Many others werent that fortunate. Attention A T users. His name was John Madden. And while the new list contains six locations in Thailand, it adds a new clarification to those locations descriptions: No herbicide was sprayed in Thailand.. [4]:154. Day 6 - Transfer to Phi Phi Island! 720th MP Battalion perimeter near the Weapons Storage and Maintenance facility at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Munitions HHD B 9th Log CommandHQ 809th Engineer Battalion Lt Col. Iceal Hambleton was the only crewmember able to eject, which set into motion an 11 1/2-day search and rescue operation. Do a search for herbicides be pressing Control+F and then typing in the word. Go to https://www.militaryvideo.com/ to purchase the. R. at 1523. Sign with the 9th Logistics Command Logo, Camp Friendship was next to the FYI, here's a photo I took early 1964 before the USAF showed up to fill in the gap between Camp Friendship and the airbase. In August, the main portion of Company C was moved to Sakon Nakon where it built a troop cantonment area, a special forces camp, and a POL tank farm at Nakom Phanom (NKP) in support of the air force. [4] They would remain at Korat until June 1965 when they were moved to Udorn RTAFB and then to Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam and replaced at Korat by HC-54s. As a service to veterans, I ran the linked PDF of theCHECO Reportthrough OCR software before reposting it here. But veterans with one of the 14 diseases listed as Agent Orange-related conditions who were exposed outside Vietnam face the burden of proving exposure. 28th Signal Company31st MED Field Hospital 1962-70 It was a separate facility which pre-dated Korat RTAFB. in Thailand. 1,000 feet above the ground. There are many other CHECO reports, but this is the missing link between use of Agent Orange and Thailand. the Royal Thai Air Force Base side of Bangkok International Airport, more Laos and Cambodia, however, were not signatories to the Paris agreement and remained in states of war. From DoD: CHECO Report. The 44th TFS returned to Kadena AB, Okinawa and assignment to the 18th TFW, but on 31 December 1966, it became only a paper organization without aircraft. It was called theProject CHECO Report. [2], The host unit was the 44th Engineer Group (Construction), part of the 9th Logistics Command. In early 1966, standard F-105Ds with no special electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment accompanied F-100 Wild Weasel I aircraft equipped with basic ECM equipment. Later that month, the 16th Special Operations Squadron equipped with AC-130 Spectre gunships was moved to Korat from Ubon RTAFB.[26]. That is, until now. US Embassy Attache Office Camp Friendship was adjacent to the Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) about 160 miles north of Bangkok.My stay here was basically an overnight one. This office J M Boor runs, and signed this letter, seem nobody cares about AGENT ORANGE SPRAYED BABY BOOMERS, let them die, our problem is solved now. - U.S. Army (Retired), U.S. Army General Lincoln making a presentation to the King Camp Friendship Korat, Thailand 1968-1969 Show more . providing sovereign territory use by our military personnel in support of the Vietnam War [4]:70, In December 1964, the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Korat from Kadena AB, Okinawa. VA presumes (assumes) exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans who served on any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailandfrom January 9, 1962, throughJune 30, 1976. Editors note: This story was updated to include further input from the Department of Defense. - Courtesy of 738th Engr Co in Feb'63 The above photo was taken during 1968. U.S. Army Camp Friendship, Korat Royal Thai Air Force base, ThailandAugust 1969 Lawn PlantingU.S. I was stationed at Udorn AB 432ND supply, handled 55 gallon drums containing who knows what. On 12 June 1972, the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying F-4Ds was deployed from the 3rd TFW, Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, in a "Constant Guard" redeployment to support operations over North Vietnam during Operation Linebacker. