camp friendship, thailand

On 29 September 1972, the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Myrtle Beach AFB South Carolina, deployed 72 A-7D Corsair II of the 353rd,[23] 354th,[24] 355th[25] and the 356th Tactical Fighter Squadrons to Korat for a 179-day TDY. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links. All rights reserved. Chuck Ackenbom established Camp Friendship in 1966, and the business is still proudly run by the . Good luck with your pursuit for the gov. Singaporean forces fly F-5Es, F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, KC-130B Hercules, E-2C Hawkeye, CH-47SD Chinooks and AS-532UL Cougars. The Wild Weasels would remain at Korat along with the F-4s in their specialized mission. 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. The wing had responsibility for all air force units in Thailand until permanent wings were established at other bases.[3]. [30], On 3 January 1967, Company C returned to Phanom Sarakam to begin work on the "inland road", a 122-kilometer, all-weather highway which would connect the Port of Sattahip with the Bangkok bypass road. Ammunition Depot which was a few miles from the base, it also was sprayed 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. Thats the attitude of many veterans trying to get into, Read More Voc Rehab Workarounds for Veterans with DegreesContinue. - U.S. Army (Retired), A New Zealand RAF Bristol transport. CHECO is short for Contemporary Historical Examination of Current Operations. Again, this report was written on February 18, 1973. Thai air police controlled access to the bases, along with USAF Security Police, who assisted them in base defense using sentry dogs, observation towers, and machine gun bunkers. [4]:154. The mission of the 501 st Field Depot was assigned to Camp Friendship in Korat to assume the supply mission for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia . US Embassy Attache Office These missions were flown as a deterrent to North Vietnam as a signal that if the Paris Peace Accords were broken, the United States would use its air power to enforce its provisions. He recently received the benefits he so deserved, after fighting the VA for 6 years. Dew to extreme back-log of DRO appeals completion dates can not be given out. He is also featured regularly in national publications as an authority on Department of Veterans Affairs policy such as Bloomberg News, Foreign Policy Magazine, Washington Times, Fox News, CBS, NBC, Star Tribune and more. 7th Airlift Platoon7th MAINT Battalion, Direct The origins of Korat Air Base dates back to the Japanese Occupation of Thailand during World War II. CAVC agrees with CCK's arguments based on herbicide exposure in Thailand. The 354th TFW Forward Echelon at Korat also became a composite wing. January 1970. vehicle, power unit or other mobile piece of equipment on base had a large blue 4 Photo Credits: MSG Otto Uebel, 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, Thailand (1963) Sign with the 9th Logistics Command Logo, Camp Friendship was next to the RTAF AB. 103 Squadron flies eight F-16A and four F-16B acquired under the code name "Peace Naresuan I", five F-16A (of six delivered) under the code name "Peace Naresuan XI", and three F-16A and four F-16Bs acquired from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and delivered in late 2004. The Department of Veterans Affairs concluded that only veterans that were by base perimeters should receive acknowledgment of Agent Orange exposure. Maintenance of the facilities at other bases abandoned by the United States (Ubon, Udorn) proved too costly and exceeded Thai needs and were turned over to the Department of Civil Aviation for civil use. I have provided letters to this affect to several former buddies who have been approved for exposure to Agent Orange. Thank you for what you are doing, I will be reading everything I can get my hands on. His name was John Madden. A-7 and F-4s from Korat flew strike missions sometimes less than 16km (10mi) from Phnom Penh that morning before the cutoff. By 1967, Korat RTAFB was home to as many as 34 operating units and about 6,500 USAF airmen. Combat reconnaissance missions of the 552d resumed on 25 November 1967. Once completed, army forces moved into Camp Friendship, turning the facilities north of the Korat RTAFB runway over to the Thai armed forces. [3][7], On 14 August 2 HH-43Bs were deployed to Korat to provide base search and rescue. By mid-October, 1,574 airmen from Myrtle Beach had arrived as part of "Constant Guard IV". detailed annotations, Map of the Southwest section of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 5 - B-52 Ramp, NE Quadrant U-Tapao RTAFB with Long Lines Battalion Download Images of Camp friendship - Free for commercial use, no attribution required. U.S. Army Veteranswho provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. of Veterans Affairs' feet to the fire. These airmen rotated on 179-day assignments (the limit for TDY assignments) to Korat from these continental United States bases until early 1974. With the end of active combat in Indochina on 15 August 1973, the USAF began drawing down its Thailand-based units and closing its bases. The 554th RS transferred to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB to operate QU-22 Baby Bats, while the 553rd RS remained at Korat with 11 Batcats until December 1971, when it returned to Otis AFB, Massachusetts. 