Phan Rang Air Base
Phan Rang Air Base Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) Pacific Air Forces (USAF) | |
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Coordinates | 11°38′06″N 108°57′01″E / 11.63500°N 108.95028°E |
Type | Air Force Base |
Site information | |
Controlled by | Vietnam People's Air Force
14th Special Operations Wing (USAF) |
Airfield information | |||||||||||||||||||
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Coordinates | 11°38′01″N 108°57′07″E / 11.63361°N 108.95194°E | ||||||||||||||||||
Runways | |||||||||||||||||||
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Phan Rang Air Base (also called Thành Sơn Air Base) is a
Initially built by the
It was seized by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) in April 1975 and has been in use by the VPAF ever since.
Origins
The airfield at Phan Rang was used by the
USAF use during the Vietnam War
1965-6 Reconstruction
In April 1965
In late-August 1965 the newly arrived US Army 62nd Engineer Battalion (Construction) was ordered to build a jet-capable airfield at Phan Rang. Commencing construction in September the Army Engineers built a 10,000-foot (3,000 m) AM-2 aluminum matting runway and open aircraft revetments.[2] Bad weather and shortages of concrete, piping and aluminum matting delayed the base construction, with the completion date progressively delayed to December 1965 and then April 1966.[2]: 37 [1]: 87 With the movement of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division to Phan Rang to provide security for base construction the 62nd Engineer Battalion was also required to construct a base for the 1st Brigade.[2]: 59 While the 62nd Engineers constructed the temporary runway, American construction consortium RMK-BRJ was working on a permanent 10,000-foot (3,000 m) concrete runway, taxiways and parking areas.[2]: 136 In January 1966 the USAF 554th RED HORSE Squadron arrived at the base to assist with construction.[2]: 137
The temporary aluminum runway became operational on 20 February and by mid-March all the interim facilities were operational.[2]: 136–7 Heavy rain in May 1966 and rushed construction led to damage to the aluminum runway and taxiways and in June the 62nd Engineers rebuilt the taxiways while the 554th RED HORSE and RMK-BRJ rebuilt the runway, reducing its available length to 6,000-foot (1,800 m).[2]: 137 [1]: 154–5 The 62nd Engineers also built a 46,000-barrel fuel storage area, a six-inch pipeline to the beach and two 8-inch submarine pipelines from the beach to an offshore floating mooring and discharge facility.[2]: 137 On 12 October 1966 RMK-BMJ completed the concrete runway and 4 connecting taxiways. By the end of the year the base was fully completed with powerplant, water and sewage system, operations, accommodation and other structures.[2]: 138 [3]
The USAF forces stationed there were under the command of the
366th Tactical Fighter Wing
Due to the delays in completion of the base, the
: 113On 14 March 1966 the F-4C equipped 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron arrived at the base becoming the first USAF squadron to deploy there.[1]: 113 [4]
On 20 March 1966 the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing was the first permanent USAF organization to be stationed at Phan Rang Air Base.[1]: 120 [5][6] The rain damage to the base in May 1966 delayed the deployment of the 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron from Cam Ranh AB and the 480th TFS from Da Nang AB.[1]: 120 The squadrons assigned to the 366th TFW during this period were:
- F-100D/F Super Sabre) [6]
- 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron[6]
- Detachment 1, 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron: from 15 May 1966 (F-100)[6]
- 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron: from 18 September 1966 (F-100D/F)[6]
- 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron: from 16 July 1966(F-100D/F)[6]
The US population at the base increased dramatically from 118 in March 1966 to over 4,500 in September 1966. This increase led to pressure on accommodation and maintenance facilities which were still under construction;[1]: 172–3 the growth of prostitution in the "sin strip" outside the base; and an increase in employment of Vietnamese on the base, growing to 1000 by the end of 1966.[1]: 176
On 10 October 1966, the 366th TFW and the 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron moved to Da Nang AB and the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Da Nang AB moved to Phan Rang.[1]: 155 [6]: 195
