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Coordinates: 10°58′37″N 106°49′06″E / 10.97694, 106.81833

Bien Hoa Air Base

IATA: none – ICAO:
Summary
Airport type military
Elevation AMSL 79 ft / 24 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
09L/27R 10,000 3,048 Concrete
09R/27L 10,000 3,048 Concrete
F-5C of the 522d Fighter Squadron/23rd Tactical Wing - Bien Hoa Air Base, 1971
F-5C of the 522d Fighter Squadron/23rd Tactical Wing - Bien Hoa Air Base, 1971
O-1 observation aircraft of the 112th Liaison Squadron / 23rd Tactical Wing - South Vietnamese Air Force - Bien Hoa Air Base - 1971
O-1 observation aircraft of the 112th Liaison Squadron / 23rd Tactical Wing - South Vietnamese Air Force - Bien Hoa Air Base - 1971

Bien Hoa Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force (Khong Quan Nhan Dan Viet Nam) military airfield located in South-Central southern Vietnam about 20 miles (30 kilometers) from Saigon near the city of Bien Hoa within Dong Nai Province. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. An IATA airport code, also known an IATA location identifier, IATA station code or simply a location identifier, is a three-letter code designating many The ICAO (ˌaɪˌkeɪˈoʊ Airport code or location indicator is a four-letter Alphanumeric Code designating each airport around The term above mean sea level ( AMSL) refers to the Elevation (on the ground or Altitude (in the Air) of any object relative to the A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A runway ( RWY) is a strip of land on an Airport, on which Aircraft can take off and land. A runway ( RWY) is a strip of land on an Airport, on which Aircraft can take off and land. A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International Vietnamese Air Force or Không Quân Nhân Dân Việt Nam is the Air force of Vietnam. Biên Hòa is a city in Dong Nai Province, Vietnam, about 20 miles (30 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City, to which Bien Hoa is linked by Vietnam

During the Vietnam Wars (1955-1975), the base was used by the Republic of Vietnam Air Force Force (VNAF). The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia History The VNAF (abbreviation for V iet N am A ir F orce Vietnamese is "Không Quân Việt Nam" started off as a few hand The United States used it as a major base from 1961 through 1973, stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The APO for Bien Hoa Air Base was APO San Francisco, 96490

Contents

Origns

Bien Hoa was located on quiet, flat grounds in a rural area 15 miles (24 km) north of Saigon. The airport at Bien Hoa was a minor grass strip when on 1 June 1955 Bien Hoa Air Base became the VNAF's logistics support base when the French evacuated their main depot at Hanoi. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1955 ( MCMLV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1955 Gregorian calendar) Hanoi ( Vietnamese: Hà Nội Hán Tự: 河[[wikt 内|内]], estimated population 3398889 (2007, is the Capital of Vietnam At that time. the VNAF was in its final days as an auxiliary air arm under total French control.

Not long after it was established as a VNAF base the facility took on a tactical role as well as that of a depot. It was here that the VNAF's 1st Fighter Squadron (later renumbered the 5141st FS) was formed on 1 June 1956. Events 193 - Roman Emperor Didius Julianus is Assassinated 987 - Hugh Capet is elected Year 1956 ( MCMLVI) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. From this point. Bien Hoa became the base of newly formed and continually growing air units. The VNAF 2311th Air Group, later to become an Air Wing, and the 311th Air Division were also stationed there. and the base supported the greatest number of air combat units than any other have throughout South Vietnam.

With the influx of USAF tactical air units in the early 1960s, Bien Hoa hecame a joint operating base for both VNAF and USAF organizations.

Known VNAF Units At Bien Hoa (June 1974 Table Of Organization)

With the withdrawal of American Forces from South Vietnam in February 1973 the VNAF used Bien Hoa as a major operating base. Bien Hoa Air Base was the headquarters of the VNAF 3d Air Division.