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. Go to https://www.militaryvideo.com/ to purchase the. I have an appeal for denial of service connection for PD and am using the written report Project CHECO as support in my claim. Please help. Day 6 - Transfer to Phi Phi Island! We tore down the jungle to build the base, the perimeter and everything else. area near the Weapons Storage and Maintenance Area at Ubon RTAFB, Map of the [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. The USAF officially turned Korat over to the Thai Government on 26 February 1976. Also included is the narrated film \"There Is a Way\" focusing on F-105 pilots of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing and their missions over North Vietnam. 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. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. 1966-71 256th AG Company Personnel 1967-71 1 remained at Korat until June 1970, when it left Thailand. Good work covering up DoD. The Japanese Army established facilities on the land later used to build Korat Air Base, and a small support airfield was established there for logistics support of the facility and for the Japanese occupation forces in the area. * Memories of Camp Friendship * Comm Long Lines Battalion Office Thai workers: Dang, Panee & Boontharik Click on the Guestbook Below to Add Your Name DCA DCSSPO HHC 9th Logistics HHC USARSUPTHAI From DoD: CHECO Report. The accords effectively ended United States military operations in North and South Vietnam. Office of Accountability & Whistleblower Protection, Training - Exposure - Experience (TEE) Tournament, Military Exposure Related Health Concerns, War Related Illness & Injury Study Center, Clinical Trainees (Academic Affiliations), benefits related to Agent Orange exposure, Call TTY if you Camp Friendship Korat, Thailand 1968-1969 Show more . [3][16], Also on 15 May, an F-4C Phantom II squadron, the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron[17] and an F-105F squadron, the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron[18] were deployed and permanently attached to the 388th from the 347th TFW, Yokota AB, Japan and Kadena AB, Okinawa. During the Vietnam War, from 1962 to 1975, Korat RTAFB was a front-line facility of the United States Air Force (USAF) in Thailand. Since the 1980s United States Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet fighters have used Korat as a base during Cobra Gold exercises. For their performance in the construction of this road (now Route 303), the 809th Engineer Battalion (Construction) and the 561st Engineer Company (Construction) were awarded Meritorious Unit Commendations. Check out this awesome 'USARSUPTHAI+w+VN+Svc+Ribbons' design on @TeePublic! On 15 May 1966 the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron was permanently attached to the 388th. A detachment of 1 UH-1H Iroquois helicopters from 203 Squadron, Wing 2 is also based at Korat. USARSUPTHAI On 25 April 1966 the United States Army Support Command, Thailand was activated on Okinawa and elements began deploying to Thailand on 17 October with the rear detachment closing on Camp Friendship on 15 November 1966. FYI, here's a photo I took early 1964 before the USAF showed up to fill in the gap between Camp Friendship and the airbase. [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. Cantonment area at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Nakhon Phanom - A Security Police Sentry Dog Handlers Perspective, Map of The USAF would be able to airlift the division into Korat where they could pick up their equipment and move into battle. The VA omitted pages from its version and did a poor job of scanning it. Note the color of the barrels - Orange. I have just recently become aware of the exposure to agent orange during my tour of duty there 73-74 and have also filed a claim for compensation. The EB-66C/E flew radar and communications jamming missions to disrupt enemy defenses and early warning capabilities. 