35th Tactical Fighter Wing
On 10 October 1966 the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing took over as the host unit at Phan Rang.[7][6]: 62
Units assigned to the 35th TFW were:
- 120th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 30 April 1968 – 18 April 1969 (F-100C/F Tail Code: VS)[7]
- 352d Tactical Fighter Squadron: 10 October 1966 – 31 July 1971 (F-100D/F Tail Code: VM)[7]
- 612th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 10 October 1966 – 8 January 1967 and 14 April 1969 – 15 March 1971 (F-100D/F Tail Code: VS)[7]
- 614th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 10 October 1966 – 31 July 1971 (F-100D/F Tail Code: VP)[7]
- 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron: 10 October 1966 – 31 July 1971 (F-100D/F Tail Code: VZ)[7]
Missions included air support of ground forces, interdiction, visual and armed reconnaissance, strike assessment photography, escort, close and direct air support, and rapid reaction alert. It struck enemy bases and supply caches in the Parrot's Beak just inside the Cambodian border, April–May 1970 and provided close air support and interdiction in support of South Vietnamese operations in Laos and Cambodia, January–June 1971.[7]
B-57 Tactical Bombers
The
: 62B-57 units assigned to the 35th TFWA at Phan Rang were as follows:
- 8th Tactical Bombardment Squadron: 12 October 1966 – 15 November 1969 (B-57B/C/E Tail Code: PQ)[8][6]: 60
- 13th Tactical Bombardment Squadron: 12 October 1966 – 15 January 1968 (B-57B/C/E Tail Code: PV)[9][6]: 60
- 2 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force: 19 April 1967 – 4 June 1971 (Canberra B.20)[6]: 60 [10]
On 24 December 1966, 3 Operation Tropic Moon II B-57s, experimentally fitted with a low light level television system carried in a pod underneath the port wing arrived at Phan Rang.[1]: 227–8
By November 1969 the 8th Bombardment Squadron's strength was down to only 9 aircraft, and it was decided that it was time to retire the B-57B from active service. The surviving aircraft were sent back to the United States in September and October and the 8th Bombardment Squadron was moved to Bien Hoa Air Base and redesignated the 8th Special Operations Squadron.[8]
The RAAF Canberras continued operations from Phan Rang AB until they were withdrawn in June 1971.[10]
Further developments, deployments and attacks
Detachment 1,
In November 1967 Phan Rang became a forward operating location for 4 AC-47 Spooky gunships of the newly-activated 14th Air Commando Squadron.[12]
On 31 January 1968 at the start of the Tet Offensive, naval gunfire from USS Mansfield was used to deter a VC attack on the base and gunfire from the USS New Jersey later deterred a similar attack.[13]
On 15 April 1968 the 550-man 821st Combat Security Police Squadron was deployed to the base on temporary duty, they were replaced by the 822nd Combat Security Police Squadron in August 1968. The 822nd was replaced by the 823rd Combat Security Police Squadron in March 1969 and was then replaced by the 821st in August 1969. The 821st remained at Phan Rang until February 1971 when it was inactivated.[13]: 110–1
In mid-September 1968 the Federalized Utah National Guard 116th Engineer Combat Battalion deployed to Phan Rang Air Base to begin a ten-month tour of duty.[2]: 394
Between 10 August 1968 and 31 May 1969, the 554th Civil Engineering Squadron built an armament and electronics shop, fire station, a concrete access taxiway, 6 troop barracks and 2 officers quarters protecting by a revetment wall, a 49,000-square-yard asphalt hardstand, and a base theater.[2]: 451
Commencing in October 1968, USAF engineers built 61 "Wonderarch" aircraft shelters at Phan Rang.[2]: 452
On 3 May 1970 VC sappers attacked the base but were repulsed with minor damage and no Allied casualties. On 10 September VC attacked the main gate but were also repulsed with little damage and no Allied casualties.[14]
315th Air Commando Wing/Special Operations Wing
The 315th Air Commando Wing (Troop Carrier) moved to Phan Rang from Tan Son Nhut Air Base on 15 June 1967 and became a tenant unit supported by the 35th Combat Support Group.[15][6]: 164 Initially designated as the 315th Air Commando Wing, it was redesignated the 315th Special Operations Wing on 1 August 1968.[6]: 163 Squadrons assigned were:
- 12th Special Operations Squadron: 15 June 1967 – 30 September 1970 (C-123B/K)[6]: 164 [16]