23d Tactical Wing

43d Tactical Wing

63d Tactical Wing


USAF use during the Vietnam War

During the Vietnam War, Bien Hoa was a major United States Air Force base. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia The USAF forces stationed there were under the command of the Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). With its close proximity to the international airport at Saigon, Bien Hoa Air Base was the easiest tactical air base to be reached by visiting news reporters, and therefore it received the greatest amount of news and photographic coverage during the war.

It was at Bien Hoa Air Base that the United States Air Force entered the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War, also known as the Second Indochina War, or the Vietnam Conflict, occurred in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia

On 14 April 1961 Tactical Air Command activated the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron (CCTS) at Hurlburt Field, Florida in the panhandle of Florida. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Tactical Air Command (TAC it an inactive United States Air Force organization Hurlburt Field is a US Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther and is part of the Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the The unit had a designated strength of 124 officers and 228 enlisted men. The 4400th CCTS consisted of World War II aircraft: 16 C-47 transports, eight B-26 bombers, and eight T-28 fighters. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The declared mission of the unit would be to train indigenous air forces in counterinsurgency and conduct air operations.

The 4400th CCTS acquired the logistics code name “Jungle Jim,” a moniker that rapidly became the nickname of the unit.

Det. 2A 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron

4400th CCTS North American T-28A-NA Trojan Serial 51-3579 wearing South Vietnamese markings flies over Vietnam
4400th CCTS North American T-28A-NA Trojan Serial 51-3579 wearing South Vietnamese markings flies over Vietnam
USAF Douglas A-26C/B-26B-45-DT Invader Serial 44-35663 on the flightine of Bien Hoa Air Base, 1963. After service in Vietnam, this aircraft was eventually sold to the Nationalist Chinese, then scrapped at Clark Air Base in late 1964.
USAF Douglas A-26C/B-26B-45-DT Invader Serial 44-35663 on the flightine of Bien Hoa Air Base, 1963. Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. After service in Vietnam, this aircraft was eventually sold to the Nationalist Chinese, then scrapped at Clark Air Base in late 1964. Clark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles west of Angeles City, about 40 miles

As the military conditions in South Vietnam continued to deteriorate, United States Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara actively began to consider dispatching military forces to test the utility of counterinsurgency techniques in Southeast Asia. "RVN" redirects here RVN is also the former callsign of a TV station in Wagga Wagga New South Wales Australia The United States Secretary of Defense ( SECDEF) is the head of the U Robert Strange McNamara (born June 9 1916 in Oakland, California) is an American business executive and former United States Secretary of Defense In response, Air Force Chief of Staff General Curtis LeMay pointed out that the 4400th was operationally ready and could serve as an Air Force contingent for that force. The Chief of Staff of the Air Force ( CSAF) is the senior uniformed officer in United States Air Force and is a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Curtis Emerson LeMay (15 November 1906–3 October 1990 was a General in the United States Air Force and the vice presidential running mate of American Independent

On 11 October 1961, [President John F. Kennedy directed, in NSAM 104, that the Defense Secretary “introduce the Air Force ‘Jungle Jim’ Squadron into Vietnam for the initial purpose of training Vietnamese forces. Events 1138 - A massive earthquake struck Aleppo, Syria. 1531 - Huldrych Zwingli is killed Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29 1917&ndashNovember 22 1963 often referred to by his initials JFK, was the thirty-fifth President of ” The 4400th was to proceed as a training mission and not for combat at the present time.

The mission was to be covert. The commandos were to maintain a low profile in-country and avoid the press. The aircraft were configured with VNAF insignia, and all pilots wore plain flight suits minus all insignia and name tags that could identify them as Americans. They also sanitized their wallets and did not carry Geneva Convention cards. The Geneva Conventions consist of four Treaties formulated in Geneva, Switzerland, that set the standards for International law for humanitarian

The unit would be officially titled Det. 2A of the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron, code named “Farm Gate”. In the late 1960's the US armed forces were developing units specifically designed to counter Guerrilla warfare. The unit would administratively and operationally belong to the Air Force section of the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) Vietnam. Military Assistance Advisory Group ( MAAG) is a designation for American Military advisors sent to assist in the training of Conventional armed They would turn out to be the nucleus of an expanding Air Force and American presence in South Vietnam.