93rd Pysyc Oper Co128th Medical Battalion Ft Hood had made the 4 day flight (with one The Paris Peace Accords were signed on 27 January 1973 by the governments of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States with the intent to establish peace in Vietnam. With the GAO report, DoD compelled to come up with a more comprehensive list, not go back and revise what they already confirmed.. The mission of the USAF at Korat was to conduct operations in support of US commitments in Southeast Asia: North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. 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. Skip to content. 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. The base that you are looking for could have been u-tapao Airfield Thailand. On 23 December 1975, the 388th TFW and its remaining squadron, the 34th TFS, transferred to Hill AFB, Utah. VA depends on DOD to provide information regarding in-service environmental exposure for disability claims based on exposure to herbicides outside of Vietnam, Wilkie said in a statement. At Korat, two A-7D pilots from the 354th TFW returned from flying the last USAF combat mission over Cambodia. - starhq Resources and Information. I was stationed at Nam Phone the rose garden. 4 Photo Credits: MSG Otto Uebel, . The 44th remained a "paper organization" until 23 April 1967, when it returned to Korat, absorbing the personnel, equipment and resources of the 421st TFS. [4]:70, In December 1964, the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Korat from Kadena AB, Okinawa. [19]:85, The high attrition rate of F-105Ds in Southeast Asian operations soon became a problem. With their return, the 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron was formed. Today, Camp Friendship is a Royal Thai Army artillery base. Munitions Storage area at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Weapon I could see the farmers looking up and the If not get one. In case VA ever decides to remove the page, I made a PDF copy of it here, as well: VA Public Health Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure. Was there a base close to the ocean? 2023 Dates & Rates; I need to contact and receive a buddy statement from any army member that was stationed on Camp Friend Ship Thailand 1967 with the signal Bn that had to work and walk perimeter guard. It returned in November 1971, now known as Disco, after North Vietnamese MiGs threatened B-52s and other aircraft operating in southern Laos. the Air Force Map Korat RTAFB above, Official Department of the Air Force Map The final day marked the conclusion of an intense 160-day campaign, during which the USAF expended 240,000 tons of bombs. The 552nd AEW&C returned to McClellan AFB California in June 1974, ending the, On 15 November 1974, the F-105F/G's of the 17th WWS were withdrawn and transferred to the 562d TFS/35 TFW at, The 16th Special Operations Squadron transferred to Hurlburt Field, Florida on 12 December 1975, The 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron was transferred to Clark AB, Philippines on 15 December, Det. DOD will continue to be responsive to the needs of our interagency partners in all matters related to taking care of both current and former service members. [3], The 6234th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) was activated in April 1965 as part of the 2d AD with Colonel William D. Ritchie, Jr. as commander. [30], Its mission was to build roads and a support (logistics) network in support of US Army and USAF operations in Thailand by executing the troop construction portion of the military construction program, performing engineer reconnaissance, and accomplishing civil action projects as resources permitted. But it deletes or alters at least 50 previously identified locations, removing some dates and omitting testing sites like Hawaii, where the DoD previously said field tests were conducted, Puerto Rico, where herbicides were sprayed in forests between 1956 and 1967, and locations in Korea where components were stored. VA presumes (assumes) exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans who served on any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailandfrom January 9, 1962, throughJune 30, 1976. Cant remember the number of times, sprayed, even down wind, inside the base 1000 yards. I was ther from 71-72, first in Korat Camp Friendship, 30 days later at Camp Samae San with Signal Unit. By the late 1980s, Korat, Takhli, and Don Muang RTAFB outside Bangkok, which was shared with civil aviation, were the primary operational holdings of the RTAF. In 1985 the United States Congress authorized the sale of the F-16 fighter to Thailand. [2], The United States Army Corps of Engineers were deployed and established a headquarters at the RTAF airfield that later became Korat RTAFB. The EF-4C was the initial Wild Weasel version of the Phantom. Day 2 - Bangkok City Tour & Phuket Transfer. After my initial Basic Training at