- 19th Special Operations Squadron: 15 June 1967 – 30 June 1971 (C-123B/K Tail Code: WE)[6]: 164 [17]
- 309th Special Operations Squadron: 15 June 1967 – 31 July 1970 (C-123B/K Tail Code: WH)[6]: 164
- 310th Special Operations Squadron: 15 June 1967 – 15 January 1972 (C-123B/K Tail Code: WM)[6]: 164
- 311th Special Operations Squadron: 15 June 1967 – 15 October 1971 (C-123B/K Tail Code: WV)[6]: 164 [18]
Operations included aerial movement of troops and cargo, flare drops, aeromedical evacuation, and air-drops of critical supplies and paratroops.[15] In 1971–1972 the unit helped to train C-123 aircrews for the RVNAF. The wing was redesignated as the 315th Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 January 1970 and was inactivated on 31 March 1972.[15][6]: 165
Counter-insurgency aircraft
In 1971 the 315th TAW expanded its mission with the control of the interdiction and the psychological warfare and visual reconnaissance operations of the following counter-insurgency squadrons:[6]: 165
- 8th Special Operations Squadron: 31 July 1971 – 15 January 1972 (A-37B Dragonfly Tail Code: CG)[8][6]: 164
- 9th Special Operations Squadron: 30 September 1971 – 29 February 1972 (O-2 Skymaster)[19][6]: 164
On 15 January 1972, the 8th Special Operations Squadron was reassigned to Bien Hoa AB as part of the USAF drawdown at Phan Rang.[8] The 9th SOS was inactivated on 29 February 1972.[19]
14th Special Operations Wing
The 14th Special Operations Wing operated from Phan Rang from 15 October 1969, transferring operational squadrons from Nha Trang Air Base and became a tenant unit supported by the 35th Combat Support Group.[20][6]: 29
The 14th SOW's operations included close and direct air support, interdiction, unconventional warfare, counter-insurgency operations, psychological warfare (including leaflet dropping and aerial broadcasting) and flare drops. Squadrons assigned were:
- 4th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 15 December 1969 (AC-47D Spooky)[12]: 71
- 9th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 30 September 1971 (C-47)[20]
- 15th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 31 October 1970 (C-130E Combat Talon)[20]
- 17th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 30 September 1971 (AC-119G Shadow)[12]: 203
- 18th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 25 August 1971 (AC-119K Stinger)[12]: 203
- 20th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 1 September 1971 (UH-1P)[20]
- 90th Special Operations Squadron: 31 October 1970 – 1 September 1971 (AC-123K)[20]
- 604th Special Operations Squadron (detached): 15 October 1969 - I March 1970 (A-37A)[6]: 29
Flying from Phan Rang sorties were flown over target areas consisting of the
USAF withdrawal
The 35th TFW was inactivated on 31 July 1971 as part of the general drawdown of United States forces in South Vietnam with the wing's remaining resources passing to the 315th Tactical Airlift Wing.[7] The 352d TFS and the 615th TFS were inactivated in place along with the 35th TFW, standing down from operations on 26 June 1971. The 612th TFS and 614th TFS were inactivated in place on 31 July 1971.
The 315th TAW inactivated in place on 30 September 1971 as part of the US withdrawal from South Vietnam, and jurisdiction of Phan Rang Air Base was turned over to the South Vietnamese.[6]: 165
RVNAF use of Phan Rang Air Base
The base was progressively handed over to the RVNAF in March–May 1972.[2]: 573 After the American withdrawal the RVNAF 92d Tactical Wing at Nha Trang AB moved to Phan Rang Air, operating A-37s and UH-1 helicopters.
In addition to the operational missions, the RVNAF 920th Training Squadron operated T-37Bs for initial jet training for its aviation cadets. American policy in Vietnam after 1970 was aimed at self-sufficiency for the RVNAF so the South Vietnamese could maintain the level of security that had been won jointly by the United States and South Vietnam. The United States would continue to provide material support for the defense of South Vietnam, but it was expected that the RVNAF would have the capability to use United States equipment effectively. If that capability could be developed, the RVNAF would be judged self-sufficient.
However, this training had to be halted in June 1974 for lack of logistic support and financial reasons due to United States aid reduction.
Units at Phan Rang Air Base were under the command of the RVNAF 2d Air Division at Nha Trang AB.
