22. Dates of service: (actual or approximate) Evidently you do not realise that the Australian Canberra Bombers were stationed at the Phan Rang Air Base, during the Vietnam War, RAAF 2 Sqn had several thousand serviceman during that war and my Husband was one of them, he served 1970-71. Only the DNA Has turned a pebble not a stone. I have a lot of pictures. WebPhan Rang AB News No. [20] Two crew members were killed, two squadron members died of disease, and three from accidents during the war,[15] and two Canberras were shot down in 1970 and 1971. WebThe 366th arrived at Phan Rang Air Base in March 1966. Steel and sand revetments also remain on the ramp. A bit of Aussie stuff from Wikipedia related to 2 Sqn RAAF and Phan Rang interesting that they tracked down and returned the remains of the MIAs in 2009: In 1953, the squadron was re-equipped with GAF Canberras, which it later operated from RAAF Butterworth during the Malayan Emergency, after deploying there in 1958 to relieve the Lincoln-equipped No. Any base names (or state) that he may have been trained or stationed: Charles Covington (Marines) and James Covington (Navy). The squadron returned to Australia in 1971, having been deployed overseas for a total of 13 years.[13]. 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. I was stationed at Phan Rang AB Oct 67 to Oct 68. Your main picture of the Phan Rang flightline is reversed. I was stationed @ Phan Rang Sept.69 to Sept. 70 in the Propeller shop.Any else here ? Rocket and Mortar Attacks The [8], The RAAF Canberras continued operations from Phan Rang AB until they were withdrawn in June 1971. newsletters, photo collections, and remembrance lists for Phan Rang Air Base newsletters that have been collected and shared to a Facebook page dedicated to It was seized by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) in April 1975 and has been in use by the VPAF ever since. What a great touch to a horrible time!!!!! Mary, the incidents that you are talking about are covered in great detail in Phan Rang Newsletter 147 in Magpies Down-Magpie 91 and Magpie 41. Ron Logan, A1C James Dean, Sgt. Just give the We let the dogs lay at rest, with no objections; we held our spot at the triangle in the road, where it all began, and did more sweeps as needed. A lot of memories from 52 years ago. Im not sure where in Vietnam he was station. We stay in contact with each other constantly. Phan Rang AB was particularly vulnerable to off base interdiction because the base water supply and jet fuel was piped in. Phan Rang Air Base 10 am to 5 pm daily (except Christmas Day). We also suffered many of the jungle dieseases which resulted in multiply good soldiers being sent home. [1]:64, In late-August 1965 the newly arrived US Army 62nd Engineer Battalion (Construction) was ordered to build a jet-capable airfield at Phan Rang. I also flew on a few Huey rides, one to Na Trang and one to an Army site and rode shotgun on resupply runs to Da Nang. Finally on October 15,1965, we received the construction plans for the base. [2]:452, On 3 May 1970 VC sappers attacked the base but were repulsed with minor damage and no Allied casualties. Old Dawgs Supporting Young Pups, Bulletin Boards: I would like to say Thank you to you and your families for all you did during this and every war America has been in. I was one of the last GIs out29 Mar 1973. Phan Rang Air Base Maint, taking over from Ssgt Harry Helton. [14][15], Based at Phan Rang Air Base in Ninh Thuan province, the unit became part of the United States Air Force 35th Tactical Fighter Wing (35 TFW) and between April 1967 and June 1971,[16] the Canberras flew approximately 12,000 sorties. We have a lot of people from various squadrons that are actively participating on FB. We had no defined post that we were accustomed to; sweeps were different. It is obvious that the attackers had little notion of the fire power of the security guards and that they did not know that sentry dogs are used primarily for detection. The following sound clips were recorded one evening by the webmaster. The 31st Rangers deployed to Du Long to replace the 11th Airborne Battalion on the evening of 13 April. It seemed like a good time to get a rare night's sleep. Squadrons assigned were: Flying from Phan Rang sorties were flown over target areas consisting of the Mekong Delta and the Ho Chi Minh Trail. He did remember that the training covered listening for sounds and then trying to locate their source. I was assigned to the 4th Special Operations Squadron that had AC-47D Spooky gunships at various bases, including Nha Trang and later Phan Rang. [2]:59 While the 62nd Engineers constructed the temporary runway, American construction consortium RMK-BRJ was working on a permanent 