Just before I left in July 70 I was banished to the holding area fuse shop. I brought up some issues to my local va clinic to have a paper trail for when the va review my claim, ill have some va doctor medical proof of my contact with agent orange. I hope to hear back from you and I will try to locate and download pics of my tour. The first six months, I like off base near the Cobra Pit. If I recall it seems this attack happen around midnight I know it was cloudy and very dark. Thanks for filling in the blanks. I served as an Electronics Warfare Technician from 70-71. Major Mack speaks about the 552nd Airborne Early Warning Control Wing, at Ubon Air Base in Thailand. Phantoms phorever. Major Mack talks about the strike crew's tasks. SOunds like a good story there! my website, posted about 12 years ago, is dedicated to our group, circa mid 1968 to mid 1969. It was also the only USAF base that ran opposite direction, single runway, air traffic; landing runway 23, departing runway 05. I have found an airman stationed at Ubon who worked on B57 has filed AO claim. William L Asbridge. Did not talk about it . Ubon was considered (by the USAF) to be a viable target and we worked a lot to ensure the perimeter was secure, especially after dark. Thai Air Force T 28, don't ever remember them doing much, buzz the flight line every now and then. Ive lost many of my best buddies in the army because of Agent Orange with cancer, diabetes,nerve damage, heart disease. I was there in 73 74 on the F4s as Egress. On the night of that Sapper attack in Jan 70, I was in the maintenance hangar that housed the ECM shop. Great pics of Ubon flight line, but where are the A/C-130s and 119s ? the attack only a passing reference in articles about the sapper attack on Udorn. The construction of U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield began in October, 1965 and was completed slightly more than two years later. Yellow alert, orange alert, red alert. If I recall it took place after the October mortar attack. Hes name was Bill. The 2 story cinder block barracks was brand new when I got there. Major Mack stands next to EC-121 aircraft (552nd AEWCW). No. I knew of the crew that launched the rocket,,forget their names now, Did you know a Bill Beasley he had bunk in the same room (call it that) as I was in, also had a bungalow in town. I was a 46250 specialist in the weapons release shop on the flight line. Apparently is has been removed but I kept a PDF copy. Thailand Ubon Air Base (2) Thakhet Laos (1) The Balkans Europe (1) The Hague Netherlands (1) Hi Dave, welcome and thanks for your memories. His name is Gilbert Sanchez About the golf course, we were looking at some of the pictures of the Ubon golf and he laughed and said our golf course did not have grass greens just compressed sand. http://www.memock.com/2009/11/02// Great stuff. Congressional pressure in Washington grew against these bombings, and on 30 June 1973, the United States Congress passed Public law PL 93-50 and 93-52, which cut off all funds for combat in Cambodia and all of Indochina effective 15 August 1973. memock @ westnet . reading your post brings back memories remember you and all the people you mention Just interested in knowing the details since it missed us at the gate by only 50 to 75 feet. My roomie and I lived on base 2 nights before we were in a bungalow downtown. And I am trying to find others who have same conditions. Thanks, Grant Hernandez. He played a great West Virginia guitar. This page has what maps I have obtained from others of the bases used by the USAF in Thailand during the Vietnam era. for some reason I thought they were all borrowed names from Ford Motor company. My husband is not pc savy so I will have to do it for him. Take Care Brother and you stay in touch and anyone else at Ubon during 72-73 as well. [13], On 10 March 1967 8th TFW F-4s took part in the first attacks on the Thi Nguyn ironworks, losing 2 F-4s to antiaircraft fire. Regards About Us | I am glad he did as like everyone who has provided this blog with information about old time Ubon it makes for compelling reading and viewing. The mission of No. 05; Chiang Mai AB runway No. I served in Ubon from june 62 to may 63. During the Vietnam War, about 80% of all USAF air strikes over North Vietnam originated from air bases in Thailand. For a few extra baht they would let us pedal them, they must have read Mark Twain. Well the Royal Australian Air Force domestic area was on the Eastern perimeter of the airbase. The ONLY info i have about Ubon is from you guys on this thread. EC-121 tail with Air Defense Command insignia. After crouching there for awhile I noticed I was shielding myself behind napalm that was on the aircraft. I have heart disease and cancer. That sound of the C130 of the C130 flying over head stuck in my head for a long time. Thanks for your help. The rice bugs were everywhere when they showed up in season, we picked five gallon buckets on them. Was the 435th the munitions squadron? John you arrived-1/70 the same time I left. I think he was serving in the end off the war, maybe in 74 or something ? Want to file a claim as I have kidney and likely lung cancer and want to get it on record for the benefit of my wife should anything happen so she can file for benefits. He talks about giving radar assistance to all friendly areas, providing border warning and emergency assistance. 