Within days of arrival, the T-28s and pilots were ready for orientation flights. The Soviet T-28 was among the world's first Medium tanks The prototype was completed in 1931 and production began in late 1932. The Farm Gate pilots launched with VNAF escorts and delivered their ordnance, but, when mission reports were reviewed, the crews were told not to conduct independent air operations. The cover story was that the Americans were in-country to train South Vietnamese pilots.

On 26 December 1961, Washington issued new regulations directing that all Farm Gate missions would include at least one South Vietnamese national onboard every aircraft. Events 1481 - Battle of Westbrook - Holland defeats troops of Utrecht. Year 1961 ( MCMLXI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. McNamara further amplified this requirement by stating that the Vietnamese would fly in the backseat position.

Americans, with Vietnamese aboard, were soon flying to destroy Viet Cong supply lines and forces. Flying from Bien Hoa and air bases being improved up-country at Da Nang and Pleiku, T-28 and B-26 operations emphasized “training” for reconnaissance, surveillance, interdiction, and close air support missions. For the civil/military use of the facility after April 1975 see Da Nang International Airport Da Nang Air Base (1958-1975 was a Republic For the civil airport use of this facility after 1975 see Pleiku Airport Pleiku Air Base is a former South Vietnamese Air Force and United B26, B-26 or B26 may refer to A-26 Invader, by Douglas Aircraft Company, which carried the designation "B-26" from

The SC-47s began flying airdrop and “psyop” leaflet and loudspeaker broadcast missions to forward bases where the Army’s Special Forces teams were working with the rapidly growing South Vietnamese Civilian Irregular Defense Group

In February 1962, a Farm Gate SC-47 on a leaflet drop mission in the highlands near Bao Loc was shot down, killing the six airmen, two soldiers, and one Vietnamese crewman on board. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout This was the first of several Farm Gate losses.

Enemy attacks were increasing across the countryside, and there were rising calls for air support to embattled ground troops. Forward operating locations were opened at Qui Nhon and Soc Trang. Commanders at 2nd Air Division could see that the South Vietnamese Air Force could not meet all needs, and they increasingly turned to Farm Gate crews to fly the sorties.

Realizing that he needed more assets, the commander of 2nd Air Division, Brig. Gen. Rollen H. Anthis, asked for additional Air Force personnel and aircraft for Farm Gate use. Anthis wanted 10 more B-26s, five more T-28s, and two more SC-47s. McNamara reviewed the request, but he was cool to the idea of expanding Farm Gate units for combat use. His goal was to build up the VNAF so it could operate without American help. Still, McNamara approved the request for additional aircraft and also assigned two U-10s to Farm Gate.

Shortly thereafter, McNamara directed the commanders in Vietnam to develop a national campaign plan to defeat the Viet Cong. The plan, finished in March 1963, called for a much larger VNAF. The South Vietnamese Air Force was to increase its force structure by two fighter squadrons, one reconnaissance squadron, several squadrons of forward air controllers, and several more cargo squadrons.

The war continued to spread as enemy forces grew. By June 1963, the United States Air Force presence in Vietnam had grown to almost 5,000 airmen. As the buildup continued, USAF directed the activation of a new outfit—the 1st Air Commando Squadron at Bien Hoa. The 1st Special Operations Squadron ( 1 SOS) is part of the 353d Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan. To preclude the need for an increase in personnel, it would absorb the Farm Gate men and equipment. The airmen began to prepare for the reorganization. But the missions continued, and on 20 July an SC-47 crew flew an emergency night mission to Loc Ninh and, disregarding enemy fire, strong winds, and blacked-out conditions, landed and rescued six severely wounded South Vietnamese troops. Events 1304 - Wars of Scottish Independence: Fall of Stirling Castle - King Edward I of England takes the last rebel stronghold

Eight days after the Loc Ninh mission, the 1st Air Commando Squadron was activated and Farm Gate was subsumed.

