Note the color of the barrels - Orange. Good work covering up DoD. It was a modified version of the F-4C, designed in parallel with the F-105G Wild Weasel program. [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. Hit enter to expand a main menu option (Health, Benefits, etc). They included a hospital, some barracks and some warehouses for equipment that was flown in using the existing runway. HHC USARSUPTHAI G-3 Section [2], The host unit was the 44th Engineer Group (Construction), part of the 9th Logistics Command. 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. [3], After a series of TDY deployments of F-105s to Korat, on 14 March 1966 the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing was activated and on 8 April was organised to replace the provisional PACAF 6234th TFW which was inactivated.[16]. The plane landed on the highway between Korat and Khon Kaen, closer to Khon Kaen . No one recognizes this place only the air force bases, I wish I was there. The report is 90 page evaluation of the use of herbicides in Thailand. It may sound full of hokey pokey, but it's the truth. I was stationed at NKP Thailand in 1968. 2023 Dates & Rates; Immediately after the news broke of the use of Thai bases to support the Mayaguez rescue the Thai Government lodged a formal protest with the US and riots broke out outside the US Embassy in Bangkok. Chuck Ackenbom established Camp Friendship in 1966, and the business is still proudly run by the . Ammunition Depot which was a few miles from the base, it also was sprayed Attorney. Korat RTAFB detailing areas of the base near the perimeter, Map showing the location of Camp Friendship, Map showing the Cantonment area of Camp Friendship, Map of the Flight Line at Several veterans services organizations told Military Times their analysts are comparing the old list, which dates to September, 2018 and was published by the Government Accountability Office in November, 2018, and the new version. [4]:115. Sorry to hear of your battle with skin cancer. Benjamin Krause is a lawyer, investigative reporter and award-winning veterans advocate. in Thailand. Prichard said locations where exposure occurred under conditions already granted presumption of exposure such as Vietnam and the Korean DMZ were not included on this list. the Royal Thai Air Force Base side of Bangkok International Airport, more 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. Anyhow, these early times of modern Thailand can still be found today, especially on the Isaan and even in BKK too where I lived. [19]:85, The high attrition rate of F-105Ds in Southeast Asian operations soon became a problem. US Embassy Attache Office (DS) 1964-65 593rd EN Company, Construction 6/1963-8/1963 597th MAINT Company, Direct Support 1966-69 697th EN The annual cost for base operations and maintenance was about US$12,000,000. Sign with the 9th Logistics Command Logo, Camp Friendship was next to the "kiwi bird" stenciled on it. There are many other CHECO reports, but this is the missing link between use of Agent Orange and Thailand. My dad was over in Thailand on an Air Force base, I dont know which one but he said they would go to the beach. [30], Its mission was to build roads and a support (logistics) network in support of US Army and USAF operations in Thailand by executing the troop construction portion of the military construction program, performing engineer reconnaissance, and accomplishing civil action projects as resources permitted. He recently received the benefits he so deserved, after fighting the VA for 6 years. have hearing loss. Thank you to those who posted this declassified document, without whose help this would not have been possible. He is author of the guideVoc Rehab Survival Guide for Veterans and chief editor of DisabledVeterans.org. I was stationed at Udorn AB 432ND supply, handled 55 gallon drums containing who knows what. Editors note: This story was updated to include further input from the Department of Defense. ITINERARY. * Memories of Camp Friendship * The squadron had a minimum of two aircraft airborne 24 hours a day directing and coordinating the effective employment of tactical air resources throughout Southeast Asia. Some TDY personnel from the 354th TFW were assigned to the 388th and placed on permanent party status. Activist. DOD will continue to be responsive to the needs of our interagency partners in all matters related to taking care of both current and former service members. Government Accountability Office and Agent Orange, a new list of locations outside Vietnam where herbicides like Agent Orange were tested and stored, VA disputes science panels findings on proposed Agent Orange diseases; decision not expected until late 2020. old list, which dates to September, 2018 and was published by the Government Accountability Office in November, 2018, one of the 14 diseases listed as Agent Orange-related conditions, 90,000 blue water Vietnam veterans in line for disability benefits after Justice officials drop appeal, MCPON: Sailors need