79 Squadron did not, however, fly any operations over nearby Cambodia, South Vietnam, or Laos. I have nerve damage, and heart disease also. Ubon RTAFB was established in the 1950s. So many wonderful people out there with helping hands extended ! This page was last edited on 14 January 2023, at 00:18. Remember the good ole days of Thai Boxing at the NCO Club and waiting for my Crew while taking a break laying on Fat Albert as it hung on a wing pylon and to be delivered with kisses some where in the region.. This group is dedicated to the brotherhood of those who served at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base,Thailand during the Vietnam War. Detachment 17, 10th Weather Squadron (MAC), In mid-1965 Detachment 3, 38th Air Rescue Squadron equipped with 2 HH-43Bs deployed to Ubon to provide base search and rescue. [13]:1278, In May 1968, the wing was the first to use laser-guided bombs (LGBs) in combat and its Mig-Killers nickname was gradually replaced by Bridge-busters. Assigned to the 555th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the 'Triple Nickel', stationed at Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, then Capt. EC-121 Aircraft parked on ground at Ubon Air Base in Thailand during College Eye airborne radar surveillance mission. Task Force Delta, Nam Phong Thailand 1972-1973 33; Takhli AB runway No. I will ALWAYS believe all of us at Ubon during the VN war time were exposed to AO, I have Diabetes, heart trouble, memory loss, tremors and I have no family members with any and I also am blessed to still have both parents alive in their late 80s with memories a lot better than my own. My name is Christina Bienvenu Dawson, Baton Rouge, LA. Do you remember Mike Benka? John A. Madden Jr. on Sept 9, 1972, making him an . My father Lee Thompson was in the 408th MMS in Ubon Thailand from Feb 13th 1967 until Feb 6th 1971. He flew 78 combat missions into North Vietnam, many in the Hanoi/Haiphong area, and led a flight into the Bolo Mig sweep in which seven Communist Mig 21s were destroyed . I WAS ONLY STATIONED IN UBON 6 MONTHS IN 1972, BUT I MET THE LADY I HAVE BEEN MARRIED TO FOR 39 YEARS. thought this is not the safest place and high tailed it out of there. Thanks Grant. I was in FMS squadron, ejection seats (egress), cant remember the squadron number. [6] The 45th TFS was on Temporary duty assignment (TDY) from its permanent home at MacDill AFB, Florida. The attack was on the AC 130 end of the base. Is any one receiving disability benefits because of Agent Orange who were in Thailand 1968 and 1969. Also assigned to the wing was the 16th Special Operations Squadron, which flew the AC-130 gun ships. Radar technician checks equipment. I need any help I can get. As I read over these messages I realize my husband was very fortunate to have no physical illnesses from being stationed in Ubon. 1970. I do remember the flares going up at night and the gunship flying over head checking out the perimeter. 1970 - (C-5A @ Ubon Thailand - Brought In Replacement AC-130A Wing) by Spectre Veteran 1970 - (AC-130A Spectre Gunship . [3]:255 With the deployment of USAF fighters to Ubon, the unit also performed joint exercises and provided air defense for the USAF attack aircraft and bombers based at Ubon. Photo donated by Sammy Harbin The United States Air Force deployed combat aircraft to Thailand from 1961 to 1975 during the Vietnam War. Ubon RTAFB. Return to Restricted Area Topics The facility is also used as a civil airport. Best wishes. Pilot fills out Form 1. My email is the same, but they apparently turned your workplace email off. Views of RF-4C Phantoms landing at Ubon Thai Air Force Base one by one, deploying drag chutes. General James went to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in December 1966, as deputy commander for operations, 8th TFW, and in June 1967 was named wing vice commander. Got other names on the tip of my tongue but they stop there. In trying to substantiate my claim, I went to the National Personnel records Center here in St. Louis to pull my From DD214 and any other records to fulfill the claim requirements set forth by the VA for those of us in Thailand service. I always guessed they just wanted to get close to the action. In a high rainfall tropical environment? I was a weapons mechanic with the 408th MMS when that happened. Now I wonder if they had only one rifle and we all signed for the same weapon. Im always interested in updating my site, with additional photo material. [3]:257. License Agreement | I just love auto correct or whatever! Tankers and other vehicles at the base. Ubon AirForce Base Thailand 1967 stock footage and images - Showing 1 to 6 of 5380 results Sort by: All All Search Results Decade 1900 - 1909 (1) 1910 - 1919 (98) 1920 - 1929 (56) 1930 - 1939 (111) more Location Abadan Iran (1) Abilene Texas USA (5) Adak Island Aleutian Islands (1) Addis Ababa Abyssinia (2) more Aden South Arabia (1) Think about it all the time. 36; Ubon AB runway No. . Shopping Cart | ( She is still my wife.) We worked the 6:00 pm 6:00 am shift 6 days a week (sometimes 7 days). I am also looking for any vets at Ubon in 72-73 that worked on the F4 and the 130 as a aircraft HYDRAULIC mechanic. During Operation Bolo, Colonel Olds dubbed the wing the Wolf Pack because of