Between October 1961 and July 1963, 16 Farm Gate air commandos were killed. Also lost were one SC-47, four T-28s, one U-10, and four B-26s.

Within a year of its establishment, the 1st Air Commando Squadron had shed its B-26s and SC-47s and grounded some of its T-28s after two more went down due to catastrophic wing failures.

Air Force Special Operations Command today traces much of its lineage to Farm Gate. Air Force Special Operations Command ( AFSOC) was established 22 May, 1990, with headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Florida It is the heritage of the air commandos.

6251st Tactical Fighter Wing

On 8 July 1963 it was redesignated the 34th Tactical Group. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. On 8 July 1965 the 6251st Tactical Fighter Wing was activated. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.

USAF units at Bien Hoa during this period were:

416th and 531st Tactical Fighter Squadrons were deployed from the 39th Air Division at Misawa AB, Japan. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. For the civilian use of this facility see Misawa Airport is a United States military facility located adjacent to the city of Misawa

19th Tactical Air Support Squadron

USAF Cessna O-1 (L-19) "Bird Dog"
USAF Cessna O-1 (L-19) "Bird Dog"

The 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron was organized on 17 June 1963. Events 1462 - Vlad III the Impaler attempts to assassinate Mehmed II ( The Night Attack) forcing him to retreat Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It was initially assigned to the 34th Tactical Group, then on 8 July 1965 to the 6251st Tactical Fighter Wing. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.

On 8 December 1966 the squadron was assigned to the 504th Tactical Air Support Group. Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar.

The initial mission for the 19th TASS was to fly missions for the South Vietnamese Air Force and train Vietnamese pilots and observers in the 0-1 "Bird Dog"aircraft. Bird Dog redirects here For other uses see Bird dog WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. This mission was expanded to include forward air support, combat support liaison, visual reconnaissance, forward air control of fighters, artillery adjustment, and escort for convoys, trains, and helicopters. The squadron also flew psychological warfare, radio relay, and re-supply missions.

Briefly inactivated between Aug and Oct 1964, the 19th TASS renewed its support of combat operations on 21 October. Events 1512 - Martin Luther joins the theological faculty of the University of Wittenberg. Primarily it provided visual and photographic reconnaissance and airborne forward air control for fighter aircraft. Also trained USAF and Vietnamese pilots and observers in 0-1 and, from 1968, in O-2 Skymaster and OV-10 Bronco operations. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout

The unit was inactivated at Bien Hoa on 30 July 1971, being transferred administrativley to Phan Rang Air Base where it was unmanned. Events 1419 - First Defenestration of Prague. 1502 - Christopher Columbus lands at Guanaja in the Bay Islands off Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Phan Rang Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF (Khong Quan Nhan Dan Viet Nam military airfield located in the central coastal area near the city of The squadron was transferred to Osan AB, South Korea, on 15 January 1972. Osan Air Base (K-55, is a United States Air Force facility located 7 South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː Events 588 BC - Nebuchadrezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah 's reign Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

3rd Tactical Fighter Wing

North American F-100D-50-NH Super Sabre 55-2881 of the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron
North American F-100D-50-NH Super Sabre 55-2881 of the 531st Tactical Fighter Squadron

The 3d Tactical Fighter Wing was the host unit at Bien Hoa. It was transferred from England Air Force Base Louisiana on 8 November 1965. For the civil use of this facility after 1992 see Alexandria International Airport England Air Force Base (1942-1992 is a former United States The State of Louisiana ( or, État de Louisiane, pronounced) is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.

Missions of the 3d TFW included close air support, counterinsurgency, forward air control, interdiction, and radar-controlled bombing. Supported numerous ground operations with strike missions against enemy fortifications, supply areas, lines of communication and personnel, in addition to suppressing fire in landing areas. During this time, the 3d TFW also participated in combat evaluation of the F-5 Freedom Fighter and A–37 aircraft. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout For the Soviet light tank see T-37 tank WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft.

