Da Nang Air Base
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| Da Nang Air Base | |
|---|---|
| Name | Da Nang Air Base |
| Country | South Vietnam |
| Type | Air base |
| Controlledby | United States Air Force, South Vietnamese Air Force |
| Battles | Vietnam War |
Da Nang Air Base was a major air base located in Da Nang, South Vietnam, during the Vietnam War. The base was used by the United States Air Force and the South Vietnamese Air Force to conduct military operations against the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet Cong. The air base was strategically located near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), allowing for quick response to enemy movements. It was also close to other major military bases, including Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Kadena Air Base, and was supported by Seventh Air Force and Pacific Air Forces.
● History
The history of Da Nang Air Base dates back to the early 1960s, when it was first used by the French Air Force during the First Indochina War. After the Geneva Accords were signed in 1954, the base was taken over by the South Vietnamese Air Force. In 1964, the United States Air Force began to use the base, and it quickly became a major hub for military operations in South Vietnam. The base was used by a variety of units, including the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, and 37th Tactical Fighter Wing, which were supported by Third Air Force and Ninth Air Force. The air base was also used by other military branches, including the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army, which included the 1st Marine Division and the 101st Airborne Division.
● Geography and Layout
Da Nang Air Base was located in the Quảng Nam Province of South Vietnam, near the city of Da Nang. The base was situated on a coastal plain, with the South China Sea to the east and the Annamite Mountains to the west. The air base was surrounded by other military installations, including the Da Nang Naval Base and the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton-inspired Marble Mountain Air Facility. The base had two runways, which were used by a variety of aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom II, F-100 Super Sabre, and A-1 Skyraider, which were maintained by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. The air base was also equipped with a variety of support facilities, including hangars, fuel storage tanks, and Bureau of Yards and Docks-designed barracks, which were constructed by Bechtel and Halliburton.
● Operations and Units
Da Nang Air Base was used by a variety of units and conducted a range of military operations during the Vietnam War. The base was home to several United States Air Force wings, including the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing and the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, which were supported by Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve. The base was also used by South Vietnamese Air Force units, including the 1st Air Division and the 2nd Air Division, which were advised by Military Assistance Command, Vietnam and United States Pacific Command. The air base was used to conduct a range of missions, including close air support, air interdiction, and reconnaissance, which were coordinated with NATO and SEATO. The base was also used to support other military operations, including the Tet Offensive and the Easter Offensive, which involved the 1st Cavalry Division (United States) and the 101st Airborne Division.
● Notable Events
Da Nang Air Base was the site of several notable events during the Vietnam War. In 1965, the base was used as a staging area for the United States Marine Corps' Operation Starlite, which was supported by United States Navy and United States Coast Guard. In 1968, the base was attacked by the North Vietnamese Army during the Tet Offensive, which involved the Viet Cong and the People's Army of Vietnam. The base was also used to support the Operation Homecoming in 1973, which was coordinated with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations. The air base was visited by several notable figures, including President Lyndon B. Johnson, General William Westmoreland, and General Creighton Abrams, who were accompanied by Henry Kissinger and Robert S. McNamara.
● Closure and Legacy
Da Nang Air Base was closed in 1975, after the fall of Saigon and the reunification of North Vietnam and South Vietnam. The base was taken over by the Vietnamese People's Air Force and was used for a variety of purposes, including as a civilian airport. Today, the site of the former air base is home to the Da Nang International Airport, which is a major hub for commercial air travel in Vietnam. The legacy of Da Nang Air Base continues to be felt, with many veterans of the Vietnam War remembering their time at the base. The air base has also been the subject of several books and documentaries, including "The Vietnam War" by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, and "Da Nang Air Base: A History" by Robert F. Dorr. The base has been recognized by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, which provide support to veterans who served at the base.