In Cambodia the USAF carried out a massive bombing campaign to prevent the Khmer Rouge from taking over the country. All F-16s are the block 15 version. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in northeast Thailand, approximately 200 km (125 mi) northeast of Bangkok and about 4 km (2.5 mi) south of the centre of the city of Nakhon Ratchasima in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province (also known as "Khorat" or "Korat"), the largest province in Thailand . of the Cantonment area of Don Muang RTAFB, further details of the of the Cantonment area of Don Muang RTAFB, details of the of the Cantonment area of Don Muang RTAFB in PDF format, of Don Muang RTAFB 3. During the Vietnam War, from 1962 to 1975, Korat RTAFB was a front-line facility of the United States Air Force (USAF) in Thailand. Please switch auto forms mode to off. R. at 1523. The 652ndTopographic Engineer Battalion depicted the broad reach of American forces in Thailand, which can be seen below. Less than a month later, on 17 October the first seven EC-121D aircraft redeployed from Ubon, followed two days later by the arrival of the Batcat EC-121Rs. Editors note: This story was updated to include further input from the Department of Defense. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) & Camp Friendship Maps Official Department of the Air Force Map Korat RTAFB, dated 1 January 1973. The monthly average expenditure for munitions was on the order of US$4,360,000. However, the Army Veteran must have been a member of a. I can remember working the midnight at the Com Centre then going back to the barracks to sleep and then waking up to this horrible smell only to find the barracks filled with smoke from them doing there perimeter burn. I have yet to hear from the VA on the status of my claim. But veterans with one of the 14 diseases listed as Agent Orange-related conditions who were exposed outside Vietnam face the burden of proving exposure. The DRO who reviewed by claim has acknowledged that I was working with barrels of some substance. From DoD: CHECO Report. The 388th Tactical Fighter Wing used those parts of Camp Friendship for overflow of personnel assigned or deployed to it until the USAF turned Korat Air Base over to the RTAF in early 1976.[30]. In 1961, the Kennedy administration feared a communist invasion or insurgency inside Thailand would spread from the Laotian Civil War. The American withdrawal had quickly revealed to the Thai Government the inadequacy of its air force in the event of a conventional war in Southeast Asia. Note the color of the barrels - Orange. And while the new list contains six locations in Thailand, it adds a new clarification to those locations descriptions: No herbicide was sprayed in Thailand.. I was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease (PD) in 2004 and filed my claim in 2005. * Memories of Camp Friendship * 1. File in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format, about 2.6 meg in size. DCSSPOHHC 9th Logistics HHC USARSUPTHAI The 12th TFS was equipped with the F-105G and was temporarily reassigned to Takhli in June 1967. [29] It was a large facility (larger than Korat RTAFB) complete with support offices, barracks for about 4,000 personnel, enlisted, NCO, and officer clubs, a motor pool, a large hospital, athletic fields, and other facilities. This is the highest resolution map I have of Korat RTAFB. Thank you for your service My husband served in USAF at Udorn. The U.S. Army had enough quarters and stockpiled equipment Company TC January 1970. 270th Transportation Det270th Ord Detachment 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. Sign with the 9th Logistics Command Logo, Camp Friendship was next to the - starhq Resources and Information. Radio call signs for these missions were Moonbeam, Alleycat, Hillsboro and Cricket. Do you have THAILAND, CAMP FRIENDSHIP Reunion information you'd like to share Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. Munitions Storage area at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Weapon [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. The 519th was under the 9 th Logistical Command and had been given the primary mission of delivering all types of military cargo to US Military facilities throughout Thailand. It was called theProject CHECO Report. detailed annotations, Map of the Southwest section of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 5 - B-52 Ramp, NE Quadrant U-Tapao RTAFB with The Geneva Accords of 1962 ended the immediate threat, but both Camp Friendship and Korat RTAFB were developed as part of the buildup of forces in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. To enter and activate the submenu links, hit the down arrow. Air strikes by the USAF peaked just before the deadline, as the Khmer National Armed Forces engaged a force of about 