Marines prepare to go out on a sweep as the early morning sun tries to break through the clouds, having just risen above the mountains. The Marines of 1st Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division are taking part in Operation Pipestone Canyon, aimed at clearing the Communists off of their haven, Go Noi Island, 10 miles south of Da Nang and five miles inland from Hoi An. ARVNs, Korean Marines and USMC 1st Division are concentrating on destroying enemy fortifications, bunkers, tunnels and supply areas in an effort to make the island useless to the Communists. The area is fertile and was once heavily populated, but is now a free fire zone.