speedier, easier access to counseling, Hangmans nooses targeting sailor found aboard Norfolk-based destroyer, Tricare now covers new costly insulin device for Type 1 diabetics, Baby on-board? The Daily Reporter mistakenly concluded the DoD declassified the document recently when it was actually declassified in 1989 but only released recently by the agency. Political considerations with regards to the communist threat led the Thai government to allow the United States to covertly use five Thai bases for the air defense of Thailand and to fly reconnaissance flights over Laos under a "gentleman's agreement" with the United States. Ironically it was approved for PTSD, not AO Never received a ruling on that, 100% trumps everything. The American withdrawal had quickly revealed to the Thai Government the inadequacy of its air force in the event of a conventional war in Southeast Asia. Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. 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. My 196667 photos on base and off base action. Normally, it included 12 members working in nine different specialties. With these re-organizations, the 44th TFS possessed both D and F model Thunderchiefs. Camp Friendship closed as a separate facility in 1971 and much of the facility was turned over to the Royal Thai Army. The wing's efforts merited the Presidential Unit Citation in March 1968. 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. Yet. Dew to extreme back-log of DRO appeals completion dates can not be given out. 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. As a service to veterans, I ran the linked PDF of theCHECO Reportthrough OCR software before reposting it here. 4 Photo Credits: MSG Otto Uebel, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in northeast Thailand, approximately 200km (125mi) northeast of Bangkok and about 4km (2.5mi) south of the centre of the city of Nakhon Ratchasima in the Nakhon Ratchasima Province (also known as "Khorat" or "Korat"), the largest province in Thailand. [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. The F-111s were sent to the 422d Fighter Weapons Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The Department of Defense has released a new list of locations outside Vietnam where herbicides like Agent Orange were tested and stored, a compilation that could provide some veterans proof of exposure needed to support their VA disability claims. Maintenance of the facilities at other bases abandoned by the United States (Ubon, Udorn) proved too costly and exceeded Thai needs and were turned over to the Department of Civil Aviation for civil use. No family history of pd. 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. [4]:53 In mid-1965 this unit was redesignated Detachment 4 38th Air Rescue Squadron. Korat, Thailand (1963) Sign with the 9th Logistics Command Logo, Camp Friendship was next to the RTAF AB. Lao. They remained until 10 October 1972 when they returned to Korea. U.S. Army Veteranswho provided perimeter security on RTAF bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. On 30 June 1975, the 347th TFW F-111As and the 428th and 429th TFS were inactivated. Here is the List of the Top 100 VA Employee Salaries, Voc Rehab Workarounds for Veterans with Degrees, Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure, VA Public Health Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure. - U.S. Army (Retired), U.S. Army General Lincoln making a presentation to the King DoD and VA confounded the document by not running it through word recognition software, so it is not quickly searchable by veterans or the internet. Lieutenant Colonel Middleton was leaving and . On 23 April 1967, the 421st TFS was re-designated the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron. thanks Joan Williams. With the political changes in the US during 1974, and the resignation of President Nixon, the air power of the United States at its Thailand bases did not respond to the collapse of the Lon Nol government to the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia during April 1975 nor to the takeover of Laos by the Pathet Lao. The Wild Weasel concept was originally proposed in 1965 as a method of countering the increasing North Vietnamese SAM threat, using volunteer crews. Thats the attitude of many veterans trying to get into, Read More Voc Rehab Workarounds for Veterans with DegreesContinue. File in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format, about 2.6 meg in size. It remained at Korat, supporting Operation Linebacker, Operation Linebacker II and other USAF operations, until 1 June 1974, when it returned to McClellan AFB, California. In mid-1968 it was decided to make the 388th an F-4 wing, and also to equip the 388th with the new F-4E and the F-105s would be transferred to Takhli and all of the F-105s in the fighter-bomber mission would be consolidated there. CAVC agrees with CCK's arguments based on herbicide exposure in Thailand. Copyright 2002-2020 us-seasia. I have just recently become aware