its aggressive tactics and high degree of teamwork. Taken in: Thailand / Ubon Ratchathani / Pathum ( show map) Taken on: January 1, 1970. I am desperate for evidence to present to the Regional Board for an Agent Orange Hearing. I can also remember the day one of the guys jumped into the front seat and inadvertently fired rockets across into the revetment. Under Thailand's "gentleman's agreement" with the United States, RTAF base used by the USAF were commanded by Thai officers. Cant remember what I went by in Ubon. Landed Da Nang 1968 in May, transfered Udorn Dec. 68, then extended and off to Ubon. Members from the 42nd Air Base Wing and Air University Library pose after a special guest panel session to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the repatriation of prisoners of war from Vietnam on Feb. 14, 2023, at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. If anyone has any ideas before Oct 11, please advise to ebouquet@comcast.net Thanks to all who will reach out to me and I will do the same for you. Was there when the Aussies arrived. We all got a lengthy talk about seat safety since our group would have to get in the seats to test our equipment. Thanks Steve Ive resolved my problem (have 100% SC now) but there may be others looking to connect. I have no real regrets as I volunteered to go there HOWEVER I do have some health Issues now that I think are directly related to my tour, one being heart disease and now I will be going thru test for Parkinsons disease as well. Was there in Dec 69 -Dec 70. That name Mike Standifer sounds a little familiar to me and yes, please do put him in contact with me. Nothing grew there, no weeds, no plants, nothing. With all of us pulling together we can win, this thing with agent orange and maybe can be compensate for it. Sappers hit Udorn Oct 3rd. There was no attempt to,cover. I worked as a US Customs Liason with TMO at the Aerial Port. Japan and their photo lab arrived at Don Muang. 1982 Comm, Sq. Found that base newspaper from Ubon [Phantom Flyer], had the sapper attack of Jan 70 in it. Craig Mitch Mitchell. The V A has denied my claim twice already due to my job description as a weapons mechanic supervisor 46250 and in the bomb dump loading the Mers & Ters for a year. Ill ask her on Saturday (9th) when I see her. Thank God , as far as I know, I dont have cancer but I have the other three. We worked 3 shifts, but we had to be in the same barracks. Was in the 435th 7/67-7/68 and never saw napalm or A-1s in revetments. Its a closed group open only to Ubon Vets. 7th RRFs Ramasun Station, Nong Sung, Thailand. Ubon (Ubon Ratchathani) Royal Thai Air Force Base is located approximately 305 miles North-East of Bangkok. bob longcake, I served at Ubon in 1973-74, and closed the 8thMMS as it had renamed. June 68 thru Oct ; was then transferred to Igloo White till my tour ended in May 69. When I got to Ubon end of January 1970 the gun shop was fully manned and they assigned me to the 408th munitions maintenance squadron. Thank you for all the great photos and memories. (That hole was still there when I left in Sept.) Tha next thing I saw was the two would be heroes belly down on the maintenance ramp, closer than close to the wall, dead silent and crawling fast fast as if their lives depended on it. We dont have much information about him. 79 Squadron is a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) flight training unit that has been formed on four occasions since 1943. Never got used to the taste of Water Buffalo beef or whatever that was they fed us at the mess hall. Even better if you have photos! If anyone (Australian or American) is able to share their experiences and maybe help me with some military knowledge, Id love for you to reach out to me alexandrapbunton@gmail.com. Hi Mike Keep us posted on the VA there is a link USmedicen.com is where I found the possible link AO and skin cancer. Life in Ubon Ratchathani as a soldier during the Vietnam War, Family life in rural Thailand & Australia, Life in Ubon Ratchathani as a soldier during the Vietnam War. First Thank you for your service. I was part of the 408MMS, working in the Transfer Point (Reload/Preload) and Line Delivery (Cobra7) from approx. My AFSC was Life Support Systems and home base was Korat In late January or early February of 69 our squadron, the 469th, went TDY to Ubon for approximately 6 weeks while some repairs were done on our flight line and runways. A dog runs by us, a rifle shot barks at him and he folds up on the tarmac. Joe my memory is not what it used to be but I do remember you and Mike Pruitt. I do still have many pictures from my tour to Ubon and also some from short hops to to other bases as well as my R&R to Bangkok and Pattau beach with a few of my buds. I was a J4620 in the 433rd under Wing Com Col Robin Olds and Vice Com. My Account | I am another Ubonian. Ubon RTAFB is the home of Wing 21 of the RTAF 2nd Air Division. goodmanhist@yahoo.com. I found one person from the 460th AEMS in Saigon that remembered me being there but was hoping to have some additional backup when I file a claim for AO exposure, i went tdy to the same base in 69 no record can be found emagance that, I ran across some very interesting info linking TCE (Trike or Tri) trichloroethylene with kidney cancer, liver cancer, and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. I