The EF-4Cs suffered from certain deficiencies which limited their combat effectiveness. The 44th would rotate pilots and personnel to Korat on a Temporary duty assignment (TDY) basis from 18 December 1964 25 February 1965, 21 April22 June 1965 and 1029 October 1965.[3][8]. File in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format, about 2.6 meg in size. 1966-71 256th AG Company Personnel 1967-71 Built new barracks fight on the fence line, or 9-10 feet. - Courtesy of 738th Engr Co in Feb'63 water buffalo scattering. 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. In 2005, he filed a claim for service connection for diabetes based on exposure to herbicides. - starhq Resources and Information. John Adams. By 1967, Korat RTAFB was home to as many as 34 operating units and about 6,500 USAF airmen. After its closure, the USAF retained some barracks and personnel support facilities. VA Secretary Robert Wilkie said the update was necessary to improve accuracy and [for] communication of information.. 800-829-4833, Veterans Crisis Line: 553rd Reconnaissance Wing Batcat Veterans Benefit, is CCK argued, and the Court agreed, that the Board failed to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases for finding the Veteran's lay testimony regarding service along the perimeter of Camp Friendship incredible. Korat RTAFB is the home of the 1st RTAF Wing, consisting of three (101, 102, 103) squadrons. On 23 April 1967, the 421st TFS was re-designated the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Attention A T users. 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 first facilities were built on the north side of the runway (145622N 1020459E / 14.93944N 102.08306E / 14.93944; 102.08306 (Old Post)). Present and Future Facilities at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB 30 June 1968, Department of the Air Force Master Base Plan Map Sorry to hear of your battle with skin cancer. With their return, the 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron was formed. I also remember them burning around the perimeter of the base. R. at 1510, 1642. along the perimeter of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 10 - the Recreation and Beach No family history of pd. The DRO who reviewed by claim has acknowledged that I was working with barrels of some substance. A drawdown of forces in Thailand was announced in mid-1974. Support 1963-71 57th Ordinance Company DS70th Aviation Detachment 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. These airplanes were acquired under the code name "Peace Naresuan IV". 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. Activist. Since the 1980s United States Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet fighters have used Korat as a base during Cobra Gold exercises. Seven others were lost due to non-combat reasons. Do you possibly remember him? Army Photo There were all types of different banded drums full of herbicides that the local nationals sprayed around all the buildings, the basketball courts, and the fences. _____________________________________________________________, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print VA is set to pay Leidos, an IT contractor, $25 million to implement its, Read More VA Pays Another IT Contractor Big BucksContinue, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print Yesterday, VA OIG touted its big win but left out the obvious, that its, Read More VA OIG Cries Foul, Agency Duped by a Gun-Toting, Felon, Sex OffenderContinue, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print The unveiling of the VA restructuring plan reportedly drew little outside enthusiasm. The monthly average expenditure for munitions was on the order of US$4,360,000. 4 Photo Credits: MSG Otto Uebel, Chuck Ackenbom established Camp Friendship in 1966, and the business is still proudly run by the . 2. The EC-121Ds provided airborne radar coverage and surveillance in support of aircraft flying combat operations. These airmen rotated on 179-day assignments (the limit for TDY assignments) to Korat from these continental United States bases until early 1974. For Parents; For Campers; For Staff; COVID-19; Blog; Login; Find Your Way. 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. U.S. Air Force Veterans who served on Royal Thai Air Force Bases (RTAF bases) at U-Tapao, Ubon, Nakhon Panom, Udorn, Takhli, Korat, and Don Muang, near the air base perimeter Army Veterans who provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand The annual cost for base operations and maintenance was about US$12,000,000. 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. 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. My duty was on the 270th Ord.. Det. The 388th TFW entered into intensive training program to maintain combat readiness and continued to fly electronic surveillance and intelligence missions. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) & Camp Friendship Maps Official Department of the Air Force Map Korat RTAFB, dated 1 January 1973. It is scaled at 1:1,562,500 and provides coverage for all of Thailand. Thomas Madej - TDY from Kunsan to 388th MMS - Munitions Line Delivery - Aug-Nov 1972 - Added March 4, 2018. Munitions Storage area at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Weapon 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. On 2 April 1972, an EB-66C Bat 21 was shot down over South Vietnam near the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone during the Easter Offensive. Lieutenant Colonel Middleton was leaving and . On 10 May 1969, the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron was transferred organizationally to the 347th TFW at Yokota AB, Japan, but it remained attached to the 388th TFW at Korat. Go to https://www.militaryvideo.com/ to purchase the entire video, or to see movie trailers of over 700 other military videos.This 70-minute DVD Includes excellent aerial views of the base, and show: base construction, President Johnson's visit in 1967, flight line activities, and Army areas on the base. there, 64-65, do you have a attorney? HHC USARSUPTHAI G-3 Section 4 Photo Credits: MSG Otto Uebel, statement" to the Thai Communists and Pathet The 347th became an F-4E wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, 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. Come camp with us! R. at 2188-89. 