Operation Highland: Securing An Khe and Route 19

Operation Highland was a United States military campaign initiated by the 1st Brigade on August 22, 1965. The operation aimed to establish a secure base camp for the 1st Cavalry Division at An Khe and ensure its safe arrival while reopening Route 19, a critical supply line connecting Qui Nhon to An Khe.

In February 1965, Vietnamese forces launched an assault along Route 19, particularly targeting the section between Mang Yang Pass and An Khe. Although this attack was repelled, a significant enemy presence lingered along the route, disrupting supplies and causing shortages of food and ammunition. By June, Vietnamese forces had destroyed multiple bridges along Route 19, isolating Pleiku, Kontum, and Ban Me Thuot from ground access and forcing reliance on air transport.

To address these logistical challenges, U.S. military planners determined that Route 19 had to be reopened and a base established. General William Westmoreland initially favored Pleiku as the site for the base camp, but An Khe was ultimately chosen for its proximity to Qui Nhon and shorter supply lines.

The operation was conducted in three phases:

Phase One (August 22–25):
The 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry, was airlifted into An Khe to secure its airstrip and establish a defensive perimeter. Simultaneously, the remainder of the brigade landed in Qui Nhon and advanced westward along Route 19.

Phase Two (August 26):
The 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, moved westward from Qui Nhon, clearing Route 19 with support from air and artillery assets. They linked up with the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry, still guarding the An Khe airstrip.

Phase Three (August 27–September 28):
The focus shifted to maintaining security along Route 19 while the 1st Cavalry Division established its base at An Khe. The 327th and 502nd Infantry conducted 23 operations, including patrols, sweeps, search-and-destroy missions, and eight air mobile assaults. Vietnamese resistance was minimal except for the Battle of An Ninh (September 18–21), also known as Operation Gibraltar, which marked the only significant engagement during the campaign.

By September 28, the 1st Cavalry Division assumed responsibility for An Khe’s defense, and the 1st Brigade relocated to Dong Ba Thin. Operation Highland achieved its objectives, reopening Route 19 and establishing a base at An Khe, later named Camp Radcliff.

The Battle of An Ninh was notable as the first U.S. victory over a main Vietnamese force. Overall, Operation Highland resulted in 21 Allied casualties and an estimated 692 Vietnamese casualties, including those sustained during Operation Gibraltar. The campaign was deemed a success and played a pivotal role in U.S. operations in the region.