During the Vietnam War, the defense of Air Bases mirrored the conflict itself: There was no rear echelon once the entire country became a battlefield. Air Bases relatively, unaffected by ground forces in past wars, were no longer considered safe havens. They, too, suffered from costly ground assaults and mortar shelling.
Within easy reach of North Vietnamese troops, Air Bases in Vietnam and Thailand were attacked 478 times from 1964 to 1973. One hundred and fifty-five Americans were killed and 1,702 wounded, along with 375 allied aircraft being destroyed and 1,203 damaged. In fact, more U.S. planes were lost in ground action (101) than in dogfights with MIGs (62).
Bien Hoa Air Base, located 15 miles north of Saigon, was the first U.S. Air Base in Vietnam to taste the damage a small, well-trained force can inflict. A hit-and-run mortar attack destroyed five B-57 bombers and damaged 15 others. The Viet Cong, in less than five minutes, wiped out an entire squadron.
The attack hammered home a hard message. To fight in the air, the Air Force had to be able to fight on the ground." Above Published in AF Times
The primary mission of USAF units at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base was to conduct operations in support of U.S. commitments in Southeast Asia. The base was home of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. The base was assigned F-4E, F-105, RB-66 and C-130 aircraft. Other primary aircraft were the EC-121s of the College Eye Task. Force, 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, and HC-130s and HH-43s of Detachment 4, 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group. The Royal Thai Air Force 3rd Wing was the host unit at Korat, flying the UH-1H and H-34 helicopters. |
Korat Drug Dog Patch courtesy of Dannie Clay 1974-75.
Dannie handled Buck # V031 at Korat, RTAFB. The dog was shipped to Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines after the closure of Korat Air Base. Buck was known for his extra-large ears and his aggression towards Filipinos. At Clark, Buck was handled by my wife, SSgt Cathy Moore. In 1977, Buck was decertified as a drug dog due to his fear of aircraft. It was rumored that he had been injured on a aircraft. |