10,000-foot (3,000m) concrete runway, taxiways and parking areas. [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 (19km) of Phan Rang AB. We were also not supplies with jungle clothing , ammo and proper medical supplies. Thank you for gathering and preserving these records and stories. Nemo's The aerial gunships destroyed trucks, attacked enemy encampments, ammunition dumps and other ground targets using night vision equipment. But the one thing that really stands outas the POWs got off the planes the airline stewardess were in line to watch them come off. Small arms fire and explosions were coming from every where and it was mass confusion. Commencing construction in September the Army Engineers built a 10,000-foot (3,000m) AM-2 aluminum matting runway and open aircraft revetments. [2]:1367 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 (1,800m). My dad was there just after you, in the Red Horse 12/69-12-70. The RAAF had 2 Canberras shot down, the C.O.Downing and his navigator Pincers who were winched out by chopper safe after they ejected. I was in Phase inspection in the 614th squadron. Based Phan Rang AFB April 68 69 with Colorado ANG, 120TFS, and assigned to 35FMS Jet Engine shop. I was the Public Affairs Officer for the 35th TFW, the host unit for Phan Rang AB from March 1958 until mid-October 1968 when I was transferred to Cam Ranh Bay AB from mid-October 1969 until early March 1969 when I was ordered to SAFOI in the Pentagon. The base was progressively handed over to the RVNAF in MarchMay 1972. Any base names (or state) that he may have been trained or stationed: Vietnam I entered the USAF Reserves and eventually was promoted to Lt Col and retired in 1992, after suffering a ruptured brain aneurysm. I made a lot of friends during that time. During the second week of January '69, the 16th company requested ammunition from District HQ. Didnt have to suffer much with the heat. Michael Corbin and James (Jimmy) Corbin. This article incorporates public domain material from the .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#3a3;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}Air Force Historical Research Agency. We are at a loss of how to find more info. squeak and thud of incoming mortars; the usual "MO" for an attack at PR. All crew members survived. For My brother Kenneth Snake, and two cousins: Archie and Lewis George Snake all served in Vietnam. Does anyone have any information on a Joseph Burton or a Charles Edward Drumm?? Pictures of mortar attack with A Shadow gunship of the 71st SOS was taking off near midnight when the base began receiving incoming mortar rounds. [2]:137[1]:1545 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. Schiffer Military Aviation History. The RVNAF even cut off the electricity to the ARVN hospital at Nha Trang becasue they said they couldnt spare the electricity. Fowler was our NCOIC. My husband was there at the very end. Last name Brewster from Ohio. The covered revetments were on the north and the open revetments were on the south. Airfield defence guards of the Australian Quick Reaction Team (QRT) respond to a night incident Asia: Vietnam, Ninh Thuan Province, Phan Rang, Official United States Air Force Photographer. Are there any Facebook groups on Marble Mountain. https://vvabooks.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/the-grotto-by-harold-g-walker/ Upon returning from my second mission our squadron commander called me in asking What if youre shot down during a mission? [22]:3712, 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. We could be more helpful to your search if you could provide us more information. War of 1812 Pension Files Digitization Moves Forward! 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. Reinforcements from the 52nd Rangers were sent to support the 31st Rangers, but they were unable to break through and at 16:00 the 31st Rangers were ordered to withdraw with only 80 Rangers successfully returning to Phan Rang AB. died there on the day he was turning his outside plant tool kit. he came hone, and finally retired after 28 years, in 1979. Wow. It is located in the Ninh Thuan Province of Vietnam. He was there during the Tet offensive. I am also looking for any pictures or information about Michael Corbin and James (Jimmy) Corbin. (even the guys!!!) [15] Branch of service: I remember witnessing her. WebA Douglas AC-47D Spooky plane, serial 43-49499, was damaged beyond repair in a criminal occurrence at Phan Rang Air Base (PHA), Vietnam. Thank you in advance . Looking for any one who knew Glenn Orn Fisher Jr who was in the Air Force from 1956-1970. And everyone at work!!! The base was hit more than 25 times during my tour of duty, but that was by far the worst. SSgt George Rostron. The style is literary nonfiction. Bases in SEA & Topics of Any number of clues that you may have may trigger a better question or answer. Originally built by the Imperial Japanese Army during WWII, it was rebuilt by the United States Air Force and used during the Vietnam War by both the USAF and the South Vietnamese Air Force. ; mortar, rocket and probes until about November 1968. Captain America (Duke) and myself deployed to the "Juliet Area". 