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. In Thailand, he was assigned Camp Friendship at Korat Royal Thai Air Base. [2] Under the agreement, United States forces using Thai air bases were commanded by Thai officers. Pregnant Air Force B-1 pilot soars to new heights, Army artillery officer dies during assignment in Thailand, Tax scams How to report them Money Minute, Capitol Hill weighs action on two controversial topics: medical marijuana and abortion, Lockheed wins hypersonics contract | Defense Dollars, Go inside a secret nuclear fallout bunker sealed for decades, Veterans Affairs deputy secretary to leave post on April 1, US increases military support for Somalia against al-Shabab, Air Force advisers study use of satellites for tracking moving targets, US Air Force awards Boeing first contract for fleet of 26 E-7 aircraft. A detachment of 1 UH-1H Iroquois helicopters from 203 Squadron, Wing 2 is also based at Korat. In addition, to maintain positive control of air operations, the 7th ACCS provided communications to higher headquarters. The EF-4Cs suffered from certain deficiencies which limited their combat effectiveness. I have provided letters to this affect to several former buddies who have been approved for exposure to Agent Orange. The following 4 links contain photos taken by Bob Freitag and others that were the first photos on the original web site. The APO for Korat RTAFB was APO San Francisco, 96288, The first USAF units at Korat were under the command of the US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). Worked on flight line. 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-105D) remained on TDY at Korat until 15 November 1965 when it was permanently assigned to the 6234th. In addition to the F-5E and F-5F fighter-bombers, OV-10C counter-insurgency aircraft, transports, and helicopters were added to the RTAF inventory. According to Prichard, locations were selected or deleted based on criteria including the existence of an official record, to include government reports, forms, unit histories, shipping logs, contracts, scientific reports or photographs. I was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease (PD) in 2004 and filed my claim in 2005. Detachment one, REDHORSE CES, attached to this thirty plus unit. They included a hospital, some barracks and some warehouses for equipment that was flown in using the existing runway. The initial College Eye support team personnel arrived at Korat on 20 September 1967. [3], In March 1967 F-105s from the 388th TFW carried out the first attacks on North Vietnam's Thi Nguyn ironworks, destroying its power plant on 16 March. It was re-equipped with F-4Es on 5 July. On 23 April 1967 the 44th TFS's primary mission became one of flying escort to the wing's regular strike force to suppress AAA and SAM fire as a Wild Weasel squadron. there, 64-65, do you have a attorney? Ultimately, the North Vietnamese invasion of South Vietnam during March and April 1975 and the collapse of the Republic of Vietnam also was not opposed militarily by the US. Support 1965-71 9th Logistical Command HHD Logistics Support 1963-70 9th Logistics Pad 55/56 13th MP Company, Air strikes by the USAF peaked just before the deadline, as the Khmer National Armed Forces engaged a force of about 10,000 Khmer Rouge encircling Phnom Penh. . There were all types of different banded drums full of herbicides that the local nationals sprayed around all the buildings, the basketball courts, and the fences. The detachment returned to its main unit at Korat and the 44th TFS was returned to Korat in September 1970 from the 355th TFW to the 388th TFW when the decision was made to consolidate the units of the Wild Weasel mission. [4]:125. Got promoted to E5 with promo party at . Cope Tiger involves air forces from the United States, Thailand, and Singapore, as well as U.S. Marine Corps aircraft deployed from Japan. The mission of the Wild Weasels was to eliminate SAM sites in North Vietnam. I could see the farmers looking up and the The statement is in direct opposition to Defense Department documents that explicitly state herbicides were sprayed in Thailand in the early 1970s to protect bases from counterinsurgency attacks. water buffalo scattering. Find Camp friendship images dated from 1992 to 2020. By the late 1980s, Korat, Takhli, and Don Muang RTAFB outside Bangkok, which was shared with civil aviation, were the primary operational holdings of the RTAF. The EC-121Ds provided airborne radar coverage and surveillance in support of aircraft flying combat operations. 