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. This really boils my blood. 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. Editors note: This story was updated to include further input from the Department of Defense. The battle staff was divided into four functional areas: command, operations, intelligence, and communications. I will keep at it though. He died from parkinsons and had been denied previously for Agent Orange exposure; as his spouse, Im still trying to get him the disability rating for Agent Orange. my husband was Yeoman,First Class (US Navy) was stationed in Bangkok, (USMACTHAI/JUSMAGTHAI), 1968-70; he worked with ALL military (joint command); one of his duties was courier and frequently met with high ranking officials, probably went to bases, shipsno record of his daily travels; only evidence I have is that courier duty was mentioned in one of his evaluations and I dont know how to get in touch with person who signed eval (cant make signature out). [5]:196, In September 1970, the 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, which flew EB-66s, transferred to Korat from Takhli. Korat RTAFB detailing areas of the base near the perimeter, Map showing the location of Camp Friendship, Map showing the Cantonment area of Camp Friendship, Map of the Flight Line at Thai Forces fly F-16A/B Fighting Falcons, F-5E Tigers and ground attack L-39's, and Alpha Jets of 231 Squadron. Viet Nam era US Army base. Storage area at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Map of the Support 1965-71 9th Logistical Command HHD Logistics Support 1963-70 9th Logistics Pad 55/56 13th MP Company, In addition to the F-5E and F-5F fighter-bombers, OV-10C counter-insurgency aircraft, transports, and helicopters were added to the RTAF inventory. Their primary objective was to create an anti-vehicle barrier. Note the color of the barrels - Orange. The 501 st Field Depot performed duty with the United States Army Pacific on 8 February 1967. On 17 November 1968, an F-4E squadron from Eglin AFB, Florida, replaced the single-seat F-105D Thunderchiefs of the 469th TFS. Korat RTAFB is a major facility for the Cope Tiger exercises, an annual, multinational exercise conducted in two phases in the Asia-Pacific region. [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 flew 386 combat sorties over Laos during January and 1,449 in February 1973. Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Google Map Photo of On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. and defense of Thailand. During the 1980s and early-1990s, the airfield was jointly operated as a civil airport for Nakhon Ratchasima. Our platoon from the 720th MP Bn in Korat RTAFB, Brett Watterson sent me this map of Korat RTAFB which he highlighted the full perimeter, Official Department of the Air Force Map Cat Lover Quote Vietnam War Cat Life Southeast Asia Family History Missions Company, Pipeline Construction Support 1965-69 720th Military Police Battalion 738th Engineer Support Company, Supply 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. Camp Friendship Korat, Thailand 1968-1969 Show more . 720th MP Battalion Samae San Camp, Thai Marine Corps Base US Army base built late 1960's in support of Thailand to keep it free of Communist. 28th Signal Company31st MED Field Hospital 1962-70 HHD B 9th Log CommandHQ 809th Engineer Battalion [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. [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. Join Your Unit Today Join VetFriends To: Reunite with Unit Buddies Browse Military Units Post Unit Messages details of the RTAFB side of the field, details My first assignment was to the Transportation Corps, in the 519 th Transportation Battalion of the 291 st Transportation Company, at Camp Friendship, Thailand (near Korat). 55th Signal Company57th MAINT Company, Direct Thank you to those who posted this declassified document, without whose help this would not have been possible. In July 1964, approximately 500 airmen and officers were deployed to begin construction, and the completion of essential base facilities was completed by October 1964, although due to its primitive nature, the air force living area was known for several years as "Camp Nasty" in counterpoint to the Army facility at Camp Friendship. Here is the List of the Top 100 VA Employee Salaries, Voc Rehab Workarounds for Veterans with Degrees, Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure, VA Public Health Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure. 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]. 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. [4]:135 The A-7D aircraft were pitted against the F-4 aircraft in dissimilar air combat exercises. 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. The location must have been a DoD installation, land under control of DoD or a non-DoD location where service members were present during testing, application, transportation or storage. have hearing loss. Comm Long Lines Battalion Office Thai workers: Dang, SEATO exercise that JFK had ordered to "make a [3] The army retained a portion of the aircraft parking ramp for logistical support of Camp Friendship. . [2], The host unit was the 44th Engineer Group (Construction), part of the 9th Logistics Command. 