1/144 Da Nang Air Base, 1970-71

Kits-World - 1/144 Da Nang Air Base, 1970-71. 225mm(W) x 225mm(H) 9inches(W) x 9inches(H)

Armee de l'Air:

The history of the air base at Da Nang goes back to the days of French Indochina. Tourane Airfield as it was then called, was constructed during the 1930's. In 1940, the French Vichy Government agreed to let Imperial Japan use the base as a stationing post for Japanese troops along with several other bases in the area including Cam Ranh Bay and Bien Hoa. During 1944-45, the base was extensively attacked by aircraft of the Usaaf Fourteenth Air Force and US Navy Third Fleet.

After the Second World War, it was passed to French control and became instrumental as a main Armee de l'Air base during the 1946-54 French Indochina War, operating types such as the Grumman F8F Bearcat and Douglas B-26 Invader, the latter forming Groupe de Bombardement I/19 Gascogne.

During 1953, the United States sent Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars to Tourane in support of French military operations in Indochina and these were used in the pivotal Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, albeit crewed by civilians. In 1954, the United States sent further B-26 and RB-26's to Tourane, along with Douglas C-47 Skytrain and F4U Corsairs. The French also expanded the runways at Tourane to handle heavier aircraft.

Dien Bien Phu resulted in a major defeat for France and following the battle, France began to sue for a peace. United States forces that had remained at Tourane in support of the French finally left in July 1954, with the last of the French operational units moving out in September.

During the last months of the French withdrawal, a small nucleus air force had been set up consisting of Morane-Saulnier MS.315 and MS.500's. This was expanded with Grumman F8F Bearcats, Cessna L-19 Bird Dogs and Douglas C-47 Skytrains from the United States as part of the Mutual Defence Assistance Program. Tourane was formally handed over to the new Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) in September 1955, and by 1957, all Rvnaf training was fully conducted by the United States. Throughout the remainder of the 1950's and into the early 1960's, Rvnaf units at the base increased in number with the base not only stationing fixed wing, but also rotary wing operations. In 1965, the United States transferred a small number of Martin B-57B Canberra's to the RVNAF.

United States Air Force:

The first US units began to arrive at Da Nang in 1962 with the United States Army stationing the 93rd Transportation Company flying Piasecki CH-21 Shawnee's at the base from January with support from the 339th Transportation Company. In June, the US Army's 18th Fixed Wing Aviation Company arrived flying de Havilland Canada UH-1 Otters. The 93rd left in September of the same year and were replaced by Sikorsky UH-34 Choctaw's of HMM-362 with support from the 611th Transportation Company.

January 1962 also saw the arrival of the first USAF units in the shape of the 5th Tactical Control Group and by March, Fairchild C-123 Providers forming the 6222nd Air Base Squadron were stationed there as part of Project Mule Train. More C-123's of the 777th Troop Carrier Squadron were relocated to Da Nang in April 1963 to support aircraft of the 6222nd ABS. The runway was also resurfaced with other areas being covered with pierced steel plank

In 1964, Da Nang received its first USAF jets. The 509th Fighter Squadron equipped with Convair F-102 Delta Daggers and the 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron operating F-100 Super Sabres arrived in August.

Da Nang was one of the main bases used in the support of Operation Barrel Roll, the name given to covert operations by the USAF 2nd Air Division and US Navy Task Force 77 over Laos. This operation lasted began in December 1964 finally ceasing in March 1973, with a number of units either stationed at the base or transitioning through, including the 80th and 44th Tactical Fighter Squadrons (Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs), the latter forming Detachment 2 of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, and the 613th Tactical Fighter Squadron (North American F-100 Super Sabres).

In February 1965, Da Nang saw the arrival of F-100 Super Sabres of the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing in support of Operation Flaming Dart, and in March of the same year Operation Rolling Thunder began with strikes being carried out by F-100's, F-105's and Vietnamese Air Force Douglas A-1 Skyraiders against North Vietnamese targets. Also in March 1965, a second runway was constructed due to the growing number of units stationed at or operating through the base.

