Thanks for everyone's support, hope this change will be an enhancement to the site. Various Japanese facilities were used by the RTAF (including the airfield control tower) until the 1960s. 1,000 feet above the ground. The statement is in direct opposition to Defense Department documents that explicitly state herbicides were sprayed in Thailand in the early 1970s to protect bases from counterinsurgency attacks. File in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format, about 2.6 meg in size. I was stationed at NKP Thailand in 1968. 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. HHC USARSUPTHAI G-3 Section 877-222-8387, TDD (Hearing Impaired) 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 . In 1961, the Kennedy administration feared a communist invasion or insurgency inside Thailand would spread from the Laotian Civil War. Call: 988 (Press 1), U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420. 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]. In October 1967 the 44th TFS absorbed the mission and makeup of 13th TFS. This is the highest resolution map I have of Korat RTAFB. Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Map of the Flight Line, perimeter The F-111s were sent to the 422d Fighter Weapons Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. We lived in severe poverty because dad was so sick and couldnt work. I have Parkinsons etc Why only the air force bases? Get an attorney and do your your research. 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. 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]. An advisory force of Army personnel was sent to Thailand and their first reports indicated that significant infrastructure improvement in the country would be needed in order for US forces to land in the Gulf of Siam and move north to the expected invasion areas along the Mekong River between Laos and Thailand. During the Vietnam War, pilots from Korat RTAFB primarily flew interdiction, direct air support, armed reconnaissance, and fighter escort missions. RTAF AB. [16]:209. It was apparently released last year, though Im not sure when it was officially declassified. [4]:154. I also remember them burning around the perimeter of the base. [19] On 11 August 1967 388th TFW F-105s participated in the first attack on the Paul Doumer Bridge in Hanoi which successfully destroyed one span of the bridge. of Takhli RTAFB, Annotated Google Map Photo of [16]:209[22]. 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. 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. 513th MP Det519th Transportation Battalion 528th Do you have USARSUPTHAI, CAMP FRIENDSHIP, KORAT, THAILAND Reunion information you'd like to share Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. Korat also housed components of the RTAF and a detachment of No. Anyhow, these early times of modern Thailand can still be found today, especially on the Isaan and even in BKK too where I lived. 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. there, 64-65, do you have a attorney? My duty was on the 270th Ord.. Det. Sign with the 9th Logistics Command Logo, Camp Friendship was next to the 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. Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Google Map Photo of In 1985 the United States Congress authorized the sale of the F-16 fighter to Thailand. Thai Forces fly F-16A/B Fighting Falcons, F-5E Tigers and ground attack L-39's, and Alpha Jets of 231 Squadron. In general, the F-100 would identify the SAM site and the F-105Ds would fly the strike. Pilots fly both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training missions. Viet Nam era US Army base. [5]:1967 The mission gradually evolved with the addition of new weapons and ECM equipment until the F-4 replaced the F-100 and the F-105D was replaced by the more capable and specialized two-place F-105F and G models. already "tagged" it. F-105F/G Wild Weasel SAM Anti-Radar squadrons assigned to the 388th TFW were: The tactics employed on the Iron Hand missions were primarily designed to suppress the SA-2 SAM and gun-laying radar defenses of North Vietnam during the ingress, attack, and egress of the main strike force. - Courtesy of 738th Engr Co in Feb'63 The mission of the Wild Weasels was to eliminate SAM sites in North Vietnam. A detachment of 1 UH-1H Iroquois helicopters from 203 Squadron, Wing 2 is also based at Korat. In February 2003, the veteran married the . On 23 December 1975, the 388th TFW and its remaining squadron, the 34th TFS, transferred to Hill AFB, Utah. Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. we were never informed what kind of herbicides were being used other than it was to rid the area of excess growth and weeds. I was told the backlog is so severe that they are currently only now hearing cases filed back in 2013. 