92d Tactical Wing
- 524th/534th/548th Fighter Squadron A-37
- Det D 259th Helicopter Squadron UH-1H (Medevac)
On 15 September 1974 a hijacker took control of an Air Vietnam Boeing 727-121C on a flight from Da Nang to Saigon and demanded to be flown to Hanoi. The crew attempted to land at the base, overshot the landing and then crashed while turning to make another approach killing all 75 onboard.[21]
Capture of Phan Rang Air Base
Following the
On 1 April crowds of ARVN and civilians began descending on the base from Nha Trang and Cam Ranh seeking evacuation to Saigon. That night the ARVN
On 2 April the 2nd Air Division commander BG Nguyễn Văn Lương left Phan Rang in his C-47 to go for meetings at Tan Son Nhut setting off panic among the RVNAF and ARVN forces at the base who believed he was abandoning them and leading to a chaos as panicked South Vietnamese swarmed aircraft that departed haphazardly for bases further south. Two RAAF C-130s landed at the base to evacuate civilians and were mobbed as they tried to leave. Order was eventually restored by the 3rd Airborne Brigade as the refugees were evacuated.[22]
On the morning of 3 April 1975 the RVNAF at Phan Rang launched a heliborne operation comprising more than 40 UH-1s and 6
On 4 April the 2 remaining provinces of II Corps were incorporated into III Corps and LG
From 7 to 8 April the 2nd Airborne Brigade flew into Phan Rang to replace the 3rd Airborne Brigade which moved back to Saigon.[22]: 395 On 8 April the 3rd Airborne Battalion cleared Highway 1 and recaptured the villages of Bà Râu (11°43′08″N 109°03′47″E / 11.7188°N 109.063°E) and Ba Thap (11°40′48″N 109°02′17″E / 11.68°N 109.038°E) from the VC and the 11th Airborne Battalion then deployed by helicopters to recapture Du Long town (11°46′52″N 109°04′41″E / 11.781°N 109.078°E) and the Du Long Pass (11°47′35″N 109°05′31″E / 11.793°N 109.092°E), meanwhile the 5th Airborne Battalion secured the area around Phan Rang AB and cleared Route 11.[22]: 396
On 10 April the PAVN 10th Division left Cam Ranh and moved along Route 450 to join up with Route 11 to take Dalat, passing within 12 miles (19 km) of Phan Rang AB. When RVNAF reconnaissance aircraft observed the movement of the 10th Division, Phan Rang based A-37s began attacking the column, destroying 6 river-crossing vehicles on 10 April, 5 trucks on 11 April, 7 trucks on 12 April and 9 trucks on 13 April.[22]: 371–2
On 11 April the 5th Airborne Battalion was withdrawn to Saigon and on 12 April the rest of the 2nd Airborne Brigade was ordered to withdraw to Saigon. On 13 April the 31st Rangers arrived by air from Bien Hoa while the ARVN 4th and 5th Regiments, 2nd Division arrived by road from Phan Thiết to replace the Airborne. The 31st Rangers deployed to Du Long to replace the 11th Airborne Battalion on the evening of 13 April.[22]: 410–1
The PAVN meanwhile had decided to eliminate Phan Rang and at 05:30 on 14 April the PAVN
At the same time as the attack on Du Long, the PAVN 25th Regiment infiltrated to attack Phan Rang AB. Despite helicopter gunship fire they successfully penetrated the base and headed for the hangar area where they were met by the 11th Airborne Battalion awaiting transport back to Saigon and 4 M113 armored personnel carriers which together with air support from the helicopter gunships and A-37s forced the PAVN back outside the perimeter, killing over 100 for the loss of 6 ARVN killed and 1 M113 destroyed.[22]: 412–3
At dawn on 15 April the PAVN shelled the 3rd Airborne Battalion at Bà Râu and Kien Kien (11°42′14″N 109°03′34″E / 11.704°N 109.0595°E) on Route 1 and then attacked their position. Although outnumbered, the Airborne held back the assault until midday when it blew the highway bridge and then withdrew onto Ca Dau mountain to the east.[22]: 413
At 02:00 on 16 April an RVNAF EC-47 intercepted a PAVN radio transmission indicating an armored attack on Phan Rang would start at 05:00. A-37 aircraft were launched to attack PAVN positions along Route 1 and at 03:00 reconnaissance reported a large PAVN force moving through the Du Long Pass. Meanwhile, VC forces began attacking the base perimeter and on Ca Dau Mountain.
