ENGINEER CONTROL AND ADVISORY DETACHMENTS.

This is the final report of a 120-day test conducted by the Army Concept Team in Vietnam to evaluate engineer control and advisory detachments ECAD in support of counterinsurgency operations. ECADs augment special action forces. Two ECADs were on TDY in Vietnam for testing. One control team and three advisory teams operated under the Senior MAAG Advisor, IV Corps. The other control team and two advisory teams worked with special forces detachments located in II, III, and IV Corps areas. Control teams provide engineer staff personnel for special action forces control elements and have an engineering design capability. Advisory teams advise indigenous forces on civic action type construction projects and train troops in engineer support of tactical operations. Advisory team mission equipment consists of a pioneer tool kit and a 34-ton truck. In line with President Kennedys People-to-People program, ECAD effort was oriented toward civic action at the very lowest echelons of government. Small engineering projects were identified, planned, and coordinated with local authorities in areas of unit operation. Emphasis was on simple structures, which could be built with common hand tools from locally available materials. Author