U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Base

U-Tapao Royal Thai Airfield is located south of Bangkok near Sattihip, Thailand. This was a major Air Force asset during the Viet Nam conflict. The base was home for B-52 bombers, KC-135 aircraft refueling tankers, and even a U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. In 1965, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) began a long nine-year effort in Southeast Asia to provide bomber support to American & Allied forces. The bombers TDY to U-Tapao were from several stateside bases. The bombers flew during the massive "Arc Light" and "Linebacker II" operations. Day after day, B-52s would take off from U-Tapao dropping bombs on North Vietnamese and Viet Cong supply areas.

H. L. Hartford, Sentry Dog Handler said, “ During the morning hours, as the B-52's were returning to base, I recall what we called the line up of B-52's approaching the Air Base from a bombing mission. As they lined up, one after another turned on their landing lights, and at times you could see like pearls on a string with as many as seven to ten sky-lit jewel B-52's approaching. One by one they touched down, as if a new babe safe in its mother's arms. “

Photo Courtesy of Bill Cummings

Contributors

Vernon Anderson Dave Broeker Jack Caldwell John Crabb

Tommy Cockroft Fred Cobb Benjamin Cox Bill Cummings

Gil Cymballlis Dick Frost H. L. Hartford Larry Haynie

Frank McKinley Mike Monger Carl Newcomb John O'Donnell

Greig Parker Janie Steinmasel Thomas Swartz Jim Watson

Larry Zacker

U-Tapao RTAB Dogs of U-Tapao Handlers of U-Tapao

Thai Handlers of U-Tapao History of U-Tapao Attack on U-Tapao

The Kennels The Gift Handlers Circa 1969-71

Reunion of Handlers Stars & Stripes Articles

Southern Star Stories Southern Star 2

Links of Interest To Non-VSPA Internet Pages

635th K-9 U-Tapao K9 Website, History, & Extensive Photos

U-Tapao Air Base Personal Website Red Horse Bangkok News

U-Tapao AB U-Tapao AB Page U-Tapao AB Page

Arc Light 1967 Linebacker II USAF History in Thailand

USAF Bases Memorial Nemo Death of a Warrior

Learn your dog's fate! New Military Dog?

Chemical Exposure Testicular Cancer Risk?

Adoption: Adopting Dogs Adopting Handlers

Bulletin Boards: K-9 Issues Chemical Exposure

Submit stories/photos Links of Interest

VSPA is an association for USAF Vietnam War Veterans who served in Vietnam or Thailand from 1960-1975, as Air Police / Security Police or as an Augmentee. Visit the main pages for information on joining.

Page Last Updated : Saturday March 06, 2010