March also saw the arrival of the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing. The 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron and 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron (both with the F-100 Super Sabre) and 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron (Lockheed F-104 Starfighter) arriving in April. However, the 416th departed for Bien Hoa in June. In may the 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron (20th TASS) flying Cessna O-1 Bird Dogs arrived. The 615th left in June, returning to the United States. The same month saw the redeployment of Martin B-57B's of the 8th Bombardment Squadron from Bien Hoa and would be operated alongside other B-57B's of the 13th Bombardment Squadron until they were redeployed to Phan Rang.

The 476th Tfs was replaced in July 1965 by the 436th Tfs (F-104 Starfighter), and this unit would be replaced in turn during October by the 435th TFS, also flying the F-104. The following month saw the deployment of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms.

January 1966 saw the deployment of the Northrop F-5 Skoshi Tiger program where the aircraft would be evaluated in combat operations by the 4503rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. These aircraft would then be redeployed between Da Nang and Bien Hoa over the course of February and March 1966. They would eventually be stationed at Bien Hoa as the 10th Fighter Squadron.

The 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron (37th ARRS) was also formed at Da Nang in January 1966 operating the Grumman HU-16 Albatross. in 1967, this unit absorbed the first detachment of the 38th Arrs also stationed at Da Nang and which operated the Sikorsky HH-3.

More deployments followed over the course of 1966 including the 480th Fighter Squadron in February (F-4 Phantom), 405th Fighter Wing in May (F-102 Delta Dagger), and the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing in October (F-4 Phantom). The 20th Tass also re-equipped with the Cessna O-2 Skymaster in September. In 1967, more O-2's were assigned to the base under the 9th Air Commando Squadron.

United States Marine Corps:

The early days of US Marine Corps deployment at Da Nang are complicated, with many unit replacements and redeployments in the space of a very short period of time. The Usmc stationed its first units at Da Nang in 1962 when HMM-163 flying Sikorsky UH-34's was redeployed there from Soc Trang. This unit was replaced in January 1963 by HMM-162 and this was itself replaced in June by HMM-261, followed by a further replacement by HMM-361. HMM-361 continued at Da Nang until February 1964 when the unit was replaced by HMM-364. All operated the UH-34 over this period. HMM-364 transferred its rotary aircraft to the Vietnamese Air Force's 217 Squadron in June 1964 and it was at this time when HMM-162 was re-deployed back to Da Nang. In October of the same year, HMM-162 was replaced by HMM-365. February 1965 saw the deployment of Raytheon Hawk missile batteries to Da Nang. These were operated by the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion. HMM-162 returned to Da Nang in March 1965 replacing HMM-365.

April 1965 saw the arrival of VMFA-531 flying McDonnell Douglas F-4B Phantoms, and this unit was followed later in the month by Douglas EF-10B Skyknights of VMCJ-1. In July, VMFA-531 was replaced by VMFA-513 flying F-4 Phantoms and this unit was joined by VMFA-542 also flying Phantoms. VMFA-513 was replaced in October by VMFA-115 (F-4 Phantom) and 542 was replaced in December by VMFA-323 also operating the F-4 Phantom. The same month also saw the arrival of VMF(AW)-312 at that time operating Vought F-8 Crusaders, although they re-equipped with Phantoms the following year. In support were Lockheed C-130 Hercules of VMGR-152. Grumman A-6 Intruders of VMF(AW)-242 arrived in the latter part of 1966.

Between 1967-1970 the Usmc fielded a growing number of units at Da Nang, VMF(AW)-225, VMFA-122, VMF(AW)-242 and VMCJ-1, VMO-2 and VMFA-542, although there was some relocation, redeployment and movement of these units throughout this period. 1970 also saw the arrival of VMA-311 flying McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawks.

In 1971, VMFA-115 was redeployed to Mcas Iwakuni in Japan. his left VMF(AW)-225 and VMA-311 as the only Usmc fixed wing units at the base. However, in April 1972 VMFA-115 and VMFA-232 returned to Da Nang to help counter the Pavn Easter Offensive. These units were followed by VMFA-212. Towards the close of American involvement in Vietnam, US operations were gradually wound down.

Da Nang was finally captured by North Vietnamese forces in late March-early April 1975.

Main aircraft operated for the period (1970'71) given:

McDonnell Douglas A-4E Skyhawk. Shown is an A-4E operated by VMA-311 'Tomcats'.
GPS- 16º02'39.10' N 108º11'57.80' E (General location)