|
|
U-Tapao,
Royal Thai Air Base
|
U Tapao Kennels: Circa Early 1970’s
Photo Courtesy of Vernon Anderson
Photo Above: Kennel Grooming Area , Courtesy of John Crabb
The 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. “
-
- U-Tapao Aerial Photo & Base Map
-
-
Click on Photos Above To Enlarge
-
- Patch Courtesy of Bill Cummings
[ Dogs of U-Tapao ] [ List of Handlers ] [ Thai Handlers of U-Tapao ] [ History ] [ The Gift ] [ Attack on U-Tapao ] [ Water Buffalo ] [ Dog School ] [ Handlers 69-70 & 71 ] [ U-T Reunions ] [ The Southern Star ] [ Star Continued ] [ Stars & Stripes ]
Agent
Orange in Thailand ?
Weekly Training Military
Dog History History in The
Pacific Theater 1st Patrol Dog Class
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
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
U-Tapao AB Page
U-Tapao
AB Page U-Tapao
AB Page
Arc
Light 1967 Linebacker
II Bangkok Post Newspaper
USAF
History in Thailand Mail The Webmaster