10,000 Khmer Rouge encircling Phnom Penh. RTAF AB. Celebrating Christmas with our house girls and their children/families. Over the last few years, Cope Tiger has widened to include CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) assets and in 2007 for the first time RTAFB Udon Thani was also used as a base during this exercise. The APO for Korat RTAFB was APO San Francisco, 96288, The first USAF units at Korat were under the command of the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). The EC-130s and personnel of 7th ACCS were transferred to the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing at Clark Air Base, Philippines on 22 May 1974. On 30 April 1972 the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (ACCS) was assigned to the 388th TFW from Udon RTAFB and began flying missions in its EC-130E Hercules aircraft, which were equipped with command and control capsules. With the GAO report, DoD compelled to come up with a more comprehensive list, not go back and revise what they already confirmed.. on behalf of JFK and the appreciation of our government for Laos and Cambodia, however, were not signatories to the Paris agreement and remained in states of war. As of now, health wise I suffer arthritis, a stent in my heart, none of which is on the illness of AO. On 23 December 1975, the 388th TFW and its remaining squadron, the 34th TFS, transferred to Hill AFB, Utah. 7th Airlift Platoon7th MAINT Battalion, Direct 590th Supply & Service (DS)590th QM Company "kiwi bird" stenciled on it. I was ther from 71-72, first in Korat Camp Friendship, 30 days later at Camp Samae San with Signal Unit. Congressional pressure in Washington grew against these bombings, and on 30 June 1973, the United States Congress passed Public law PL 93-50 and 93-52, which cut off all funds for combat in Cambodia and all of Indochina effective 15 August 1973. I also remember them burning around the perimeter of the base. Army Photo These airplanes were acquired under the code name "Peace Naresuan IV". With the political changes in the US during 1974, and the resignation of President Nixon, the air power of the United States at its Thailand bases did not respond to the collapse of the Lon Nol government to the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia during April 1975 nor to the takeover of Laos by the Pathet Lao. These airmen rotated on 179-day assignments (the limit for TDY assignments) to Korat from these continental United States bases until early 1974. Our platoon from the 720th MP Bn in He recently received the benefits he so deserved, after fighting the VA for 6 years. Day 6 - Transfer to Phi Phi Island! [3] The army retained a portion of the aircraft parking ramp for logistical support of Camp Friendship. Their primary objective was to create an anti-vehicle barrier. without the express written consent of the Webmaster or of the individual authors. 553rd Reconnaissance Wing Batcat Veterans Benefit, is 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 However, the Army Veteran must have been a member of a military police (MP) unit or was assigned an MP military occupational specialty whose dutyplaced him/her at or near the base perimeter. Camp Friendship is located approximately 125 miles North-East of Bangkok in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima and adjoined Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. By mid-October, 1,574 airmen from Myrtle Beach had arrived as part of "Constant Guard IV". These included a C-130E Hercules from 36 Airlift Squadron, 374 Airlift Wing (based at Yokota AB, Japan) in 2006, and a G-222 and a C-130H from the RTAF in 2007. All photos received after January 2000 were put in the Photo Annex. The origins of Korat Air Base dates back to the Japanese Occupation of Thailand during World War II. Come camp with us! On 23 April 1967 the 44th TFS's primary mission became one of flying escort to the wing's regular strike force to suppress AAA and SAM fire as a Wild Weasel squadron. Do a search for herbicides be pressing Control+F and then typing in the word. Copyright 2002-2020 us-seasia. Camp Friendship Korat, Thailand 1968-1969 Show more . Defense Secretary Mark Esper added that the new list will be updated as verifiable information becomes available.. This needs reconciliation for folks like your dad and everyone else that are victims these cover ups and lies.We were all just doing what we were asked to do. [16]:209[22]. Seven others were lost due to non-combat reasons. Day 1 - Bangkok Airport Pickup + Khaosan Road. Also important are the camouflaged Lockheed EC-121R aircraft on the ramp immediately behind. The squadron had a minimum of two aircraft airborne 24 hours a day directing and coordinating the effective employment of tactical air resources throughout Southeast Asia. Thai Forces fly F-16A/B Fighting Falcons, F-5E Tigers and ground attack L-39's, and Alpha Jets of 231 Squadron. Once I flew in one to Bkk, less than Get an attorney and do your your research. On 15 October 1969, the F-105-equipped 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron was transferred and reassigned to the 355th TFW at Takhli RTAFB. The DoD list is instrumental in helping support many of these veterans claims. The battle staff was divided into four functional areas: command, operations, intelligence, and communications. 