Combat Tracker Team Photo



	These photos and captions were sent in by George Wade - "Halotracker". He served with the 557th IPCT - attached to the 101st Airborne during 1968-1969. These Teams have been some of the "missing" ones for us. We want to say a special Thank You to these early Airborne Trackers for filling in the blanks! The Team members in this photo are: standing from L to R: Kimbrough, Chief Arvelo, George Wade, Yates, Smallwood, Bruce Wolfarth, and kneeling from L to R: Mackey, Juan Duenas, Snuffy Erickson, Jerry "Shorty" Halsey, and Tarka.

	Attack on Shorty Halsey! by Snuffy Erickson and Halotracker Wade! I would very much like to know what was going on while this photo was being taken!

	These were the Patches worn by the 557th during 1968-1969. Top right - shoulder patch worn on duty uniform. Bottom left - shoulder patch worn on Class A uniform. Bottom right - shoulder patch worn on Class B uniform, attached to the left chest pocket.

	The Team was working on a mission to find the VC who were reconning Camp Eagle. This was west of Camp Eagle. The track led them to a herd of water buffalo and ended abruptly when the biggest of them raised his nose and started to blow! From L to R: George Wade, Snuffy Erickson, Bruce Wolfarth, Tarka and (?) Smallwood.

	Here we have Bruce Wolfarth and Juan Duenas comparing the attributes of the AK 47 versus the CAR 15. We'll have to ask them which one of the weapons got the "thumbs up". The AK 47 was "liberated" from a contact and was carried on Missions by the Teams. Thanks again to HALOTRACKER, George Wade for this page - and the memories!

	This is Scout Dog Buck, known to most as "MISTER Buck"! It is said that on one of his Missions, the unit was ambushed and pinned down. His handler, (?) Rodan. released Buck from his lead and let Buck charge the ambush site. The enemy suddenly stopped firing and all beat feet - except, the one that Buck got! The score that day was: BUCK - 1, VC - 0 "Job well done, Mr. Buck!"

	Here is Sgt. Garcia. It's his turn with the AK 47.

	This is "Garcia the Younger" as there were two Garcias on the Team. He is not only "Mr. Cool" in this photo - but on s--- burning detail! Everyone had his turn at that too! This younger Garcia was WIA when Virgil J. Roberts was KIA on January 22, 1969.