of the exposure to agent orange during my tour of duty there 73-74 and have also filed a claim for compensation. With the closure of Takhli RTAFB the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing and 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron each equipped with the F-111 were moved to Korat on 12 July 1974. Last year I was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease. area near the Weapons Storage and Maintenance Area at Ubon RTAFB, Map of the The squadron was redesignated the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron on 1 December 1971. Day 2 - Bangkok City Tour & Phuket Transfer. The F-5Es were accompanied by training teams of American civilian and military technicians, who worked with members of the RTAF. A detachment of 1 UH-1H Iroquois helicopters from 203 Squadron, Wing 2 is also based at Korat. and Bangkok International Airport (Vietnam era), while landing at 41 Squadron RNZAF New Zealand Bristol Freighters. R. at 996. As of now, health wise I suffer arthritis, a stent in my heart, none of which is on the illness of AO. Built new barracks fight on the fence line, or 9-10 feet. The US was helping the Royal Lao Government achieve whatever advantage possible before working out a settlement with the Pathet Lao and their allies. The location must have been a DoD installation, land under control of DoD or a non-DoD location where service members were present during testing, application, transportation or storage. These airmen rotated on 179-day assignments (the limit for TDY assignments) to Korat from these continental United States bases until early 1974. 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. The 354th TFW Forward Echelon at Korat also became a composite wing. The conversion of USAFE units to the F-4D Phantom enabled some of the European-based F-105Ds to be transferred to Southeast Asia, but this was not sufficient to offset the heavy attrition rate. Commando Scrimmage covered skills such as dogfighting, aerial refuelling, airborne command posts and forward air controllers. MED Battalion, HHD Medical Support 1966-68 442nd Signal Battalion 1967-71 501st Field Depot The battle staff was divided into four functional areas: command, operations, intelligence, and communications. Thai air police controlled access to the bases, along with USAF Security Police, who assisted them in base defense using sentry dogs, observation towers, and machine gun bunkers. Do you possibly remember him? Come camp with us! the location of Udorn RTAFB, Map of B-52 Ramp, NE Quadrant U-Tapao RTAFB with Thirty-eight F-5E and F-5F Tiger II fighter-bombers formed the nucleus of the RTAF's defense and tactical firepower. including the Herbicide/Agent Orange Drift Zone, Map of the Munitions The 554th RS transferred to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB to operate QU-22 Baby Bats, while the 553rd RS remained at Korat with 11 Batcats until December 1971, when it returned to Otis AFB, Massachusetts. The 388th Tactical Fighter Wing used those parts of Camp Friendship for overflow of personnel assigned or deployed to it until the USAF turned Korat Air Base over to the RTAF in early 1976.[30]. According to DoD spokesman Chuck Prichard, the new list replaces the one from 2018 and is the result of DoDs thorough review of the records for use, storage and testing of Agent Orange and other tactical herbicides outside of Vietnam.. - starhq Resources and Information. [2], The USAF mission at Korat RTAFB began in April 1962, when one officer and 14 airmen were temporarily assigned to the existing base as the joint US Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG). The USAF would be able to airlift the division into Korat where they could pick up their equipment and move into battle. I could see the farmers looking up and the 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. A letter from the director, 03/13/2017. of the Cantonment area of Don Muang RTAFB, further details of the of the Cantonment area of Don Muang RTAFB, details of the of the Cantonment area of Don Muang RTAFB in PDF format, of Don Muang RTAFB The 354th Tactical Fighter Wing ended its rotating deployments to Korat on 23 May 1974 and returned its A-7D squadrons (353rd and 355th TFS) and aircraft to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base. On 2 April 1972, an EB-66C Bat 21 was shot down over South Vietnam near the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone during the Easter Offensive. They were not Wild Weasel aircraft, since they did not have the means to attack radar installations directly. The Department of Veterans Affairs concluded that only veterans that were by base perimeters should receive acknowledgment of Agent Orange exposure. Do you have USARSUPTHAI, CAMP FRIENDSHIP, KORAT, THAILAND Reunion information you'd like to share Relive & share the memories of your service time with your brothers & sisters in arms today. Mac. In February 2003, the veteran married the . - Courtesy of 738th Engr Co in Feb'63 313th Transportation Company TC This needs reconciliation for folks like your dad and everyone else that are victims these cover ups and lies.We were all just doing what we were asked to do. In July 1964, approximately 500 airmen and officers were deployed to begin construction, and the completion of essential base facilities was completed by October 1964, although due to its primitive nature, the air force living area was known for several years as "Camp Nasty" in counterpoint to the Army facility at Camp Friendship. 