In the Spring of 1970, units from the 2/501st including A Company were deployed on and around Firebase Rhakasson. Nearby, Firebase Ripcord was under attack. The attacks continued for four months into the summer. Four Chinooks were shot down over the firebase during the attacks. The fourth Chinook crashed into a main artillery ammo dump on Ripcord and burst into flames. Over 400 rounds of 105mm ammo began to cook off and explode. The detonations lasted for 8 hours, destroying all six of the howitzers on Ripcord. All units on Ripcord had to eventually be evacuated.