The initial units of the 3d TFW were:

Upon arrival at Bien Hoa, they took over the assets of the 416th and 531st Tactical Fighter Squadrons which were deployed TDY from the 39th Air Division, Misawa AB, Japan. Events 1519 - Hernán Cortés enters Tenochtitlán and Aztec ruler Moctezuma welcomes him with great a Celebration Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The 90th Fighter Squadron ( 90 FS) is part of the 3d Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. Events 1429 - English Forces under Sir John Fastolf defend a supply convoy carrying rations to the army besieging Orleans from attack by the Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. In addition to the F-100s from the 39th AD, the 90th TFS was also deployed from Misawa.

The 307th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying F-100Ds was assigned TDY to the 3d from the 6251 Tactical Fighter Wing, Cigli AB, Turkey. The 307th Fighter Squadron ( 307 FS) is part of the Tenth Air Force and stationed at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. It was attached from 24 June to 7 December 1965. Events 972 - Battle of Cedynia, the first documented victory of Polish forces takes place Events 43 BC - Marcus Tullius Cicero assassinated 1696 - Connecticut Route 108, one of the oldest highways Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. The 307th was then assigned to 401st TFW at Torrejon Air Force Base Spain. Madrid-Torrejón Airport is a commercial airport in Spain It is a joint-use facility between the Spanish Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Works Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula.

The 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron, also flying F-100Ds relieved the 307th TFS from Cigli on 2 December 1965. The 308th Fighter Squadron ( 308 FS) is part of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. Events 1409 - The University of Leipzig opens 1755 - The second Eddystone Lighthouse is destroyed by fire On 25 December 1966 the squadron was reassigned to the 31st TFW at Tuy Hoa Air Base South Vietnam. Events 274 - Roman Emperor Aurelian Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. For the civil use of the facility during after 1975 see Đông Tác Airport Tuy Hoa Air Base was built in 1966 and was one of several South Vietnamese "RVN" redirects here RVN is also the former callsign of a TV station in Wagga Wagga New South Wales Australia

In late 1969 the F-100s of the 3d TFW began a phaseout at Bien Hoa. The 510th TFS was deactivated on 15 November 1969, the 531st TFS on 31 July 1970. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 30 BC - Battle of Alexandria: Mark Antony achieves a minor victory over Octavian 's forces but most of his army subsequently Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The 90th TFS was redesignated the 90th Attack Squadron on 15 November 1969 and was re-equipped with A-37Bs and assigned to the 4th Special Operations Wing at Nha Trang Air Base on 31 October 1970. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Nha Trang Air Base (1955-1975 was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force Force (VNAF facility Events 445 BC – Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 91 NLTse Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The 3rd TFW was deactivated at Bien Hoa on 15 March 1971, being ractivated at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea. Events 44 BC - Julius Caesar, Dictator of the Roman Republic, is stabbed to death by Marcus Junius Brutus, Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. Kunsan Air Base, is a United States Air Force base located on the western side of the South Korean peninsula bordered by the Yellow Sea. South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea and often referred to as Korea ( Korean: 대한민국 tɛː

Air commando and special operations squadrons

Cessna A-37A Dragonfly 67-14510 of the 604th Air Commando Squadron - 1968. This aircraft survived the war and was eventually registered as N91RW in 1993. Currently the fuselage is stored at Falcon Field, Mesa, AZ
Cessna A-37A Dragonfly 67-14510 of the 604th Air Commando Squadron - 1968. This aircraft survived the war and was eventually registered as N91RW in 1993. Currently the fuselage is stored at Falcon Field, Mesa, AZ

In addition to the F-100 squadrons, the 3d absorbed the assets of the 1st Air Commando Squadron flying RB-26s and A-1 Skyraiders. The unit was activated at Bien Hoa on 8 July 1963 The 1st ACS was transferred to Pleiku Air Base on 5 January 1966. Events 939 - The Major Occultation or Ghaybat el-Kubra of Muhammad al-Mahdi 1099 - First Crusade: 15000 Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. For the civil airport use of this facility after 1975 see Pleiku Airport Pleiku Air Base is a former South Vietnamese Air Force and United Events 1477 - Battle of Nancy: Charles the Bold is killed and Burgundy becomes part of France. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar.