1966-71 256th AG Company Personnel 1967-71 Please view the image below showing positively that barrels of Agent Orange were stored at Korat RTAFB. [5]:269. Korat RTAFB Showing the perimeter and the herbicide/Agent Orange Drift Zone, Data Block for the Official Department of Lived in a hootch built directly on the perimeter wire. 720th MP Battalion 877-222-8387, TDD (Hearing Impaired) I have Parkinsons etc Why only the air force bases? USARSUPTHAI CE DivisionUSASTRATCOM SIG Battalion Don Muang Royal Thai Air Force, LINEBACKER II map of B-52's from Andersen AFB, Guam and Utapao RTAFB, Thailand. Day 4 - Phuket Day Tour. The USAF officially turned Korat over to the Thai Government on 26 February 1976. In the suppression role, AGM-45 Shrike missiles were employed to destroy, or at least harass, the SA-2 and/or fire control radar which guided the SA-2 missiles. Long Lines Battalion [4]:139, On 1415 May 1975, aircraft assigned to Korat provided air cover in what is considered the last battle of the Vietnam war, the recovery of the SS Mayaguez after it was hijacked by the Khmer Rouge. This is the highest resolution map I have of Korat RTAFB. Day 1 - Bangkok Airport Pickup + Khaosan Road. For example, they were unable to carry the standard ARM. In February 1973, after the end of combat operations in Vietnam, the 67th TFS with its EF-4C Wild Weasels were withdrawn and returned to Kadena. His name was John Madden. I was stationed at Nam Phone the rose garden. Building Site Southside Camp Friendship by Mark Olson 3 Suwan, Mark Olson & Thai Labor by Mark Olson Suwan & Mark Olson by Mark Olson Thai Labor by Mark Olson Tong & Art Woodward by Mark Olson Mark Olson . Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure VA presumes (assumes) exposure to Agent Orange for Veterans who served on any U.S. or Royal Thai military base in Thailand from January 9, 1962, through June 30, 1976. The U.S. Army had enough quarters and stockpiled equipment to support an infantry battle group, eg, the 25th Infantry Division stationed in Hawaii - if they were ever needed. My Father also served at Bang Pla from 68 to 70. Det. A-7 and F-4s from Korat flew strike missions sometimes less than 16km (10mi) from Phnom Penh that morning before the cutoff. - U.S. Army Veterans who were stationed on some small Army installations in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975. However, the Army Veteran must have been a member of a military police (MP) unit or was assigned an MP military occupational specialty whose dutyplaced him/her at or near the base perimeter. Aerial photograph of Korat RTAFB, 23 July 1987, 6234th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional), 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing, 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron, 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, "History of US Army Support Command Thailand (USARSUPTHAI)", "Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Historical Brief", YGBSM "The Story Of The First U.S. SAM-Hunters in Vietnam", "7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron", "U.S. to begin pullout of troops from Thailand", Vietnam Order of Battle Shelby L. Stanton, "44th Engineer Group inactivation orders, January, 1970", USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers1908 to present, Photos Of Camp Friendship US Army Support Command, Thailand. Forty-three pilots and electronic warfare officers (EWO) were listed as killed (KIA) or missing in action (MIA). The unit was dissolved on 1 April being temporarily redesignated Detachment 4, 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group before being redesignated as the 56th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron on 8 July and absorbing the HH-43 detachment at Korat. Would you like to make this site your homepage? The army was engaged in the construction of Camp Friendship. B-52 Ramp and Asset Perimeter Wires at U-Tapao RTAFB, Map 9 - driving I need to contact and receive a buddy statement from any army member that was stationed on Camp Friend Ship Thailand 1967 with the signal Bn that had to work and walk perimeter guard. In case VA ever decides to remove the page, I made a PDF copy of it here, as well: VA Public Health Thailand Military Bases and Agent Orange Exposure. On 17 April, the USAF flew its last mission over Laos, attacking a handful of targets requested by the Laotian government. USARSUPTHAI The above photo was taken during 1968. I stumbled across a report on the internet about bases in Thailand being sprayed with AO. You will now be able to tab or arrow up or down through the submenu options to access/activate the submenu links. Unclassified 5 years after his death. VA says the following military personnel are now included in the list of those possibly exposed to the toxins: Vietnam-era Veterans whose service involved duty on or near the perimeters of military bases in Thailand anytime between February 28, 1961 and May 7, 1975 may have been exposed to herbicides and may qualify for VA benefits. 