In K Company, the four man LRRP teams were designated R (for Ranger) plus a number. Beginning in October ’69 through February or March ’70, R-18 consisted of the same four team members. During radio communications, the phonetic alphabet was in use … thus, R-18 was “Romeo one-eight”.
The team leader was Sgt Gary Heald from Tulsa, Oklahoma and Ranger School at Fort Benning.
The assistant team leader was Spec 4 Bob Holmen from Upsala, Minnesota.
PFC Billy Powers was from Dallas, Texas.
PFC Mark Estopare was from St. Louis, Missouri.