was in the phantom gun shop on the Flightline that day. Learn more about benefits related to Agent Orange exposure. The RTAF 231 Squadron "Hunter" is assigned to Udorn, equipped with the Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet -A. That is now why I am now trying to research and reconnect with some of my buds. Last night he located a buddy that was stationed with him but unfortunately he passed away last month. Hope these photos are declassified. [28]:140. Was there when they killed a of the migs, we had a three day drunk. Maps and Photos of bases used by the USAF in Thailand During the Vietnam Era One of the most frequent requests I receive from veterans who served in Thailand is for a map of the base the veteran served at during the Vietnam era. I was in UBON 1969-1970 Crew Chief 43151C with the 435TFS. I have one for Udorn, but cannot locate one for Ubon. Does anyone remember one of my guys being killed from the seat rocket exploding? Spent a little time in the cbu shop. I salute each and every one of you who just did the job you were trained to do. Former SSGT Charlie Hockman, Just stumbled onto this website, funny what triggers our memories to look for such things. Not to say we havent done it just that it is easier and quicker when you are the one answering our questions. I RETURN AS OFTEN AS THE THAI WIFE WILL ALLOW. Thanks VetFriends. My afsc was Aircraft Electrician. email merryb@tds.net CRITICALPAST.COM: I was assigned to Ubon in August 1972. http://www.vspa.com/ub-bateman-sappers-1969-1970-1972.htm. !function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)? Several of our men went to Danang to help with quick turns during this time. We flew a lot of CBU-52, 58 & 71 all used the SUU-30 dispenser. Yeah I bet the course was a bit rough back in the 1960s! The mortar attack was approximately 11:00 P.M on Oct 1, 1972. I am trying to find Carl J. Santoro NY. The radar station gives complete coverage to friendly areas. F-4cs & ds. It is located in Central Thailand, approximately 144 miles (240 km) northwest of Bangkok in Takhli district, Nakhon Sawan Province, near the city of Nakhon Sawan. It remained at Ubon until 14 June when it was transferred to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. Buy photos from select Flickr photographers here. Wow! I was told I made to much to qualify. The last scheduled F4 training flight occurred on 16 July 1974 and on 16 September the wing and most of its components moved without personnel or equipment to Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, where the wing absorbed resources of the 3d TFW that had moved without personnel or equipment to the Philippines. I recall the night they tried to get the gunships very well. I would love to read more about this seat rocket exploding sounds devastating and at the same time very intriguing. In 1973 until 1974 the 1982nd Radio Maintenance section maintained the electronic sensor intrusion detection system on the perimeters of both the base and the bomb dump. Buddy Letter s must include Service #, job title at Ubon Royal Air Force Base ,where your job took place and why you feel yourself and others with similar jobs on the outer perimeter could have presumptive exposure to Toxic ( tactical ) Herbices. Have you cked out FB/ Ubon Vets? For the benefit of the Ubon vets that see this, there is a Face Book group for Ubon Vets to connect with each other and share memories. From 1965 to 1974, the base was a front-line facility of the USAF during the Vietnam War. I also lived in cinder block barracks near the perimeter. Leon Wynn Tenn., James L Williams Louisaina, I was also station at Vandenberg AFB. The first Air Force victories did not occur until July 10, when F-4Cs, flying from Ubon Air Base in Thailand, shot down two MiG-17s. We Werent There. We were told the Aussies were reassigned out of the country due to an accident where some Thai civilians were killed by an incident involving the Australians.I can remember some details of the encampment like an amphitheater and a few other structures constructed of bamboo.The photos I took are long gone, so my plea to any one who might have been there and have pictures of that camp,I would sure appreciate a copy to present in my claim. The 83rd eventually transferred to Udorn, where it morphed into the 7th RRFS. Good day. Fascinating website link I had no idea this happened. Assume it must have been sprayed ? 4. I was stationed at Ubon in aug 1971 -Aug 1972 any questions on Ubon maybe I can jug this old memory bob_betsey@verizon.net. He passed away last year. Wives are welcome, and Im not sure why it was felt that you might be unwelcome. RF-101 aircraft land and taxi to parking area. I have been thoroughly disgusted with efforts to get records from the military. Dayton Ohio Wright Patterson Air Force Base USA, Del Rio Texas Laughlin Air Force Base USA, Eglin Air Force Base Okaloosa County Florida USA, England United Kingdom Molesworth Airfield, Grand Forks Air Force Base North Dakota USA, Kharkov Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base (NKP) Thailand, Polebrook Northamptonshire England United Kingdom, U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base Thailand, Vandenberg AFB, California United States USA. Pingback: Trainieren Moers Bauchmuskeln - Bodybuilding-foren,
