tlxLastPublishedDate.toLocaleString() : now.toLocaleString(); document.write("Last updated on " + edited); Geographical Location: Camp Friendship is located approximately 125 miles North-East of Bangkok in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima and adjoined The Wild Weasels would remain at Korat along with the F-4s in their specialized mission. It was re-equipped with F-4Es on 5 July. Military Police Support 1967-70 41st ORD Company, Direct Ammunition Support 3/1966-9/1966 44th Engineer Group, HHC/HHD Lt Col. Iceal Hambleton was the only crewmember able to eject, which set into motion an 11 1/2-day search and rescue operation. With their return, the 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron was formed. I have provided letters to this affect to several former buddies who have been approved for exposure to Agent Orange. Ft Hood had made the 4 day flight (with one - U.S. Army Veterans who were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. Also an Army Vet from Korat Thailand 68-69 who has been denied compensation by our VA. - Courtesy of 738th Engr Co in Feb'63 Viet Nam era US Army base. I have read about agent Orange and skin cancer and I am going to the VA to see if this might be related. [3], In March 1967 F-105s from the 388th TFW carried out the first attacks on North Vietnam's Thi Nguyn ironworks, destroying its power plant on 16 March. Aerial photograph of Korat RTAFB, 23 July 1987, 6234th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional), 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, "History of US Army Support Command Thailand (USARSUPTHAI)", "Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Historical Brief", YGBSM "The Story Of The First U.S. SAM-Hunters in Vietnam", "7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron", "U.S. to begin pullout of troops from Thailand", Vietnam Order of Battle Shelby L. Stanton, "44th Engineer Group inactivation orders, January, 1970", USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers1908 to present, Photos Of Camp Friendship US Army Support Command, Thailand. Day 6 - Transfer to Phi Phi Island! From DoD: CHECO Report. I was stationed at NKP Thailand in 1968. Some TDY personnel from the 354th TFW were assigned to the 388th and placed on permanent party status. Consequently, the EF-4C was seen only as an interim Wild Weasel aircraft, pending the introduction of a more suitable type. In March 1972 the 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron moved to Korat from Cam Ranh Air Base. Known deployed squadrons to Korat attached to the 6234th TFW were: On 3 April 1965 the 67th TFS launched the first unsuccessful US airstrike against the Thanh Ha Bridge. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base - Wikipedia, Bob Freitag's "The Vietnam War Years of Korat Royal Thai Air Base" Website, USAF units in Thailand during the Vietnam (American) War - A History Lesson, Top Attractions in Korat City Centre: Tourist Guide to The Gateway to Isaan, Ubon RTAFB - U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War & Today. The 44th TFS returned to Kadena AB, Okinawa and assignment to the 18th TFW, but on 31 December 1966, it became only a paper organization without aircraft. In March 1973 A-7D aircraft were drawn from the deployed 354th TFW squadrons and assigned to the 388th TFW as the 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron. 35th Finance Sec Disb40th MP Battalion, the Guestbook Below toAdd Your Name, DCA In Thailand, the veteran was assigned to Camp Friendship at the Korat Royal Thai Air Base. [2], The United States Army Corps of Engineers were deployed and established a headquarters at the RTAF airfield that later became Korat RTAFB. Support 1963-71 57th Ordinance Company DS70th Aviation Detachment 102 Squadron flies 15 F-16A-15ADF and one F-16B-15ADF Fighting Falcon air defense airplanes acquired from the USAF and delivered to the RTAF in 2003 and 2004. 1,000 feet above the ground. Thomas Madej - TDY from Kunsan to 388th MMS - Munitions Line Delivery - Aug-Nov 1972 - Added March 4, 2018. Cantonment area at Ubon RTAFB, Udorn Thailand area including Don Muang RTAFB - Bangkok International Airport (Vietnam era), Official Department of the Air Force Map In February 1973, after the end of combat operations in Vietnam, the 67th TFS with its EF-4C Wild Weasels were withdrawn and returned to Kadena. Our MPs never patrolled the fences but we were obligated to pull guard duty along the perimeter. Air strikes by the USAF peaked just before the deadline, as the Khmer National Armed Forces engaged a force of about 10,000 Khmer Rouge encircling Phnom Penh. The EC-130s and personnel of 7th ACCS were transferred to the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing at Clark Air Base, Philippines on 22 May 1974. Korat RTAFB detailing areas of the base near the perimeter, Map showing the location of Camp Friendship, Map showing the Cantonment area of Camp Friendship, Map of the Flight Line at "kiwi bird" stenciled on it. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in northeast Thailand, approximately 200km (125mi) northeast of Bangkok and about 4km (2.5mi) south of the centre of the city of Nakhon Ratchasima in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province (also known as "Khorat" or "Korat"), the largest province in Thailand. Camp Friendship Reactionary Force - 1967 [This was sent in by Ron Bookwalter (HHD 519th TC] I am working on updating the individual history of other units, documenting their time in Thailand. The airfield has a single 9,800 + foot runway with a single, full-length parallel taxiway. More than 1,100 people participate, including approximately 500 US service members and 600 service members from Thailand and Singapore. Korat, Thailand 30000 Tel (044) 251652-4 255349, or 255372 Fax (044) 251655 [email protected] Photo Credits Sri Patana Hotel, Korat, Thailand "Make your plans for a Mini-Reunion in Korat at the luxurious Sri Patana from under $15/night (Single Occupancy) to $20/night (Double) - including Room Tax, Service Charge & Continental Breakfast !" R. at 1510, 1642. area near the Weapons Storage and Maintenance Area at Ubon RTAFB, Map of the The new DoD list contains nearly 150 testing and storage locations, with updates that include specific dates of release or containment, as well as 26 additions, including places like Aberdeen. But Ryan Gallucci, director of National Veterans Service for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the new list does not live up to the guidance and recommendations of the GAO report., We have a lot of questions two specific locations that GAO identified arent included on DoDs new list and certain ones that seemingly had verified spraying on the old list are now off the list, Gallucci said. Udorn Thailand, June 1966-67. Do you have USARSUPTHAI, CAMP FRIENDSHIP, KORAT, THAILAND Reunion information you'd like to share Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. Once completed, army forces moved into Camp Friendship, turning the facilities north of the Korat RTAFB runway over to the Thai armed forces. Their primary objective was to create an anti-vehicle barrier. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. 133rd MED Group, HHD Medical Support 1968-70 172nd Transportation Detachment 219th MP Company, Physical Security by Sappers at U-Tapao RTAFB, Return to the Batcat Veterans Benefit homepage. Korat Air Base Thailand and Camp Friendship 1965-1970 militaryvideocom 40.5K subscribers 43K views 15 years ago Like This Movie Trailer? MMQB: What might West Point do with Your Disability? Activist. If not get one. Since where he was stationed in Thailand and it was classified he couldnt be sc. In 1961, the Kennedy administration feared a communist invasion or insurgency inside Thailand would spread from the Laotian Civil War. No family history of pd. Various Japanese facilities were used by the RTAF (including the airfield control tower) until the 1960s. Storage and Maintenance, Missle Maintenance Shop at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Defoiliated Its aircraft and personnel were absorbed by the 44th TFS. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force in northeast Thailand, approximately 200 km northeast of Bangkok and about 4 km south of the centre of the city of Nakhon Ratchasima in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province , the largest province in Thailand. This ended with the opening of Nakhon Ratchasima Airport in the early-1990s. My agent orange appeal is stuck in a 27,000 appeal back-log, Bay Pines Regional VA Office. On 12 June 1972, the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying F-4Ds was deployed from the 3rd TFW, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, in a "Constant Guard" redeployment to support operations over North Vietnam during Operation Linebacker. In Cambodia the USAF carried out a massive bombing campaign to prevent the Khmer Rouge from taking over the country. The base that you are looking for could have been u-tapao Airfield Thailand. Thirty-eight F-5E and F-5F Tiger II fighter-bombers formed the nucleus of the RTAF's defense and tactical firepower. The office recommended that the Pentagon refine the list so that it was as complete and accurate as available records allow, develop a process for updating the list, develop criteria for determining locations and work with VA to keep veterans informed of the information. TMO The 347th became an F-4E wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. Less than a month later, on 17 October the first seven EC-121D aircraft redeployed from Ubon, followed two days later by the arrival of the Batcat EC-121Rs. Thank you for your service My husband served in USAF at Udorn. Ultimately, the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam during March and April 1975 and the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam also was not opposed militarily by the US. The 388th Tactical Fighter Wing used those parts of Camp Friendship for overflow of personnel assigned or deployed to it until the USAF turned Korat Air Base over to the RTAF in early 1976.