After the helicopter demonstrated its early battlefield capabilities in the Korean War, the United States Army began experimenting with expanded roles and missions for them.

This culminated in 1962 with the formation of the Tactical Mobility Requirements Board, which strongly recommended the adaptation of helicopters in a variety of roles and missions.

When the 11th Air Assault was redesignated as the 1st Cavalry Division and sent to Vietnam, the 3/377th became the 2nd Battalion, 20th Artillery (using the radio call sign "Blue Max").

This allowed the artillery commander (usually a colonel) to coordinate ARA activities with other fire support missions (howitzers, air strikes, and so on).

According to one historian's authoritative account of the First Cavalry Division's actions in Vietnam, the conversion to Cobras gave the 2/20th ARA "the firepower equivalent to three conventional artillery batteries.

Like all aircraft, ARA units had difficulty conducting missions during bad weather or at night (although this was less of a consideration for the more advanced AH-1G).

The 1st Cavalry Division locally designed and produced slings, allowing the 155 mm guns to be moved by their heavy CH-54 "Flying Crane" helicopters.

Evolving from test units, ARA gunships (along with those assigned to lift companies and air cavalry troops) provided a source of supporting fire in Vietnam known for its "flexibility, accuracy, and immediate response" to any combat situation within range.

The AH-1G Cobra was a direct result of the successes of the early armed UH-1Bs and UH-1Cs and remained in service well after the last ARA battery was decommissioned.