In June 1969 the new II Field Force commander Lt. Gen. Julian Ewell initiated the Dong Tien (or "Progress Together") Program with III Corps commander, General Đỗ Cao Trí, to "buddy up US and ARVN units to conduct combined operations [that would]... maximize the effectiveness of both forces [and] achieve in 2, 3, or 4 months a quantum jump in ARVN and RF/PF performance."
In June 1969, Lt. Gen. Julian Ewell introduced the Dong Tien (or "Together for Progress") Program with General Đỗ Cao Trí, III Corps commander, to pair US and ARVN units in joint operations that would enhance both forces' efficiency and achieve significant improvements in ARVN and RF/PF performance within 2-4 months.