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. In the meantime other K-9 teams consisting of Sgt. Sgt. Phan Rang Public entrance via Fairbairn Avenue, Campbell ACT 2612, Book your ticket to visit: awm.gov.au/visit, Copyright and Good luck! Why dont you try looking there. I was sent to Tan Son Nhut Air Base to work on RF-4C and RB-57s. [13]:1101, 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. I was at 3rd Field 1967-68. Williamson). We saw some pretty sad sights at that hospital! I worked on the FLIR, NOS and Fire Control. The Airborne attempted a counterattack against the 25th Regiment, but were forced back and then squeezed between the PAVN and by 09:30 the PAVN had captured the base. WebSapper attack on 12 Jan 1972 resulting in the explosion of the ammo dump at Bin Ha Air Base. Martin, Patrick (1994). Anything on him? WebTwo Super Sabres, including one from the Colorado ANG squadron, were destroyed during an attack by the NVAs H-13 Sapper Company on the night of the 25/26th at Phan Rang. Let me put in a plug for a book, The Grotto, about life flying helicopters out of Phu Bai. Preparations included reconnaissance of the base, training personnel in penetration tactics and methods of night observation, and the acquisition of weapons and supplies. Although he (captured NVA) did not take part in recon missions he reported that his company commander directed four missions prior to the attack, one in June '68, one in November '68, and two in January '69. Logan and Dean used suppression fire to give them a chance to escape. I was the voice on the radio as Zorro Control from 1700hrs to 0600hrs. The 16th Company began preparing for the attack on Phan Rang AB in June 1968. In addition, the United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps had aviation and other support units stationed at Phan Rang. Dates of service: (actual or approximate) in the mean time, we cleared the area and started support facilities and our base camp. Linda. Gallery Photos #2, Photos # 3 The source believed that the attack failed because the 16th Company did not have enough information concerning dogs, guards, and mines. Two men were sent ahead to reconnoiter the fence. WelcomeHome. Initially built by the Imperial Japanese Army about 1942, the airfield was also used by the French Air Force (French: Arme de l'Air) during the First Indochina War then abandoned in 1954. 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. The aerial gunships destroyed trucks, attacked enemy encampments, ammunition dumps and other Thank all of you!!! Happy Valley was not always happy, but a much better place to be than many others in Vietnam. Airman First Class Larry Sutherland joined the Airforce at 17, and signed up for the Security Police training program. 0: 1/8/2015: Revisit: 0: 1/8/2015: Did the base come under attack by the enemy between 1966 and1969? [1]:113[4]. I dont know much about what he did because he did not talk about it very much only to say he was on the medical helicopters bring wounded in for medical care. My husband was Sgt. My father was in Saigon with the airforce ground forces in Saigon during the tet offensive. Loranda O. Spence, Red Horse. Thank You. First 7 months I ran our 12 bed ward and the last 5 months I worked in the ER. Sure would like to hear from some of our 1883rd Comm Sqdn Vets who may have been stationed at Phan Rang AB January 1996-97. Attack He was at Pearl Harbor, Saipan, Tinian, and Okinawa. My sons father is a Brewster but to young to been in Vietnam. My brother Tom Corbin. Is he a relative? Garth Wright (Assistant OPS ) was already on the scene and realized that penetration through the stone bridge that passed over the drainage ditch in the "Juliet Area" coincided with a dirt road intersection that formed a triangle, and lead directly to the C-123 area. WebPHAN RANG Air Base TET Jan 29, 1969 35th Security Police Squadron 1968-1969 2012, by Dana Anthony Phan Rang AB: Tet Attack, Jan 29, 1969, 0015 hours Sapper and Stand Off attack: 74 Rockets and Mortars; US KIA, 0; US WIA, 15; US Destroyed Aircraft, 2; Damaged Aircraft, 11; RVN KIA/WIA/Aircraft Destroyed-Damaged, 0; VC/NVA KIA, 16; You can also find stories of how base medical personnel treated local villagers, and how Christmas was celebrated on the base. In the meantime, we lost track of Caputo ("Cap") and Fritzie. Phan Rang AB was located 3 miles inland from the South China Sea and 35 miles south of Cam Ranh Bay. Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) or basic description (truck driver, mechanic, pilot etc) Spent 2 weeks at Phan Rang getting processed in before going to our OLAA at Da Nang, AB and another 2 weeks processing out. WebBien Hoa Air Base ( Vietnamese: Sn bay Bin Ha) is a Vietnam People's Air Force ( VPAF) military airfield located in South-Central southern Vietnam about 25 km (16 mi) from Ho Chi Minh City, across the Dong Nai river in the northern ward of Tn Phong, and within the city of Bin Ha within ng Nai Province. As the four of us penetrated the canal in hopes of flushing out the NVA, I worked on the flightline supervising local Vietnamese employees that maned the Wash Rack. The airfield at Phan Rang was used by the Japanese during World War II. K-9 Gunner), Tom Caputo (with K-9 Fritztie), and a guy named Mollica, a.k.a. Besides reuniting with old friends and making new ones, our goal is to preserve the stories of our Phan Rang brothers. I was in the 35th SPS from I was there for most of 1967. He was wounded himself and lost consciousness.". First Published in Viet Dog Handlers Association WebAny one stationed in Phan Rang from May 71 to Feb 72? This photo was taken in May 1969 during a VIP visit to Phan Rang AB, RVN by M/Gen. Frank Niehus, Served as one of the Crew Chiefs of the Water Plant with the 35th CES, 68-69. They took extremely heavy fire and were forced to seek cover. I was at Phan Rang in 1966 1967. Three buildings and two hangers received minor damage. (USAF photo, via B.E.S. Two F-100s were destroyed and numerous other aircraft were out of commission. They Replied theres the tools and materials, go to it! Walt, your father or even you should consider joining our Phan Rang AB FB group and he might even be able to reconnect with some old friends and we also have an annual reunion. Would be interesting to know if this was one of those locations. Except for us dog handlers. The top photo is reversed. I know he was in Viet Nam in 1962-1963, 66-67, and 68-69. my husband Ranolf Feamster served on monkey mountain as an air traffic controller. [22]:422 At 08:45 a battalion-sized PAVN mechanized force attacked along Route 11 towards the base. [22]:4201 The PAVN 3rd Division then attacked the Airborne troops on Ca Dau Mountain and allowed the 101st Regiment to resume its advance. Cam Ranh Base I was a Medic at the 35th USAF Dispensary. 2 Squadron RAAF Boeing 737 AEW&C aircraft during a deployment to the Middle East in 2017 Two SPs were pinned down near the APC by B-40s and grenades and the SP in the J-3 tower was trapped. [12]:253. During the emergency, the squadron undertook airstrikes against communist forces and after the conflict ended, it remained in Malaysia throughout the early 1960s during Confrontation, before despatching eight Canberras to South Vietnam in April 1967 as part of Australias commitment to the Vietnam War. It also trained RVNAF personnel in AC-119 operations and maintenance, from February to June 1971. Charles L. Hall. Was My dad there S/sgt Billie Leroy Roth lost June 27 1965. Permalink, Amything on LARRY LANHART? 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 Thit to replace the Airborne. I published an article in THE MILITARY ENGINEER magazine November- December 1966 Vol. I only have a couple of pictures from that time. https://vvabooks.wordpress.com/2019/05/01/the-grotto-by-harold-g-walker/, https://www.facebook.com/groups/1894942467450627, This Unique Civil War Veteran Served Three Different Nations. All of a sudden a woman started screaming, and running toward the plane, they were unable to stop her!! B-57 units assigned to the 35th TFWA at Phan Rang were as follows: 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. [22]:3846, On 2 April the 2nd Air Division commander BG Nguyn Vn Lng 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. Thomas E. Marchbanks, Jr., Chief Air Force Reserve, Hq. VSPA Thank you for your service! I was stationed at Clark AB for 2 years and was there at the end of the conflict (we called it a WAR) and as a switchboard operator had the priviledge of helping the POWs call home!!! The boy was born in Vietnam and came to the states. All rights reserved. # 2, Kennels #3 Near the entrance to the base are ruins of a Cham temple, reportedly built in the 12th Century. An inventive mechanic spotted an unused Air Force generator down the line and confiscated it, painting it Army OD green. Was a clerk in Enarie, at 4IFD HQ Casualties 5/69-~9/69, then 29 MH as combat artist to 4/70. [19], 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.