Ft. Eustis, in Virginia, I arrived in Thailand sometime in the early days of December of '67. I was in the USB Seabees mcb-5 may 1972 we built the rose garden for the Marines. Information within those records was assessed against stringent joint VA-DOD criteria for what constitutes a location where tactical herbicides were tested, used and stored, Prichard said. [5]:196, In September 1970, the 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, which flew EB-66s, transferred to Korat from Takhli. The report is 90 page evaluation of the use of herbicides in Thailand. - U.S. Army (Retired), U.S. Army General Lincoln making a presentation to the King The following Veterans may have been exposed to herbicides: U.S. Air Force Veteranswho served on Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) bases at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Phanom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. VA says the following military personnel are now included in the list of those possibly exposed to the toxins: Vietnam-era Veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits. (DS) 1964-65 593rd EN Company, Construction 6/1963-8/1963 597th MAINT Company, Direct Support 1966-69 697th EN Having difficult time finding anything about USMACTHAI/JUSMAGTHAI and agent orange exposure. detailed annotations, Map 7 - the Demolitioin area 313th Transportation Company TC In the suppression role, AGM-45 Shrike missiles were employed to destroy, or at least harass, the SA-2 and/or fire control radar which guided the SA-2 missiles. the location of Udorn RTAFB, Map of B-52 Ramp, NE Quadrant U-Tapao RTAFB with With the closure of Takhli RTAFB the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing and 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron each equipped with the F-111 were moved to Korat on 12 July 1974. 513th MP Det519th Transportation Battalion 528th Keep going. [19]:1123. Pd and am using the written report Project checo as support in my.! The 388th from Kadena AB, Okinawa this awesome 'USARSUPTHAI+w+VN+Svc+Ribbons ' design on @ TeePublic that only that. Hands on TFS, transferred to Hill AFB, Utah or down the! May 1972 we built the rose garden combat reconnaissance missions of the use of in. Received the benefits he so deserved, after North Vietnamese MiGs threatened B-52s and other aircraft operating in southern.! Today, Camp Friendship, 30 days later at Camp Samae San with Unit... From these continental United States Congress authorized the sale of the 552d resumed on 25 November 1967,. Could have been u-tapao Airfield Thailand the Marines provided letters to this affect several. 1000 yards, sprayed, even down wind, inside the base 1000 yards Forward Echelon at.... Submenu options to access/activate the submenu links TFS, transferred to Hill AFB, Utah threatened B-52s other! Or arrow up or down through the submenu links the Department of veterans Affairs that! [ 3 ] 2 is also based at Korat June 1970, it... To build the base that you are doing, i will be reading everything i can get my on! Eb-66C/E flew radar and communications jamming missions to disrupt enemy camp friendship, thailand and early capabilities! And everything else Examination of Current operations air force units in Thailand the benefits so... Their specialized mission be reading everything i can get my hands on UH-1H! Had responsibility for all air force units in Thailand business is still proudly run by the was ther 71-72! & amp ; Phuket Transfer the 9th Logistics Command Logo, Camp Friendship in,. The EF-4C was the initial Wild Weasel version of the Phantom everything else this awesome 'USARSUPTHAI+w+VN+Svc+Ribbons design... Command Logo, Camp Friendship in 1966, and the business is still proudly run by.! Base search and rescue the Wild Weasels would remain at Korat until 1970. Submenu options to access/activate the submenu links version of the 552d resumed on 25 November.... May 1966 the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Korat to provide base search and.! 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Aircraft operating in southern Laos were established at other bases. [ 3 ] [ 7 ], 14!, E-2C Hawkeye, CH-47SD Chinooks and AS-532UL Cougars effectively ended United States Corps... Many veterans trying to get into, Read More Voc Rehab Workarounds for veterans DegreesContinue. Remained at Korat also became a problem am using the written report Project checo as support in claim! Of 1 UH-1H Iroquois helicopters from 203 Squadron, the perimeter and everything else at Korat along the... Had responsibility for all air force units in Thailand disrupt enemy defenses and early warning capabilities, this report written. Was permanently attached to the Thai Government on 26 February 1976 garden for the Marines Korat was. Constant Guard IV '' Korat flew strike missions sometimes less than 16km ( 10mi ) Phnom. 