590th Supply & Service (DS)590th QM Company Keep going. A letter from the director, 03/13/2017. Camp Friendship Reactionary Force - 1967 [This was sent in by Ron Bookwalter (HHD 519th TC] I am working on updating the individual history of other units, documenting their time in Thailand. Samae San Camp, Thai Marine Corps Base US Army base built late 1960's in support of Thailand to keep it free of Communist. The flying training portion of the exercise promotes closer relations and enables air force units in the region to sharpen air combat skills and practice interoperability with US forces. It sounds like a uphill battle. On 10 May 1969, the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron was transferred organizationally to the 347th TFW at Yokota AB, Japan, but it remained attached to the 388th TFW at Korat. USARSUPTHAI CE DivisionUSASTRATCOM SIG Battalion [3][16], Also on 15 May, an F-4C Phantom II squadron, the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron[17] and an F-105F squadron, the 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron[18] were deployed and permanently attached to the 388th from the 347th TFW, Yokota AB, Japan and Kadena AB, Okinawa. While VA, Read More Only VA Impressed With VA Restructuring PlanContinue, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print After having three heads of VA this past decade be past West Point grads,, Read More MMQB: What might West Point do with Your Disability?Continue, Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Print VA is always quite secretive about VA employee salaries. [3], The 6234th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) was activated in April 1965 as part of the 2d AD with Colonel William D. Ritchie, Jr. as commander. All rights reserved. More than 1,100 people participate, including approximately 500 US service members and 600 service members from Thailand and Singapore. An expansion of combat operations from Korat initiated with the arrival of EC-121 Warning Stars of the College Eye Task Force (later designated Det 1, 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing) from Ubon RTAFB and EC-121R Batcats of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing. But Ryan Gallucci, director of National Veterans Service for the Veterans of Foreign Wars, said the new list does not live up to the guidance and recommendations of the GAO report., We have a lot of questions two specific locations that GAO identified arent included on DoDs new list and certain ones that seemingly had verified spraying on the old list are now off the list, Gallucci said. 281st MP Company291st Transportation Company TC 103 Squadron flies eight F-16A and four F-16B acquired under the code name "Peace Naresuan I", five F-16A (of six delivered) under the code name "Peace Naresuan XI", and three F-16A and four F-16Bs acquired from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and delivered in late 2004. We tore down the jungle to build the base, the perimeter and everything else. It's why Camp Friendship was founded and what we are all about. 807 Maine Ave., SW Washington, D.C. 20024 Phone (202) 554-3501 Fax (202) 863-0233 www.dav.org ISSUE BRIEF: Agent Orange in Thailand during Vietnam Era The army was engaged in the construction of Camp Friendship. Please switch auto forms mode to off. 2023 Dates & Rates; During the Vietnam War, from 1962 to 1975, Korat RTAFB was a front-line facility of the United States Air Force (USAF) in Thailand. Unclassified 5 years after his death. along the perimeter of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 10 - the Recreation and Beach R. at 1510, 1642. Det. Various Japanese facilities were used by the RTAF (including the airfield control tower) until the 1960s. The origins of Korat Air Base dates back to the Japanese Occupation of Thailand during World War II. At Korat, two A-7D pilots from the 354th TFW returned from flying the last USAF combat mission over Cambodia. 4 Photo Credits: MSG Otto Uebel, Thank you for your service My husband served in USAF at Udorn. area on the South section of U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 11 - the routes taken My 196667 photos on base and off base action. [15], In 1965, the 6234th TFW and its subordinate units operating F-100s, F-105s, and F-4Cs flew 10,797 sorties totalling 26,165 hours. Note the color of the barrels - Orange. of Veterans Affairs' feet to the fire. The EC-130s and personnel of 7th ACCS were transferred to the 374th Tactical Airlift Wing at Clark Air Base, Philippines on 22 May 1974. Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Map of the Flight Line, perimeter In September 1992, the veteran was diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, type II. He received his Bachelors from Northwestern University and Law Degree from the University of Minnesota, both using VA Veteran Readiness and Employment. 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