The Central Highlands, in II Corps, masked crucial supply routes carrying munitions and support to People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and Viet Cong (VC) operations further south and COMUSMACV General William Westmoreland, aimed to contest any incursions into the area.

The operation was mounted to relieve elements of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 42nd Regiment, 22nd Division under siege at Toumorong (14°53′10″N 107°57′36″E / 14.886°N 107.96°E / 14.886; 107.96) northeast of Đắk Tô.

[1]: 8  Company C 2/502nd was trapped in a bowl surrounded by PAVN on 3 sides in close contact and threatening to overrun their position.

The two orbiting F-4Cs dropped napalm which hit inside and outside the Company perimeter breaking up the PAVN attack.

As Company A 1/327th withdrew it ran into an entrenched PAVN Battalion and was only able to disengage with the help of close air support and artillery fire.