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. I was in the USB Seabees mcb-5 may 1972 we built the rose garden for the Marines. Like This Movie Trailer? * Memories of Camp Friendship * Comm Long Lines Battalion Office Thai workers: Dang, Panee & Boontharik Click on the Guestbook Below to Add Your Name DCA DCSSPO HHC 9th Logistics HHC USARSUPTHAI The mission of the Wild Weasels was to eliminate SAM sites in North Vietnam. Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. [29], Camp Friendship was the home of Headquarters, United States Army Support, Thailand (USARSUPTHAI), part of the Army Military Assistance Command Thailand (MACTHAI). Welcome to Camp Friendship! The final day marked the conclusion of an intense 160-day campaign, during which the USAF expended 240,000 tons of bombs. The VA omitted pages from its version and did a poor job of scanning it. File in PNG (Portable Network Graphics) format, about 2.6 meg in size. We lived in severe poverty because dad was so sick and couldnt work. The F-4 and A-7 aircraft practiced bombing and intercept missions in western Thailand. Having difficult time finding anything about USMACTHAI/JUSMAGTHAI and agent orange exposure. USARSUPTHAI On 25 April 1966 the United States Army Support Command, Thailand was activated on Okinawa and elements began deploying to Thailand on 17 October with the rear detachment closing on Camp Friendship on 15 November 1966. 102 Squadron flies 15 F-16A-15ADF and one F-16B-15ADF Fighting Falcon air defense airplanes acquired from the USAF and delivered to the RTAF in 2003 and 2004. GSP-304 African American-Thai Child, Born: 1969 (2512) GSP-329 Search for Son, Born: 1970 (2513) GSP-476 Search for Daughter African American-Thai, Born: 1965 (2508) *Note: Camp Friendship . 1. [5]:1967 The mission gradually evolved with the addition of new weapons and ECM equipment until the F-4 replaced the F-100 and the F-105D was replaced by the more capable and specialized two-place F-105F and G models. With the GAO report, DoD compelled to come up with a more comprehensive list, not go back and revise what they already confirmed.. [3], On 22 December 1967 President Lyndon Johnson visited Korat RTAFB, spending the night at the base. [3] The army retained a portion of the aircraft parking ramp for logistical support of Camp Friendship. 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. Many others werent that fortunate. CCK argued, and the Court agreed, that the Board failed to provide an adequate statement of reasons or bases for finding the Veteran's lay testimony regarding service along the perimeter of Camp Friendship incredible. Meltal Shipping Containers near the perimeter at Ubon RTAFB, Annotated Photo of the Defoiliated [30] Joined by Company C in the later part of May, construction continued. Also included is the narrated film \"There Is a Way\" focusing on F-105 pilots of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing and their missions over North Vietnam. In March 1973 A-7D aircraft were drawn from the deployed 354th TFW squadrons and assigned to the 388th TFW as the 3d Tactical Fighter Squadron. [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. The new Phantom squadron, the first E-models in Thailand, retained the designation 469th TFS. [3], In mid-June 1964 2 HU-16s of the 33d Air Rescue Squadron were deployed to Korat to act as airborne rescue control ships in support of Yankee Team bombing operations over Laos. Join Your Unit Today Join VetFriends To: Reunite with Unit Buddies Browse Military Units Post Unit Messages Great Discounts & More! He received his Bachelors from Northwestern University and Law Degree from the University of Minnesota, both using VA Veteran Readiness and Employment. For Parents; For Campers; For Staff; COVID-19; Blog; Login; Find Your Way. Army Aviation 270th Transportation Detachment, USARSUPTHAI, 9th Logistical CommandPhoto by Spec.5 Wayne Eusanio. This office was in the same boat, over a year ago, and has locked down all of Florida! All my pictures melted ( polaroid), had some great ones. I will keep at it though. In November 1970, the 553d RW was inactivated. 46th Special Forces (SF) Find Camp friendship images dated from 1992 to 2020. Combat reconnaissance missions of the 552d resumed on 25 November 1967. Its aircraft functioned as a direct extension of ground-based command and control authorities, the primary mission was providing flexibility in the overall control of tactical air resources.
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