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. In addition, to maintain positive control of air operations, the 7th ACCS provided communications to higher headquarters. the Air Force Map Korat RTAFB above, Official Department of the Air Force Map 7th Airlift Platoon7th MAINT Battalion, Direct Camp Friendship, Nakhon Ratchasima, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand Photo by Spec.5 Wayne Eusanio Enlisted Men and Helicopter Mechanics of U.S. Army Aviation 270th Transportation Detachment in Barracks at Camp Friendship, May 1970, Vietnam War Era Nakhon Ratchasima, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand Photo by Spec.5 Wayne Eusanio Forty-three pilots and electronic warfare officers (EWO) were listed as killed (KIA) or missing in action (MIA). Sign with the 9th Logistics Command Logo, Camp Friendship was next to the In February 1972, the 67th TFS returned on temporary duty to Korat from Kadena AB, this time being equipped with the EF-4C aircraft. In Cambodia the USAF carried out a massive bombing campaign to prevent the Khmer Rouge from taking over the country. 46th U.S. Army Special Forces Co 10/66 - 4/74 "In October 1966 Company D, 1st Special Forces Group [Airborne], 1 st Special Forces, which was organized 15 April 1966 at Fort Bragg, arrived in Thailand. [16]:209. 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. Lt Col. Iceal Hambleton was the only crewmember able to eject, which set into motion an 11 1/2-day search and rescue operation. 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. 17, 601st Photo Flight (MAC), (HQ - 600th Photo Squadron), 1974th Communications Squadron and Group (Tenant AFCS), 1998th Communications Squadron (Tenant AFCS), American Forces Thailand Network (Tenant AFRTS), 7th MAINT Battalion, Direct Support 196571, 9th Logistical Command HHD Logistics Support 196370, 40th MP Battalion, Military Police Support 196770, 41st ORD Company, Direct Ammunition Support 3/1966-9/1966, 44th Engineer Group, HHC/HHD Construction 196270, 57th MAINT Company, Direct Support 196371, 133rd MED Group, HHD Medical Support 196870, 219th MP Company, Physical Security 196671, 428th MED Battalion, HHD Medical Support 196668, 528th Engineer Detachment (Utilities) *change (28 August 2011), 538th Engineer Battalion, Construction 196570, 593rd EN Company, Construction 6/1963-8/1963, 597th MAINT Company, Direct Support 196669, 697th EN Company, Pipeline Construction Support 196569, 738th Engineer Support Company, Supply Point *196365*, This page was last edited on 20 December 2022, at 22:20. Thailand Vietnam War Vietnam Southeast Asia Camp Friendship viewed from the air in 1964. Detachment one, REDHORSE CES, attached to this thirty plus unit. Lao. 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 [4]:125. Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force, LINEBACKER II map of B-52's from Andersen AFB, Guam and Utapao RTAFB, Thailand. As mentioned I lived on it for a year. Got promoted to E5 with promo party at . The EB-66C/E flew radar and communications jamming missions to disrupt enemy defenses and early warning capabilities. Welcome to Camp Friendship! Meltal Shipping Containers near the perimeter at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Defoiliated . Day 1 - Bangkok Airport Pickup + Khaosan Road. The plane landed on the highway between Korat and Khon Kaen, closer to Khon Kaen . 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. Worked on flight line. Storage and Maintenance, Missle Maintenance Shop at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Defoiliated R. at 1523. [3], The 388th TFW lost 48 aircraft in combat during 1967. Heavy jungle on one side of wire, barren , moon scape on the camp side. Today, Camp Friendship is a Royal Thai Army artillery base. USARSUPTHAI CE DivisionUSASTRATCOM SIG Battalion 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. - U.S. Army (Retired), A New Zealand RAF Bristol transport. The initial College Eye support team personnel arrived at Korat on 20 September 1967. 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.. Radio call signs for these missions were Moonbeam, Alleycat, Hillsboro and Cricket. It was replaced by the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron, also flying F-105Ds, which was deployed from the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. The squadron's primary mission became one of flying escort to the wing's regular strike force to suppress anti-aircraft artillery (AAA) and surface-to-air missile (SAM). During the Vietnam War, from 1962 to 1975, Korat RTAFB was a front-line facility of the United States Air Force (USAF) in Thailand. From DoD: CHECO Report. With the GAO report, DoD compelled to come up with a more comprehensive list, not go back and revise what they already confirmed.. U.S. Army Veteranswho were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. 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.. Engineer Detachment (Utilities) *change (Aug. 28, 2011)538th Engineer Battalion, thanks Joan Williams. 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. 590th Supply & Service (DS)590th QM Company As of now, health wise I suffer arthritis, a stent in my heart, none of which is on the illness of AO. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in northeast Thailand, approximately 200km (125mi) northeast of Bangkok and about 4km (2.5mi) 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. Commando Scrimmage covered skills such as dogfighting, aerial refuelling, airborne command posts and forward air controllers. I was told the backlog is so severe that they are currently only now hearing cases filed back in 2013. Anyhow, these early times of modern Thailand can still be found today, especially on the Isaan and even in BKK too where I lived.