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. During the 1980s and early-1990s, the airfield was jointly operated as a civil airport for Nakhon Ratchasima. and defense of Thailand. Nonetheless, all runways on the closed or transferred airfields were still available for military training and emergency use. 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. Please view the image below showing positively that barrels of Agent Orange were stored at Korat RTAFB. [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. It was called theProject CHECO Report. Attorney. It may sound full of hokey pokey, but it's the truth. I spent much more time in a contaminated area then just walking guard on the perimeter. With the GAO report, DoD compelled to come up with a more comprehensive list, not go back and revise what they already confirmed.. 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 !" The 347th became an F-4E wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. 590th Supply & Service (DS)590th QM Company On 17 April, the USAF flew its last mission over Laos, attacking a handful of targets requested by the Laotian government. 1966-71 256th AG Company Personnel 1967-71 It was assigned APO San Francisco 96233. Also important are the camouflaged Lockheed EC-121R aircraft on the ramp immediately behind. Immediately after the news broke of the use of Thai bases to support the Mayaguez rescue the Thai Government lodged a formal protest with the US and riots broke out outside the US Embassy in Bangkok. R. at 2188-89. 999th Engineer Battalion. Along with the Myrtle Beach personnel, elements of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing from Davis-Monthan AFB Arizona were deployed to support the A-7D aircraft, being replaced by A-7Ds from the 23d Tactical Fighter Wing from England AFB. SEATO exercise that JFK had ordered to "make a R. at 996. By mid-October, 1,574 airmen from Myrtle Beach had arrived as part of "Constant Guard IV". All photos received after January 2000 were put in the Photo Annex. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links. - Courtesy of 738th Engr Co in Feb'63 Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB) & Camp Friendship Maps Official Department of the Air Force Map Korat RTAFB, dated 1 January 1973. Normally, it included 12 members working in nine different specialties. According to Prichard, locations were selected or deleted based on criteria including the existence of an official record, to include government reports, forms, unit histories, shipping logs, contracts, scientific reports or photographs. An expansion of combat operations from Korat initiated with the arrival of EC-121 Warning Stars of the College Eye Task Force (later designated Det 1, 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing) from Ubon RTAFB and EC-121R Batcats of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing. [5]:147 This squadron was in existence until the end of April when it was discontinued and the 6234th Combat Support Group, the 6234th Support Squadron, and the 6234th Material Squadron were designated and organized as a result of a 3 May 1965 Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) special order. As of now, health wise I suffer arthritis, a stent in my heart, none of which is on the illness of AO. It's why Camp Friendship was founded and what we are all about. including the Herbicide/Agent Orange Drift Zone, Map of the Munitions However, the Army Veteran must have been a member of a. Thomas Madej - TDY from Kunsan to 388th MMS - Munitions Line Delivery - Aug-Nov 1972 - Added March 4, 2018. R. at 1510, 1642. For Parents; For Campers; For Staff; COVID-19; Blog; Login; Find Your Way. The 34th TFS shut down, and flew their aircraft to Hill AFB, Utah, in December of that year. The 9th Logistical Command (B) was inactivated on 12 June 1970 at Camp Samae San, Sattahip. Commando Scrimmage covered skills such as dogfighting, aerial refuelling, airborne command posts and forward air controllers. Thank you to those who posted this declassified document, without whose help this would not have been possible. Combat reconnaissance missions of the 552d resumed on 25 November 1967. 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). Ironically it was approved for PTSD, not AO Never received a ruling on that, 100% trumps everything. I have an appeal for denial of service connection for PD and am using the written report Project CHECO as support in my claim. The DRO who reviewed by claim has acknowledged that I was working with barrels of some substance. At 11:00 15 August 1973, the Congressionally-mandated cutoff went into effect, bringing combat activities over the skies of Cambodia to an end. Consequently, the EF-4C was seen only as an interim Wild Weasel aircraft, pending the introduction of a more suitable type. [2], The host unit was the 44th Engineer Group (Construction), part of the 9th Logistics Command. 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