Members of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 173rd Airborne prepare for the first major ground combat operation by U.S. forces of the Vietnam War.

Together with Australian and ARVN troops, the 173rd undertake a search and destroy mission in War Zone "D", north west of Saigon (III Corps).

The solider on the right has woven strips of camouflage parachute silk into net to break up the outline of his helmet.

Photo taken: June 1965