On 15 November 1967 the unit was replaced by the 604th Air Commando Squadron flying the A-37A/B "Dragonfly" (Tail Code CK). Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar. The 604th deployed from England AFB. The squadron was tasked to test the A-37 in combat over three months. The squadron flew combat sorties in support of ground troops and against enemy supplies being shipped into South Vietnam.

The test proved to be a huge success. The pilots were pleased with the planes' maneuverability. It accelerated and decelerated rapidly and its combat delivery system was highly accurate. The maintainers also heaped their praise on the aircraft. It was easy to fix. Turn around times often averaged just over 90 minutes between missions. Although the Air Force sought to purchase more A-37s than originally planned, the plane was subsonic and didn't fit into Tactical Air Command's long-range plans to develop an attack aircraft capable of meeting contingencies throughout potential world combat theaters. This wasn't the first time special operators were flying "low and slow", so to speak.

On 15 November 1969 the A-37s of 604th was joined by the 8th Attack Squadron (Tail Code: CF), the 310th Attack Squadron and the 311th Attack Squadron. Events 655 - Battle of Winwaed: Penda of Mercia is defeated by Oswiu of Northumbria. Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The 310th and 311th AS were later deployed to other bases in Vietnam as part of the 315th Special Operations Wing. The 604th ACS was later renamed the 604th Special Operations Squadron. Both squadrons continued to fly out of Bien Hoa until 30 September 1970 when they were transferred to Phan Rang Air Base. Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the Year 1970 ( MCMLXX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link shows full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Phan Rang Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF (Khong Quan Nhan Dan Viet Nam military airfield located in the central coastal area near the city of

Skoshi Tiger

F-5B of the 602th Fighter Squadron - 1966
F-5B of the 602th Fighter Squadron - 1966

The Skoshi Tiger program was a combat evaluation of the Northrop F-5 "Freedom Fighter" in South Vietnam. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Although all F-5A production was intended for Military Assistance Programs, the Air Force actually requested at least 200 F-5s for use in Vietnam. This sudden request on the part of the USAF was a result of heavier than expected attrition in Southeast Asia and because the F-5 promised to be available with a relatively short lead time.

In October 1965, the USAF "borrowed" 12 combat-ready F-5As and turned them over to the 4503rd Tactical Fighter Wing at Williams Air Force Base Arizona for operational service trials. Williams Air Force Base is a former United States Air Force (USAF base located in Mesa, and about 30 miles southeast of Phoenix, Arizona. The State of Arizona ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. The aircraft left Williams AFB on 20 October 1965 for Bien Hoa. Events 1740 - Maria Theresa takes the throne of Austria. France, Prussia, Bavaria and Saxony

At Bien Hoa, the F-5s were attached to the 3d TFW as the 602th Fighter Squadron on 21 November 1965. Events 164 BC - Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restores the Temple in Jerusalem. Year 1965 ( MCMLXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1965 Gregorian calendar.

The F-5 missions were exclusively over the South, and they never crossed the North Vietnamese border because their arrival coincided with a lull in the offensive against the North. The aircraft never encountered enemy MiGs, and so never got a chance to demonstrate their air-to-air capabilities.

Although the Freedom Fighter was judged to be a technical success in Vietnam, the Skoshi Tiger program was essentially a political project, designed to appease those few Air Force officers who believed in the aircraft. The Freedom Fighter was destined to have a relatively brief operational career with the USAF, and the DoD turned down a second request for F-5s, deciding instead to look at other types such as the A-7 Corsair II.

On 8 March 1966 the F-5s of the 602d FS were redesignated the 10th Fighter Commando Squadron. Events 1618 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion. Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. On 17 April 1967 the F-5s were turned over to the South Vietnamese Air Force. Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. Year 1967 ( MCMLXVII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the 1967 Gregorian calendar.

