam War. Organized as part of the Army’s evolving approach to fire support in an airmobile environment, 4/77 ARA was activated in Vietnam in late 1968, following the division's reorganization into an airmobile configuration. The battalion was equipped primarily with UH-1B and UH-1C Huey helicopters early in its deployment, later transitioning to the more advanced AH-1G Cobra gunships. These aircraft provided rapid-response, highly mobile fire support to airborne infantry units operating throughout the rugged terrain of I Corps Tactical Zone, including the A Shau Valley, the central highlands, and areas near the Laotian border.
Operating from firebases such as Camp Eagle and Phu Bai, 4/77 ARA played a critical role in numerous major operations, including Operation Apache Snow (May 1969) and Operation Lam Son 719 (early 1971). During the brutal fighting at Hamburger Hill (Dong Ap Bia) in May 1969, 4/77’s rocket-equipped gunships provided continuous direct fire support, suppressing enemy positions and clearing landing zones for infantry assaults under heavy enemy fire. The unit’s ability to deliver precision firepower rapidly and adjust to dynamic battlefield conditions made it a vital asset in the division’s combined-arms approach. Throughout its deployment, 4/77 ARA not only supported conventional operations but also flew close air support, interdiction missions, and emergency extraction under hostile conditions.
The battalion’s pilots, crew chiefs, and support personnel faced constant danger from enemy anti-aircraft fire, low-level operations in mountainous terrain, and the inherent hazards of flying armed helicopters in combat. Despite these challenges, 4/77 ARA earned a reputation for professionalism, aggressiveness, and reliability. Their contributions were instrumental in enabling the 101st Airborne Division’s airmobile tactics and reflected the growing importance of aerial rocket artillery in modern warfare. The unit remained in Vietnam until the U.S. drawdown, ultimately standing down as part of the division's redeployment.