Tan Son Nhut Air Base: 377th APS, Sapper Attack! by: Joe McNeil, 600th Photo Sq. 4 Dec. 1966.

Sapper Attack!
December 4, 1966
377th Air Police Squadron, Tan Son Nhut, RVN
by Joe McNeil , LM 50
TSN, 6250 APS, 377th APS, 7th AF HQ
© 2009 Official USAF 600th Photo Squadron In Vietnam

On Dec 4, 1966 Tan Son Nhut AB received 33 rounds during a Stand Off and Sapper attack.
Casualties: US KIA 3, WIA 15, RVN KIA 3, WIA 4, and with 20 aircraft damaged.
NVA/VC KIA: 28, POW 4.

377th APS, Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, 1966-1967

While reading Bill Trimble's story, I recalled that I had numerous pictures from that 4 Dec 1966 sapper attack which I received from a “friend” in the 600th photo unit. The 12 photos from the sapper attack were taken by USAF combat photographers during the operations. The original photos are 8 X 10 black and white. They are all black and white and depict our “sweeps” “Viet Cong weapons recovered” and morgue photos of VC killed in the action.

I have no caveats on these photos that I am aware of. Photos are all from the USAF 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam, which did all the PR photos for the press corp. I know they were checked by someone before I left the country as there were marks on my photo album that weren’t there when I packed.

All photographs are by Official USAF combat photographers, 600th Photo Squadron,
during or following the Sapper Attack at Tan Son Nhut AB, 4 Dec. 1966.

1. Photo above: 377th Security Police form a scrmish line to search for hiding sappers. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.
1. Photo above: 377th Air Police form a skirmish line to search for hiding sappers.
2. Photo below. Close up

2. Close up: Photo above: 377th Security Police form a scrmish line to search for hiding sappers. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.

3. 377th APS Airmen search scrub brush and holes for VC and NVA sappers.

4.377th APS Airmen prepare to cross a gully stream, search for VC and NVA sappers.

5. 377th APS Airmen crossing a gully stream, searching for VC and NVA sappers.

6. 377th APS Airmen crossing a gulley stream, searching for VC and NVA sappers. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.
What's a little water... ?
6. 377th APS Airmen crossing a gully stream, searching for VC and NVA sappers.

7. 377th APS Airmen search scrub brush, concealing-structures, and holes for VC and NVA sappers.

8. Photo Above: 377th APS Airmen search perimeter fields, scrub brush,
heavy foliage and forest for concealed VC and NVA sappers.
9. Photo below: Close Up.

9. Close up below: 377th APS Airmen search perimeter fields, scrub brush, heavy foialage and forest for concealed VC and NVA sappers. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.

10. 377th APS Airmen search scrub brush and holes for VC and NVA sappers.

11. Photo above: 377th APS Airmen prepare to cross another stream, searching for VC and NVA sappers. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.
11. Photo above: 377th APS Airmen prepare to cross another stream, searching for VC and NVA sappers.
12. and 13. Next two Photos: Close Ups.

12. USAF SP stands guard as patrol crosses stream. Photo below: 377th APS Airmen prepares to cross another stream, searching for VC and NVA sappers. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.

13. USAF SP crosses stream, searching for VC and NVA sappers. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.

14. NCO examines VC boots, discarded while fleeing. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.
14. Photo left:
NCO examines VC boots, discarded while fleeing.

15. Photo right: SPSs check out VC/NVA weapons cache displayed. 600th Photo Squadron, Vietnam.
15. Photo right:
SPSs check out VC/NVA
weapons cache displayed.

16. Photo right: VC/NVA weapons cache display

17. Photo right:
Major and NCOs examine
VC/NVA weapons cache

18. Battle damaged 377th Air Police Pickup Truck. Note: The busted gum-ball red light on top.