The combat elements associated with CCS were used to reinforce and assist in the recon mission. The first MACV-SOG recon teams were initially called “SPIKE TEAMS”, later “RECON TEAMS” each team (depending on what book you read!) consisting of 3 US SF personnel and 9 indigenous personnel. CCS fielded approximately 30 recon teams which were named after US States.
Recon teams that got into difficulty could call for assistance from US led reaction forces known as “HATCHET FORCES”, these were of platoon size and consisted of 5 US SF and about 30 indigenous personnel. “HATCHET FORCES” could also be used for ambushes as well as reinforcing recon teams when needed. Two or more “HATCHET FORCES” combined were termed as a “HAVOC” or “HORNET” force. Full SOG companies were called “SLAM” companies, Search, Location, Annihilation, Monitor (or Mission). Of these CCC had 4, A,B,C, and D, and used US paid indigenous personnel recruited and paid for by MACV-SOG.
Command and Control South (CCS) was a new field command created by MACV-SOG when permission was granted to conduct cross-border missions into Cambodia. Commanded by a Major, and later a LtCol., CCS was the smallest of the MACV-SOG field commands and was engaged in classified special unconventional warfare missions inside VC-dominated South Vietnam and throughout Cambodia. Its organization was similar to that of CCC. It contained Spike recon teams (RT), Hatchet forces, and four SLAM companies. Cross-border operations had been conducted into northeastern Cambodia since May 1967 under Project DANIEL BOONE, later known as SALEM HOUSE. In 1971 the name was changed to THOT NOT. CCS folded in March 1971 when MACV-SOG created Task Force I Advisory Element at Da Nang.