Phase three began on August 27, and lasted until September 28. The objective of this phase was for the 327th and the 502nd infantry to conduct patrols, sweeps and search and destroy operations in an attempt to keep route 19 open while the 1st cavalry division arrived at their new base camp. A total of 23 separate operations were conducted including 8 air mobile assaults, but aside from one serious engagement on the 18–21 September at An Ninh, Vietnamese resistance was light. This engagement was known as Operation Gibraltar or the Battle of An Ninh and was the only major engagement under Highland's scope.