Det 1. 377th Air Base Wing

An operating location of the 377th Air Base Wing was established at Bien Hoa Air Base on 14 April 1972 to provide turnaround service for F-4s of other organizations. The 377th Air Base Wing ( 377 ABW) is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It was replaced on 20 June 1972 by Detachment l of the wing headquarters, which continued the F-4 turn-around service and added A-7D turnaround service on 30 October 1972. Events 451 - Battle of Chalons: Flavius Aetius ' defeats Attila the Hun. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout Events 637 - Antioch surrenders to the Muslim forces under Rashidun Caliphate after the Battle of Iron bridge. Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A small detachment of personnel from the 354th Tactical Figher Wing deployed at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Thailand were assigned for A-7D servicing. For the civilian use of the facility after March 1993 see Myrtle Beach International Airport Myrtle Beach Air Force Base' was a United States Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (Korat RTAFB is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force. The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj

The detachment continued operations through 11 February 1973. Events 660 BC - Traditional founding date of Japan by Emperor Jimmu. Year 1973 ( MCMLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the 1973 Gregorian calendar.

Emblems Of USAF Units At Bien Hoa Air Base

19th Tactical Air Support Squadron
1963-1971

3d Tactical Fighter Wing
1965-1971

Det. 1, 377th Air Base Wing
1972-1973

Pacific Air Forces
1961-1973

Military Assistance Advisory Group - Vietnam
1961-1962

2d Air Division
1962-1966

7th Air Force
1966-1973

Capture Of Bien Hoa Air Base

North Vietnam had suffered about 50,000 casualties during the 1968 Tet Offensive and was similarly mauled in its spring 1972 offensive against the South. The Tet Offensive was a military campaign conducted between 30 January and 23 September 1968, by forces of the Vietcong, or National Front for Year 1972 ( MCMLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The People's Army of Vietnam needed time to recuperate.

March 1975 saw Hanoi make its next seriously aggressive move. Hanoi ( Vietnamese: Hà Nội Hán Tự: 河[[wikt 内|内]], estimated population 3398889 (2007, is the Capital of Vietnam In the preceding two years, North Vietnam's army patiently moved into the South enormous quantities of Soviet artillery, surface-to-air missiles, and armored vehicles, along with 100,000 fresh troops.

On 10 March the North Vietnamese Army began a new offensive in South Vietnam. Events 241 BC - First Punic War: Battle of the Aegates Islands - The Romans sink the Carthaginian fleet bringing "RVN" redirects here RVN is also the former callsign of a TV station in Wagga Wagga New South Wales Australia Northern forces isolated the provincial capitol of Ban Me Thuot by cutting off or blocking the main highways to it. It was at Ban Me Thuot that there first occurred a phenomenon that would increasingly undermine the South's morale. Many of its army officers used helicopters to pick up their families and flee to the south with them.

South Vietnamese civilians then began to flee the countryside, crowding the main roads and the pathways in a mass exodus for the coast, where they ultimately jammed seaports seeking transport to the south. The refugees included not only those civilians who had helped the South's army or the Americans, but also a great mass who expected bad treatment from the communists.

By early April the end of South Vietnam was at hand. North Vietnam's forces had severed the roads around Saigon and had begun shelling Bien Hoa. A battle began on 9 April at Xuan Loc, located on National Route 1 only 37 miles northeast of Saigon. Events 193 - Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans) During this battle, the last remnants of South Vietnam's air force carried out its last effective operation from Bien Hoa Airfield.

Xuan Loc fell on 23 April, and there was now little to prevent or slow the Communist advance on Saigon. Events 215 BC - A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at The loss of Xuan Loc made Bien Hoa Air base indefensible, although the VNAF continued to fly from the base until enemy artillery fire forced the evacuation of Bien Hoa on 25 April. History The VNAF (abbreviation for V iet N am A ir F orce Vietnamese is "Không Quân Việt Nam" started off as a few hand Events 1607 - Eighty Years' War: The Dutch fleet destroys the anchored Spanish fleet at Gibraltar.

See also

References

External links


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