Securing LZ Uplift: The 720th MP Battalion in the Central Highlands
The Central Highlands of South Vietnam saw some of the most contested ground of the entire war, and within that vast, forested battleground sat a chain of helicopter landing zones that served as lifelines for ground forces. LZ Uplift, located northeast of Pleiku, was one of the more strategically significant of these helicopter bases, hosting units from the Army of the Republic of Vietnam as well as American advisory and support elements.
For the soldiers assigned to secure these isolated outposts, the work demanded a combination of discipline, vigilance, and endurance that few other assignments required. Military police detachments bore a particular burden, often juggling traffic management, prisoner handling, perimeter watch, and convoy escort within a single rotation. Few postings in Vietnam demanded such a constant shift between clerical precision and combat readiness.
The 720th Military Police Battalion stands as a representative example of the units tasked with these layered responsibilities. Its personnel performed duties that ranged from mundane garrison routines to direct engagement during some of the most intense periods of the conflict, leaving behind a record that continues to draw the attention of historians, families, and veterans.
Origins of LZ Uplift in the Central Highlands
LZ Uplift emerged as a functional helicopter installation during the mid-1960s as American and South Vietnamese forces expanded their presence across the highlands. The base sat within reach of the major population centres of Pleiku and Kontum, both of which were repeatedly contested throughout the conflict. Its position allowed rapid movement of troops, supplies, and wounded personnel across a wide operational area.
The landing zone itself consisted of reinforced pads, ammunition supply points, and accommodation for units rotating through on short cycles. Because the surrounding terrain featured dense jungle and elevated ridgelines, observation posts had to be established at considerable distance from the central hub, stretching the manpower available for security patrols. The mountainous geography created natural ambush points along approach routes, demanding constant attention from those tasked with moving personnel and supplies into and out of the base.
By 1968, the base had become a key node in the broader highlands network. The Tet Offensive of that year placed enormous strain on every installation in the region, and security detachments at LZ Uplift found themselves operating under sustained pressure from probing attacks and infiltrators. The resilience shown during that period became a defining chapter in the base's operational history, withstanding attacks that would have overrun a less well-organised outpost.
Organisational structure of the 720th MP Battalion
The 720th Military Police Battalion was organised along conventional lines for an American MP unit of its era, with a headquarters element, a headquarters detachment, and multiple line companies assigned to specific operational functions. Each company was tailored to a distinct set of duties, allowing the battalion to cover the wide range of responsibilities required at a major base complex.
Personnel were drawn from across the United States, with many soldiers arriving as replacements for casualties or for personnel rotating back to civilian life. The battalion's strength fluctuated throughout the war, swelling during periods of increased operational tempo and contracting as units were reorganised to meet shifting strategic priorities. Training standards remained consistent regardless of strength levels, with new arrivals expected to reach operational readiness within weeks of joining their assigned companies.
Equipment assigned to the battalion included standard small arms for security details, jeeps and three-quarter-ton trucks for convoy escort, and communications gear needed to coordinate with infantry units providing outer ring protection. The variety of vehicles and weapons reflected a soldier's typical day, which might shift from clerical duties in a holding facility to a fully armed convoy sweep within the span of a single shift.
Daily duties at the landing zone
Daily life at LZ Uplift for the military police detachment combined routine garrison work with the constant threat of enemy action. Guards rotated through tower positions, vehicle checkpoints, and foot patrols that ranged from the immediate perimeter to outlying areas requiring regular sweeps. The rhythm of duty shifted constantly between brief moments of relief and sudden bursts of activity triggered by alarms or contact reports.
A typical watch began with a detailed turnover briefing, followed by radio checks and a careful inspection of equipment. Personnel assigned to the main gate processed incoming convoys, verified identification, and inspected vehicles for hidden weapons or unauthorised materiel. Inside the cantonment, other MPs handled the steady flow of paperwork required for detainees passing through holding facilities, an often-overlooked aspect of the battalion's work that demanded careful documentation and procedural discipline.