[30]. My Regional Office is Phoenix, AZ and I am deeply saddened and worried by the events taking place at this time and concerned about the outcome of my claim. Yeah, I know it is a peninsula but that is all I have to go on without getting records but I think they might have been lost in the fire in St. Louis. The Department of Defense has released a new list of locations outside Vietnam where herbicides like Agent Orange were tested and stored, a compilation that could provide some veterans proof of exposure needed to support their VA disability claims. Since the 1980s United States Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet fighters have used Korat as a base during Cobra Gold exercises. In addition to the F-5E and F-5F fighter-bombers, OV-10C counter-insurgency aircraft, transports, and helicopters were added to the RTAF inventory. emergency landing in Guam) to take part in a The wing's efforts merited the Presidential Unit Citation in March 1968. 1966-71 256th AG Company Personnel 1967-71 Day 1 - Bangkok Airport Pickup + Khaosan Road. My 196667 photos on base and off base action. UPDATE: after posting this, I found a better version of the CHECO Report from DoD. Check out this awesome 'USARSUPTHAI+w+VN+Svc+Ribbons' design on @TeePublic! the Royal Thai Air Force Base side of Bangkok International Airport, more Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. and all its contents are property of us-seasia. EB-66s were transferred to Takhli RTAFB in late November 1965 and were used as electronic warfare aircraft, joining strike aircraft during their missions over North Vietnam to jam enemy radar installations. CCK argued, and the Court agreed, that the Board failed to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases for finding the Veteran's lay testimony regarding service along the perimeter of Camp Friendship incredible. [5]:1967 The mission gradually evolved with the addition of new weapons and ECM equipment until the F-4 replaced the F-100 and the F-105D was replaced by the more capable and specialized two-place F-105F and G models. If the vehicles could be stopped, then a major quantity of enemy supplies would be halted. DoD and VA confounded the document by not running it through word recognition software, so it is not quickly searchable by veterans or the internet. These included a C-130E Hercules from 36 Airlift Squadron, 374 Airlift Wing (based at Yokota AB, Japan) in 2006, and a G-222 and a C-130H from the RTAF in 2007. The conversion of USAFE units to the F-4D Phantom enabled some of the European-based F-105Ds to be transferred to Southeast Asia, but this was not sufficient to offset the heavy attrition rate. USARSUPTHAI Go to https://www.militaryvideo.com/ to purchase the. The US was helping the Royal Lao Government achieve whatever advantage possible before working out a settlement with the Pathet Lao and their allies. [2], The host unit was the 44th Engineer Group (Construction), part of the 9th Logistics Command. The USAF would be able to airlift the division into Korat where they could pick up their equipment and move into battle. I also remember them burning around the perimeter of the base. Keep going. [4]:139, On 1415 May 1975, aircraft assigned to Korat provided air cover in what is considered the last battle of the Vietnam war, the recovery of the SS Mayaguez after it was hijacked by the Khmer Rouge. [3], The 388th TFW lost 48 aircraft in combat during 1967. 46th Special Forces (SF) The detachment returned to its main unit at Korat and the 44th TFS was returned to Korat in September 1970 from the 355th TFW to the 388th TFW when the decision was made to consolidate the units of the Wild Weasel mission. An expansion of combat operations from Korat initiated with the arrival of EC-121 Warning Stars of the College Eye Task Force (later designated Det 1, 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing) from Ubon RTAFB and EC-121R Batcats of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing. . On 17 April, the USAF flew its last mission over Laos, attacking a handful of targets requested by the Laotian government. of Veterans Affairs' feet to the fire. Camp Friendship Korat, Thailand 1968-1969 Show more . 46th U.S. Army Special Forces Co 10/66 - 4/74 "In October 1966 Company D, 1st Special Forces Group [Airborne], 1 st Special Forces, which was organized 15 April 1966 at Fort Bragg, arrived in Thailand. File in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format, about 2.6 meg in size. I also was assigned to Bang Pla from 1968 to 1969. Singaporean forces fly F-5Es, F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, KC-130B Hercules, E-2C Hawkeye, CH-47SD Chinooks and AS-532UL Cougars. Korat also housed components of the RTAF and a detachment of No. [30], As soon as the Bangkok bypass road paving was completed, Company B moved to Sattahip to begin construction of Camp Vayama, a 1,000-man troop cantonment area which would eventually become part of a vast port and logistical complex. [16]:188, In addition to strike missions during Operations Linebacker and Linebacker II, A-7Ds of the 354th assumed the combat search and rescue "Sandy" role from the A-1 Skyraider in November 1972 when the remaining Skyraiders were transferred to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force. - starhq Resources and Information. According to DoD spokesman Chuck Prichard, the new list replaces the one from 2018 and is the result of DoDs thorough review of the records for use, storage and testing of Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides outside of Vietnam.. [3], In mid-June 1964 2 HU-16s of the 33d Air Rescue Squadron were deployed to Korat to act as airborne rescue control ships in support of Yankee Team bombing operations over Laos.