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The Battle of Ap Bac, Vietnam 2 January 1963

Tandem-rotor military helicopter hovering over a grassy field
Simulation scene of flooded fields lined with palm trees, grid of markers on the ground, and compass and watch icons overlay
 

This Virtual Staff Ride (VSR) examines the Battle of Ap Bac (2 JAN 1963) during the transition from Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) – Vietnam to Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV). The study focuses on Advisor Team 75’s efforts supporting the Army of the Republic of Vietnam’s 7th Infantry Division on a mission to attack and destroy a radio transmitter located in the village of Ap Tan Thoi.

The primary learning objective is to discuss the insights and lessons learned in advisory missions supporting Foreign Internal Defense (FID), advisor roles and responsibilities, conducting advisor activities against an adaptive and determined insurgency, and the advisor’s mission in the broader spectrum of war.

Ap Bac is fully exportable to any organization that has access to the Army-licensed gaming software, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Each exportable package includes full instructor support materials, student readings, and instructions on how to use everything. Please see below.

Ap Bac Virtual Staff Ride Material

Ap Bac VSR Introduction

Ap Bac VSR Introduction

This file provides an overview of the VSR, what products comprise the VSR, how to download the products, and how they are used to conduct the VSR. The exportable VSR contains all the elements of a “ground” staff ride, but with the terrain being presented with a computer in a classroom environment.

Download the VSR Introduction

Virtual Battlespace 3 Instructions

Virtual Terrain for Ap Bac

The VSR runs off the Army’s games-for-training platform, Virtual Battlespace 3 (VBS3). Only current VBS3 license holders can operate the program; new download authorizations are no longer available through Milgaming.  Use this link to access Milgaming for more information. Authorized users of VBS3 must then upload our Ap Bac terrain and model files into VBS3. Detailed instructions on how to complete this process are at the Milgaming link. For technical questions or issues relating to VBS3, contact customer support at Bohemia Interactive Simulations at (866) 755-5127.

Army Milgaming Site

Preliminary Study Materials

Preliminary Study Materials

These materials help prepare staff ride participants for their virtual visit to the campaign area. The Ap Bac read ahead is compiled from a range of CMH and archival material

Download the Read Ahead

Field Phase and Materials

Field Phase and Materials

These resources are for the staff ride facilitator or instructor. The notes are the materials the instructor uses to tie the terrain, the historical narrative, and the visual aids together. The visual aids help keep the participants oriented to the virtual terrain and to the historical context of the operation.

Download the Instructor Notes

Download the Operators Notes

Download the Visual Aids