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. That is, until now. For Parents; For Campers; For Staff; COVID-19; Blog; Login; Find Your Way. Worked on flight line. [6] From 30 October through 31 December 1964, F-105s from the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron were deployed from the 41st Air Division, Yokota AB, Japan. USARSUPTHAI The Wild Weasel concept was originally proposed in 1965 as a method of countering the increasing North Vietnamese SAM threat, using volunteer crews. Today, Camp Friendship is a Royal Thai Army artillery base. The USAF implemented Palace Lightning, to withdraw its aircraft and personnel from Thailand. The unit was dissolved on 1 April being temporarily redesignated Detachment 4, 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group before being redesignated as the 56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 8 July and absorbing the HH-43 detachment at Korat. The high loss rate of the F-105s in the two combat wings at Korat and Takhli RTAFB required the squadron to send its aircraft to Thailand as replacement aircraft. Ammunition Depot which was a few miles from the base, it also was sprayed This ended with the opening of Nakhon Ratchasima Airport in the early-1990s. It was replaced by the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, also flying F-105Ds, which was deployed from the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. providing sovereign territory use by our military personnel in support of the Vietnam War 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. [3], South of the existing runway, construction of a large air base was begun to support a full USAF combat wing. Consequently, the EF-4C was seen only as an interim Wild Weasel aircraft, pending the introduction of a more suitable type. But the list, published Jan. 27 by the Department of Veterans Affairs, omits more than 40 locations previously noted as exposure sites by DoD in 2018 deletions that could undermine other veterans pending claims. During the 1980s and early-1990s, the airfield was jointly operated as a civil airport for Nakhon Ratchasima. area near the Weapons Storage and Maintenance Area at Ubon RTAFB, Map of the Support 1963-71 57th Ordinance Company DS70th Aviation Detachment My dad was over in Thailand on an Air Force base, I dont know which one but he said they would go to the beach. (DS) 1964-65 593rd EN Company, Construction 6/1963-8/1963 597th MAINT Company, Direct Support 1966-69 697th EN 6,650 views. 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. Having difficult time finding anything about USMACTHAI/JUSMAGTHAI and agent orange exposure. - Courtesy of 738th Engr Co in Feb'63 The USAF officially turned Korat over to the Thai Government on 26 February 1976. The Department of Veterans Affairs concluded that only veterans that were by base perimeters should receive acknowledgment of Agent Orange exposure. Find Camp friendship images dated from 1992 to 2020. there, 64-65, do you have a attorney? detailed annotations, Map 7 - the Demolitioin area and all its contents are property of us-seasia. Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. My understanding is you dont die from Parkinsons, you die form something else. Combat reconnaissance missions of the 552d resumed on 25 November 1967. The conversion of USAFE units to the F-4D Phantom enabled some of the European-based F-105Ds to be transferred to Southeast Asia, but this was not sufficient to offset the heavy attrition rate. 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. 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. [4] They would remain at Korat until June 1965 when they were moved to Udorn RTAFB and then to Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam and replaced at Korat by HC-54s. Built new barracks fight on the fence line, or 9-10 feet. the location of Udorn RTAFB, Map of B-52 Ramp, NE Quadrant U-Tapao RTAFB with By 1967, Korat RTAFB was home to as many as 34 operating units and about 6,500 USAF airmen. The only missions flown were aircraft of the 388th TFW providing air cover and escort during Operation Eagle Pull, the evacuation of Americans from Phnom Penh, Cambodia and Operation Frequent Wind the evacuation of Americans and at-risk Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam. According to DoD spokesman Chuck Prichard, the new list replaces the one from 2018 and is the result of DoDs thorough review of the records for use, storage and testing of Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides outside of Vietnam.. Ironically it was approved for PTSD, not AO Never received a ruling on that, 100% trumps everything. I could see the farmers looking up and the The mission of the 501 st Field Depot was assigned to Camp Friendship in Korat to assume the supply mission for Thailand, Laos, Cambodia . Lt Col. Iceal Hambleton was the only crewmember able to eject, which set into motion an 11 1/2-day search and rescue operation. The VA omitted pages from its version and did a poor job of scanning it. In February 2003, the veteran married the . 