Returning to North Carolina in March, final preparations were carried out to meet the projected deployment date in May 1966.

The expected deployment of the entire 3d FORECON did not occur, but a two-platoon detachment embarked on the USS Boxer, transited through the Suez Canal, and arrived in country in time to be introduced to combat in Operation Hastings as part of the Special Landing Force Alpha in early July 1966.

They patrolled in Thừa Thiên Province, until early January, 1967, when a task-organized "Special Purpose group" carried out a prisoner rescue attempt.

The remainder were sent to Khe Sanh Combat Base where they developed the intelligence of a large enemy buildup, that was the prelude to The Hill Fights that occurred in April 1967.

Having been brought up to strength and operational readiness, 3d FORECON was reunited on 27 May 1967, just in time for the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) offensive to seize Quang Tri Province.

The logistics element arrive at the "Ramp" at Đông Hà Combat Base just in time for the opening salvos of the PAVN artillery attacks that would continue daily until late Autumn.

The operational element experienced a mortar attack in Phu Bai at the same time resulting in several shrapnel wounds, only one of which, required evacuation.

The new arrivals were integrated with combat veterans and the entire eighteen teams conducted a zone reconnaissance in the CoBi-Than Tan valley northwest of Huế before displacing to Đông Hà.