On March 15, 1966, FLC was born of necessity. A new unit, its mission essentially the arming, feeding, clothing and supplying of Marine forces scattered throughout MR-1. Eventually headquartered at Camp Jay K. Books, the command was an integral part of the Marine Corps air-ground team in Viet Nam. After the initial landing near Da Nang in March 1965, Marine strengths continued to grow until two reinforced divisions and a reinforced aircraft wing, comprising III MAF, were situated between Chu Lai and the DMZ. FLSG-A supported the 3d Marine Div., and FLSG-B supporting 1st Marine Div. Forces. Two FSUs operated at Dong Ha and Phu Bai. Each support element operated under various controlling headquarters, and support was complicated at best. It was decided that one senior headquarters would be established from elements of FLSG-A and FLSG-B to coordinate all support activity. Thus FLC was born. The goal to be attained was effective, efficient, sustained logistic support to III MAF forces including ROK and other Free World Forces in MR-1, with self sustaining, balanced mobile logistic support elements. Redesignated from FLSG, FLSG-A came into being March 15 1966. Its subordinate units were charged with supporting 3d Marine Div. troops from Phu Bai to the DMZ LSUs were established at Phu Bai, Dong Ha, Hue and Khe Sanh. In early January 1969, the main body of FLSG-A was moved from Phu Bai to Da Nang after turning over many of its combat support bases to the Army. FLSG-A was redeployed to Okinawa and deactivated on Nov. 7, 1969. The 7th MT Bn. Arrived in May 1965, with its command elements arriving in Chu Lai in March 1966. 7th Motors participated in numerous operations against enemy forces. Rough Rider convoys ground out nearly 4.5 million miles through choking dust and sucking mud to carry more than 945,000 tons of cargo to Americans and their allies before redeploying to the U.S. in late February 1970. Originally headquartered in Chu Lai, FLSG-B was redesignated from FLSU-1 on March 15, 1966. Later it moved to Quang Tri where it became responsible for providing logistic support to all Marine and Allied forces near the DMZ. At the height of operations, FLSG-B supported more than 70,000 troops. During its four years-plus, FLSG-B established LSUs at Quang Tri, LZ Stud and embattled Khe Sanh to maintain closer contact with combat units. Late in 1969, FLSG-B was moved from Quang Tri to Camp Books. It was deactivated Sept. 15, 1970, and was reactivated as 1st service Bn., 5th MAG, at Camp Pendleton. Supply, Bn. was established within the FLC structure at Camp Books in February 1967, and provided a most vital link in accomplishing the FLC mission. The 7th Separate Bulk Fuel Co. dispensed more than 76 million gallons of petroleum products from fuel points through-out MR-1 Ration Co. was charged with procuring and issuing food. Marines unable to visit messhalls received close to 11 million Individual Combat Meals in just a 13-month period alone. EOD Marines recovered over 449,00 deadly U.S. and enemy explosive items, disarming and destroying 95,000 of them. The battalions ASPs #1 and #2 dispensed ordinance ranging from 5.56mm rounds for M-16 rifles to 175mm shells for artillery guns. The bakery made and distributed more than 12 million doughnuts and almost 23 million pounds of bread. The battalion’s Retrograde Facility charged with the shipping of all classes of excess or damaged gear to other commands, transferred hundreds of thousands of measured tons of equipment. Maint. Bn. Came into being in February 1967, and was originally located at the Da Nang Air Base until commitments grew too large and space too small. In 1969, repair sections began moving to Camp Books. At MTM Co., more than 4,235 vehicles were repaired and returned to their parent organizations. BSM Co., disbanded in July 1970, processed nearly 5,700 work requests on items ranging from typewriters to canvas. Comm/Elect Maint. Co. had repaired more than 40,000 damaged items. Ord. Maint. Co. had replaced more than 1,600 barrels on small arms and artillery guns in addition to refinishing other pieces. Eng. Maint. Co. provided maintenance support for three Force Eng. Bns., two Division Eng. Bns., and all engineer equipment organic to III MAF. Over 8,000 work requests were processed. H&S Bn. was formed in February 1967. Among its many duties, the transportation of cargo in support of combat operations and regulating administrative functions ranked high on the list. While transporting two million tons of cargo in support of 1st and 3d Mar Div. Operations, Truck Co. ground out over 11 million miles. Comm. Co, FLCýs communications link with the world, handled 12 million transmissions, both incoming and outgoing on their complex computerized transmitters. Perhaps one of the greatest achievements by U.S. personnel in relation to Civic Action was the construction of the spacious, 120-bed Hoa Khahn Children’s Hospital at Camp Books. From a tent facility, the hospital grew and prospered, providing in-patient and out-patient medical treatment to thousands of children. Operation of the hospital was turned over to WRC in June 1970.
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