Convoy escort duties took soldiers onto roads winding through the highlands, where ambushes remained a persistent danger. Drivers navigated terrain that shifted from open farmland to thick forest within a matter of kilometres, and the security of every branch of these convoys depended on the alertness of the MPs riding escort. Stand-down periods were rare, and sleep often came in short, fragmented intervals. Many soldiers remembered the monotony of routine shifts punctuated by moments of acute tension when small arms fire broke out or an unidentified figure was spotted near the perimeter line.
| Operational duty | Personnel per shift | Frequency | Risk profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gate security and identification checks | 4 to 6 | Daily, around the clock | Low to moderate |
| Convoy escort along regional roads | 8 to 10 per convoy | Several each week | High |
| Prisoner processing and detention | 3 to 4 | Daily | Moderate |
| Perimeter patrol and observation tower watch | 6 to 8 | Daily, around the clock | High |
| Investigation, reports, and liaison work | 2 to 3 | As required | Variable |
The variety captured in the table illustrates the breadth of skills required within a single battalion. Few units in Vietnam juggled such a wide spectrum of responsibilities on a continuous basis, and the rotation between duties kept personnel sharp while also exposing them to every category of risk the war could produce.
Operational threats and combat incidents
The record of the 720th MP Battalion includes several engagements in which perimeter security personnel directly faced enemy forces. Sapper attacks on helicopter installations were a recurring threat throughout the war, with teams attempting to penetrate outer defences to damage aircraft and infrastructure. Such attacks were particularly feared because they often came without the warning provided by mortar fire or probing infantry assaults.
During the Tet Offensive of 1968, the pressures on security units across Vietnam reached a peak. Bases throughout the country came under coordinated attack, and detachments assigned to landing zones faced some of the heaviest fighting. Photographs, unit histories, and personal recollections documenting the strain experienced by these units during that period are preserved in the Vietnam War MP archive, a collection that has become a touchstone for researchers tracing the experience of rear-area security personnel.
In addition to major offensives, the battalion dealt with persistent low-level harassment, including mortar and rocket fire directed at the base from distant launch positions. Responding to such attacks required coordination with infantry units positioned outside the perimeter, and MPs were often called upon to assist in tracking launch signatures or securing impact areas for damage assessment teams. Nighttime operations demanded extra vigilance, as attackers frequently used the cover of darkness to approach the wire under the assumption that sentries would be at their least alert.
Cooperation with Australian and allied contingents
The 720th MP Battalion operated within an environment that included personnel from several allied nations, including Australian contingents serving in Vietnam. The 1st Australian Task Force, based at Nui Dat in Phuoc Tuy Province, maintained its own military police detachments, and informal contact between American and Australian MP units was common during port calls, leave periods, and liaison visits.
Australian soldiers often noted the contrast between sprawling American base arrangements and the tighter layouts used by Australian forces. Conversations in mess halls and clubs frequently turned to differences in drill, terminology, and the everyday slang of military life. Words familiar to Australian diggers, such as "drongo" for a hapless individual or "fair dinkum" for something genuine, mingled with American military vernacular in a casual cultural exchange that left lasting impressions on both sides.
Joint operations occasionally brought the two nations' MP units into direct contact. A particular connection formed between detachments handling prisoners of war, where shared procedures and mutual respect made cooperation straightforward. Veterans on both sides often recalled swapping stories over a cold Victoria Bitter or XXXX at the end of a long duty shift, finding common ground in experiences that transcended national differences. Some Australian diggers who later returned home carried photographs and contact details that helped maintain friendships for decades after the war ended.
Legacy of the 720th MP Battalion
The service of the 720th MP Battalion has continued to attract attention from historians, family members, and veterans themselves. Reunion organisations have worked to preserve photographs, after-action reviews, and oral histories that document the battalion's contribution to base security during the war. These collections have proven especially valuable for researchers seeking to understand the day-to-day realities faced by rear-area security units, which are often overshadowed by accounts of frontline combat.
Memorial efforts in the United States and abroad have ensured that the sacrifices made by MP personnel are not forgotten. Australian connections to the Vietnam War remain strong, with commemorative events held each year at locations such as the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra, where the broader story of allied service is regularly recounted. Local RSL sub-branches in towns like Warrnambool, Shepparton, and Townsville mark these anniversaries and continue to support surviving veterans through advocacy, welfare programmes, and community gatherings that keep the history alive for each new generation.
For researchers and family historians, accessible online archives have made it possible to reconstruct service records that might once have been difficult to obtain. The procedures developed and refined by units like the 720th MP Battalion during their time in Vietnam continue to shape modern military police doctrine, with convoy security, base access control, and detainee handling protocols tracing their lineage directly back to lessons learned in the highlands.
