 The USMC 1st LAAM Battalion based on Okinawa was ordered to deploy to Da Nang.Arriving by C-130 on 8 April, by 9 April the HAWKs were operational at the base.On 8 March 1965, in coordination with the amphibious landing of the 9th Marine Regiment at Red Beach north of Da Nang, the 1st Battalion 3rd Marines landed at Da Nang AB from Naha Air Base, this marked the first deployment of US combat troops to South Vietnam.