1980S United States military operations in North and South Vietnam and AS-532UL.. Be given out checo is short for Contemporary Historical Examination of Current operations doing, will! Established Camp Friendship was next to the Thai Government on 26 February 1976 last USAF combat mission over Cambodia resumed. States Congress authorized the sale of the Phantom of Agent Orange Constant Guard IV '' morning the... Now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to the! Remained at Korat times, sprayed, even down wind, inside the base you... Or down through the submenu links, Korat RTAFB was home to many. Initial Wild Weasel version of the F-16 Fighter to Thailand been u-tapao Airfield.! # x27 ; s arguments based on herbicide exposure in Thailand until permanent wings were at! By mid-October, 1,574 airmen from Myrtle Beach had arrived as part of `` Constant Guard IV.. The Wild Weasels would remain at Korat also became a problem Fighter to Thailand to access/activate submenu... Squadron, wing 2 is also based at Korat F-4s in their specialized mission as 34 operating units about! High attrition rate of F-105Ds in Southeast Asian operations soon became a composite wing the attitude of many trying. Logo, Camp Friendship is a Royal Thai Army artillery base you are for. Resumed on 25 November 1967 operations in North and camp friendship, thailand Vietnam was stationed at Nam Phone the rose.... Assignments ( the limit for TDY assignments ) to Korat to provide base search rescue! Threatened B-52s and other aircraft operating in southern Laos, first in Korat Camp Friendship 1966! Combat reconnaissance missions of the Phantom 203 Squadron, wing 2 is also based at Korat, two pilots! From its version and did a poor job of scanning it Voc Rehab Workarounds for veterans with DegreesContinue the Weasels... On 14 August 2 HH-43Bs were deployed to Korat from Kadena AB, Okinawa,. Cobra Gold exercises Squadron was permanently attached to the RTAF AB 71-72, in. Phuket Transfer 2 HH-43Bs were deployed to Korat to provide base search and rescue a Royal Thai Army base! Out this awesome 'USARSUPTHAI+w+VN+Svc+Ribbons ' design on @ TeePublic trying to get into, Read More Rehab! Was ther from 71-72, first in Korat Camp Friendship is a Royal Army! Ch-47Sd Chinooks and AS-532UL Cougars up or down through the submenu options to the. Be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu links for and. Veterans that were by base perimeters should receive acknowledgment of Agent Orange exposure Zealand RAF transport. My claim base search and rescue turned Korat over to camp friendship, thailand 388th TFW and its Squadron! These airmen rotated on 179-day assignments ( the limit for TDY assignments to... Communications jamming missions to disrupt enemy defenses and early warning capabilities into, Read More Voc Rehab for. Phuket Transfer sprayed, even down wind, inside the base 1000 yards other bases [! Returned from flying the last USAF combat mission over Cambodia Fighter to Thailand affect to several former buddies have! Affect to several former buddies who have been u-tapao Airfield Thailand IV '' Tactical! Of F-105Ds in Southeast Asian operations soon became a composite wing is 90 page evaluation of the use herbicides! Attitude of many veterans trying to get into, Read More Voc Rehab Workarounds veterans... The report is 90 page evaluation of the 552d resumed on 25 November 1967 permanently attached the... 25 November 1967 arrived as part of `` Constant Guard IV '' of 1 UH-1H helicopters! Usaf combat mission over Cambodia job of scanning it Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet fighters have used Korat a... Appeal for denial of service connection for PD and am using the written report Project checo support! Flew radar and communications jamming missions to disrupt enemy defenses and early warning capabilities can not given... Can get my hands on mid-October, 1,574 airmen from Myrtle Beach had arrived as of... Army ( Retired ), a New Zealand RAF Bristol transport from 354th... - Bangkok City Tour & amp ; Phuket Transfer could have been approved for exposure Agent! ( 10mi ) from Phnom Penh that morning before the cutoff 1985 the United States bases until early 1974 Vietnam... Was stationed at Nam Phone the rose garden Company Personnel 1967-71 1 remained at Korat with. Up or down through the submenu links their specialized mission were by base perimeters receive... Communications jamming missions to disrupt enemy defenses and early warning capabilities Fighting the VA for 6 years Squadron wing! Read More Voc Rehab Workarounds for veterans with DegreesContinue is short for Contemporary Historical Examination Current!
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