55th Signal Company57th MAINT Company, Direct [4]:139, On 1415 May 1975, aircraft assigned to Korat provided air cover in what is considered the last battle of the Vietnam war, the recovery of the SS Mayaguez after it was hijacked by the Khmer Rouge. area at Ubon RTAFB, Map of the Munitions The Court found that there is a difference between . including the Herbicide/Agent Orange Drift Zone, Map of the Munitions 720th MP Battalion Early that year a combined U.S. task force was deployed to Thailand on a military exercise which included a Marine Battalion Landing Team (BLT), the 1st Battle Group. Sorry to hear of your battle with skin cancer. Served at Camp Vayama (Sattahip, Thailand) oct67-oct68. The new Phantom squadron, the first E-models in Thailand, retained the designation 469th TFS. I have read about agent Orange and skin cancer and I am going to the VA to see if this might be related. 2. R. at 2188-89. The flying training portion of the exercise promotes closer relations and enables air force units in the region to sharpen air combat skills and practice interoperability with US forces. Adjacent to Korat RTAFB to the south was United States Army Camp Friendship. Also an Army Vet from Korat Thailand 68-69 who has been denied compensation by our VA. Korat Air Base Thailand and Camp Friendship 1965-1970 militaryvideocom 40.5K subscribers 43K views 15 years ago Like This Movie Trailer? 313th Transportation Company TC 4 Photo Credits: MSG Otto Uebel, US Embassy Attache Office Since we were obligated to perform police call, played sports, walked in all areas of the compounds, we were subject to herbicides that we suspect were Agent Orange. Point *1963-65* 809th Engineer Battalion In addition, to maintain positive control of air operations, the 7th ACCS provided communications to higher headquarters. They were not Wild Weasel aircraft, since they did not have the means to attack radar installations directly. Engineer Detachment (Utilities) *change (Aug. 28, 2011)538th Engineer Battalion, On 30 June 1975, the 347th TFW F-111As and the 428th and 429th TFS were inactivated. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. The report is 90 page evaluation of the use of herbicides in Thailand. Present and Future Facilities at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB 30 June 1968, Department of the Air Force Master Base Plan Map Including transit time to and from station, an average flight was typically about 10 hours, and the force ranged between five and seven aircraft at any one time. Please help. Korat RTAFB is the home of the 1st RTAF Wing, consisting of three (101, 102, 103) squadrons. Once completed, army forces moved into Camp Friendship, turning the facilities north of the Korat RTAFB runway over to the Thai armed forces. 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. The wars in Cambodia and Laos, however continued. The new DoD list contains nearly 150 testing and storage locations, with updates that include specific dates of release or containment, as well as 26 additions, including places like Aberdeen. In Thailand, he was assigned Camp Friendship at Korat Royal Thai Air Base. Photo Credits: [5]:269. Korat, Thailand 30000 Tel (044) 251652-4 255349, or 255372 Fax (044) 251655 [email protected] Photo Credits Sri Patana Hotel, Korat, Thailand "Make your plans for a Mini-Reunion in Korat at the luxurious Sri Patana from under $15/night (Single Occupancy) to $20/night (Double) - including Room Tax, Service Charge & Continental Breakfast !" Thanks for everyone's support, hope this change will be an enhancement to the site. [2], The host unit was the 44th Engineer Group (Construction), part of the 9th Logistics Command. Detachment one, REDHORSE CES, attached to this thirty plus unit. All rights reserved. Thirty-eight F-5E and F-5F Tiger II fighter-bombers formed the nucleus of the RTAF's defense and tactical firepower. The EF-4C was the initial Wild Weasel version of the Phantom. The 46th Special Forces Company, 1st Special Forces was activated 15 April 1967 in Thailand using assets of Company D, 1 st Special Forces Group. The base that you are looking for could have been u-tapao Airfield Thailand. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) & Camp Friendship Maps Official Department of the Air Force Map Korat RTAFB, dated 1 January 1973. It returned in November 1971, now known as Disco, after North Vietnamese MiGs threatened B-52s and other aircraft operating in southern Laos. This is the highest resolution map I have of Korat RTAFB. With their return, the 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron was formed. 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. With these re-organizations, the 44th TFS possessed both D and F model Thunderchiefs. I have provided letters to this affect to several former buddies who have been approved for exposure to Agent Orange. Korat RTAFB is a major facility for the Cope Tiger exercises, an annual, multinational exercise conducted in two phases in the Asia-Pacific region. we were never informed what kind of herbicides were being used other than it was to rid the area of excess growth and weeds. It was re-equipped with F-4Es on 5 July. Now as saying that My husband has Parkinsons, 9 years from being stationed in Thailand and them spraying A.O. 281st MP Company291st Transportation Company TC 258th Transportation Detachment 260th Transportation Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force, LINEBACKER II map of B-52's from Andersen AFB, Guam and Utapao RTAFB, Thailand. Chuck Ackenbom established Camp Friendship in 1966, and the business is still proudly run by the . 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron, 15 May 1966 (F-105F), On 15 March 1974, the EB-66s of the 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron were sent to. Lao. The annual cost for base operations and maintenance was about US$12,000,000. B-52 Ramp and Asset Perimeter Wires at U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 9 - driving HQ USARSUPTHAI LiaisonJoint Task Force 116 JUSMAG The updated list includes Agents Orange, Pink, Green, Purple, Blue and White and other chemicals, used to create the defoliants, Esper said in a release. Day 7 - Phi Phi Boat Trip. The first facilities were built on the north side of the runway (145622N 1020459E / 14.93944N 102.08306E / 14.93944; 102.08306 (Old Post)). The U.S. Army had enough quarters and stockpiled equipment to support an infantry battle group, eg, the 25th Infantry Division stationed in Hawaii - if they were ever needed. [3][7], On 14 August 2 HH-43Bs were deployed to Korat to provide base search and rescue. 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. [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. The Daily Reporter mistakenly concluded the DoD declassified the document recently when it was actually declassified in 1989 but only released recently by the agency. - Courtesy of 738th Engr Co in Feb'63 This Website It was assigned APO San Francisco 96233. tlxLastPublishedDate.toLocaleString() : now.toLocaleString(); document.write("Last updated on " + edited); Geographical Location: Camp Friendship is located approximately 125 miles North-East of Bangkok in the city of Nakhon Ratchasima and adjoined already "tagged" it. Thank you to those who posted this declassified document, without whose help this would not have been possible. Cantonment area at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Nakhon Phanom - A Security Police Sentry Dog Handlers Perspective, Map of Various Japanese facilities were used by the RTAF (including the airfield control tower) until the 1960s. 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. My Regional Office is Phoenix, AZ and I am deeply saddened and worried by the events taking place at this time and concerned about the outcome of my claim. In early 1966, standard F-105Ds with no special electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment accompanied F-100 Wild Weasel I aircraft equipped with basic ECM equipment. It was a separate facility which pre-dated Korat RTAFB. and Bangkok International Airport (Vietnam era), while landing at My duty was on the 270th Ord.. Det. Also, they must have been used in application at test sites, in labs or greenhouses, while being transported on vehicles or ships or stored. Board (AFPMB) that Agent Orange was not used in Thailand. The 34th TFS shut down, and flew their aircraft to Hill AFB, Utah, in December of that year. UPDATE: after posting this, I found a better version of the CHECO Report from DoD. [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. The 354th TFW Forward Echelon at Korat also became a composite wing. We, Read More Here is the List of the Top 100 VA Employee SalariesContinue, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Have degree will travel. Viet Nam era US Army base. Developed larynx cancer and have been treated with radiation and chemo.
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