FLAGS; GENERAL SIGN TRANSFER PAPERS; RIFLE HANDED OVER; HELICOPTER SYMBOLS CHANGED; PILOTS IN HELICOPTERS; TAKING OFF.




Initials PK/V/AS/PF



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Background: THE UNITED STATES HAS MADE A NEW CONTRIBUTION TO SOUTH KOREAN DEFENCE WITH THE HANDLING OVER LAST THURSDAY (12 DECEMBER) OF A NUMBER OF M-16 RIFLES AND SIX NEW BELL IROQUOIS HELICOPTERS. THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY WAS PERFORMED BY THE COMMANDER OF THE U.S. FORCES IN KOREA, GENERAL CHARLES BONESTEEL. ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF GENERAL KIM KAE-WOM, RECEIVED THEM ON BEHALF OF THE KOREAN GOVERNMENT.

THE LIGHT-WEIGHT FAST-FIRING M-16 RIFLES WERE FIRST ISSUED TO KOREAN FORCES IN VIETNAM LAST YEAR. THE FIRST OF THE LATEST SHIPMENT WILL BE RELEASED TO PERSONNEL STATIONED IN FRONTLINE AND COASTAL AREAS WHERE GUERILLA ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN INCREASING.

THE HELICOPTERS WILL BE USED TO FORM AN ASSAULT HELICOPTER COMPANY - THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN THE KOREAN ARMY. THE CRAFT, ARMED WITH MACHINE GUNS AND OTHER WEAPONS, WILL BE USED FOR SPEEDY OPERATION AGAINST INFILTRATORS.

DURING THE CEREMONIAL HANDING-OVER THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE SYMBOL WAS REPLACED ON THE HELICOPTERS BY THE KOREAN SYMBOL.

THEN THE AIRCRAFT, WITH SOUTH KOREAN PILOTS AT THE CONTROLS, TOOK OFF IN A DEMONSTRATION OF THEIR CAPABILITIES.