As the base was falling an A-37 braved the PAVN fire and landed rescuing RVNAF 92nd Wing commander Colonel Le Van Thao. Of the Wing's 72 A-37s, only 24 escaped on 16 April with the rest having been shot down or abandoned.[22]: 425
Post 1975 VPAF use
With its capture, Phan Rang Air Base became a VPAF base. It is unclear to what extent the former USAF facilities were used, although aerial imagery shows that a large amount of the station was torn down over the years, the large base simply being too big for the VPAF, in addition the 04R/22L runway was inactivated, and today is almost obliterated. A few of the hangars remain standing, others have been torn down. The large aircraft parking ramp and concrete aircraft shelters remain, although the shelters appear to have been left unused. Steel and sand revetments also remain on the ramp.
The captured aircraft at Phan Rang AB were later used by the VPAF in missions during the Cambodian–Vietnamese War. The A-37s flew most of the ground support missions in those conflicts, being more suited to the role than the VPAF's MiG-17s and MiG-21s. Several squadrons of captured UH-1H Hueys were also operated by the VPAF for many years from Phan Rang.
The base is now used by the VPAF 937th Fighter Regiment equipped with Sukhoi Su-30MK2Vs, Sukhoi Su-27SK and Su-27UBK fighters.
See also
- Republic of Vietnam Air Force
- United States Air Force in South Vietnam
- United States Pacific Air Forces
- Seventh Air Force
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^ ISBN 9780912799513.
- ^ ISBN 9781517301965.
- ISBN 978-1555716257.
- ^ Dollman, TSG David (4 October 2016). "Factsheet 389 Fighter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "366th Fighter Wing History". Mountain Home Air Force Base. 2 April 2007.
- ^ ISBN 0912799129.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Robertson, Patsy (19 June 2017). "35 Fighter Wing (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- ^ a b c d e Dollman, David (1 February 2017). "8 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b "13 Bomb Squadron (AFGSC)". 30 August 2011.
- ^ a b "No. 2 Squadron RAAF". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ISBN 9781410222640. Archived(PDF) from the original on 26 July 2018.
- ^ ISBN 9781428993648.
- ^ ISBN 9781410222565. Archived from the original(PDF) on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
- ISBN 9781478118640.
- ^ a b c "315th Airlift Wing History: Vietnam". 15 June 2006.
- ^ Kane, Robert B. (19 March 2012). "Factsheet 12 Airborne Command and Control Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ "19th Special Operations Squadron". Hurlburt Field, USAF. 8 July 2008. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ Bailey, Carl E. (10 December 2007). "Factsheet 311 Airlift Squadron (AMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
- ^ a b Dollman, David (15 May 2017). "9 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Robertson, Patsy (19 June 2017). "Factsheet 14 Flying Training Wing (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency.
- ^ "Aircraft accident Boeing 727-121C". Aviation Safety network. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
- ^ ISBN 9781594035722.
Bibliography
- Endicott, Judy G. (1999) Active Air Force wings as of 1 October 1995; USAF active flying, space, and missile squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. CD-ROM.
- Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0-88740-513-4.
- Mesco, Jim (1987) VNAF Republic of Vietnam Air Force 1945–1975 Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN 0-89747-193-8
- Mikesh, Robert C. (2005) Flying Dragons: The Republic of Vietnam Air Force. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 0-7643-2158-7
- USAF Historical Research Division/Organizational History Branch – 35th Fighter Wing, 366th Wing
- VNAF – The Republic of Vietnam Air Force 1951–1975 Archived 2 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to present
External links
- SE Asia and Vietnam War History: Royal Australian Air Force
- No. 2 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force Archived 15 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- The B-57 in Vietnam
- Phan Rang Air Base 315 SOW
- Phan Rang Air Base Early "Gray Eagle" Period
- A Pilot Returns, by John Nettleton
- 1882nd Communications Squadron Phan Rang AB
- The short film STAFF FILM REPORT 66-13A (1966) is available for free viewing and download at the Internet Archive.