Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base: Difference between revisions
→First Deactivation: added & expanded |
→1965/1969 Vietnam War Activities: added & expanded |
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From [[March]] [[1965]] until [[April]] [[1971]] the 355th TFW participated in all the major strikes against North Vietnamese logistical areas. Among the targets hit by the 355th were the Yen Bay Arsenal and storage complex, Viet Tri Railroad and highway bridge, Hanoi petroleum storage complex, Dap Cau railroad and highway bridge, Phuc Yen petroleum storage. and Thai Nguyen railroad station and yard. |
From [[March]] [[1965]] until [[April]] [[1971]] the 355th TFW participated in all the major strikes against North Vietnamese logistical areas. Among the targets hit by the 355th were the Yen Bay Arsenal and storage complex, Viet Tri Railroad and highway bridge, Hanoi petroleum storage complex, Dap Cau railroad and highway bridge, Phuc Yen petroleum storage. and Thai Nguyen railroad station and yard. |
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In [[September]] 1965, increasing demands for fuel in Southeast Asia led to the deployment of KC-135 tankers to Takhli under the designation of King Cobra to suppliment supplemented those at [[Don Muang Royal Thai Air Base|Don Muang Air Base]]in refueling the Thai-based fighters. |
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During [[November]] 1965, the '''355 Tactical Fighter Wing''' was reassigned to Takhli from McConnell AFB, Kansas as the new host unit, and assigned to the 13 Air Force. |
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In [[January]] [[1967]], the '''4258th Strategic Wing''' assumed full responsibility for the Takhli KC-135 tankers formerly belonging to the |
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4252d at Kadena Air Base. At years end, the tanker force numbered 5 at Takhli. |
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On [[10 March]] 1967, Capt. Max C. Brestel, an [[F-105]] pilot became the first twin MiG-killer of the war when he shot down two [[MiG-17]]'s. Also on 10 March, Capt Merlyn H. Dethlefsen won the [[Congressional Medal Of Honor]]. |
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On [[19 April]] 1967, Major Leo K. Thorsness won the [[Congressional Medal Of Honor]]. |
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On [[11 August]] 1967, Raid on Hanoi Railroad and Highway Bridge. Thirty-six strike aircraft led by the 355th dropped 94 tons of bombs and destroyed one rail span and two highway spans on the northeast side of the bridge. The superstructure was damaged and the highway portion on the north side of the bridge , where it crossed the island in the river, was cut. This stopped the movement of an average of 26 trains per day with an estimated capacity of |
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5,950 short tons. Two aircraft were damaged, but no pilots were lost. The heart of the North Vietnamese transportation system had been dealt a severe blow. |
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During [[1968]], [[F-111]]As ofthe 428 TFS arrived. In [[Feburary]] the KC-135s were transferred to [[Ching Chuan Kang Air Base]] [[Taiwan]]. |
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In [[October]] [[1969]] the 44 TFS moved from Korat to Takhli, thus consolidating all Southeast Asia F-105 assets at one base. |
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At the peak of operations in [[1969]], the units assigned to Takhli RTAFB were the following: |
At the peak of operations in [[1969]], the units assigned to Takhli RTAFB were the following: |
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Revision as of 15:04, 31 May 2006
Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base is a Royal Thai Air Force facility. It is located near the city of Nakhon Sawan, about 144 miles (240 km) north of Bangkok in the Nakhon Sawan Province.
Currently Takhli RTAFB is the home of the RTAF Wing 4, 401, 402, 403 squadrons. During the Vietnam War it was a front-line base of the United States Air Force.
Vietnam War
1961/1964 Advisory Years
United States Air Force personnel began arriving at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base in early 1961 to support a detachment of F-100 "Supersabres" from the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing, Cannon AFB, New Mexico. The base continued to support F-100 rotational units until March 1965, when F-105 "Thunderchiefs" arrived from the United States and replaced the F-100s on a rotational deployment basis.
The rotational Thunderchief units were replaced in late 1965, when the F-105 equipped 355th Tactical Figher Wing was deployed permanently to Takhli from McConnell AFB, Kansas. Assigned to the wing were the 333rd, 354th and 357th Tactical Fighter Squadrons.
For Operation FIELD GLASS, on 13 May 1962, a Clark Air Force Base F-100 detachment was deployed to Takhli in response to an increasing threat along the Laotian border. On 16 May the rest of the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base from Clark. On 7 June, they were replaced by a TDY squadron of F-100's from Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
In July 1962, the 6011th Air Base Squadron was established as the host unit. During February 1963, the rotational squadron of F-100's was reduced to six aircraft.
The 331st Air Base Squadron ( 35th Tactical Group ) replaced the 6011th Air Base Squadron in July 1963.
Six F-100's deployed from Clark Air Base on 8 June 1964. InAugust, Det 1., 421st Air Refueling Squadron was organized. Also, The 405th Tactical Wing sent ten F-100s from Clark to Takhli as a result of the Gulf of Tonkin Incident.
1965/1969 Vietnam War Activities
From March 1965 until April 1971 the 355th TFW participated in all the major strikes against North Vietnamese logistical areas. Among the targets hit by the 355th were the Yen Bay Arsenal and storage complex, Viet Tri Railroad and highway bridge, Hanoi petroleum storage complex, Dap Cau railroad and highway bridge, Phuc Yen petroleum storage. and Thai Nguyen railroad station and yard.
In September 1965, increasing demands for fuel in Southeast Asia led to the deployment of KC-135 tankers to Takhli under the designation of King Cobra to suppliment supplemented those at Don Muang Air Basein refueling the Thai-based fighters.
During November 1965, the 355 Tactical Fighter Wing was reassigned to Takhli from McConnell AFB, Kansas as the new host unit, and assigned to the 13 Air Force.
In January 1967, the 4258th Strategic Wing assumed full responsibility for the Takhli KC-135 tankers formerly belonging to the 4252d at Kadena Air Base. At years end, the tanker force numbered 5 at Takhli.
On 10 March 1967, Capt. Max C. Brestel, an F-105 pilot became the first twin MiG-killer of the war when he shot down two MiG-17's. Also on 10 March, Capt Merlyn H. Dethlefsen won the Congressional Medal Of Honor.
On 19 April 1967, Major Leo K. Thorsness won the Congressional Medal Of Honor.
On 11 August 1967, Raid on Hanoi Railroad and Highway Bridge. Thirty-six strike aircraft led by the 355th dropped 94 tons of bombs and destroyed one rail span and two highway spans on the northeast side of the bridge. The superstructure was damaged and the highway portion on the north side of the bridge , where it crossed the island in the river, was cut. This stopped the movement of an average of 26 trains per day with an estimated capacity of 5,950 short tons. Two aircraft were damaged, but no pilots were lost. The heart of the North Vietnamese transportation system had been dealt a severe blow.
During 1968, F-111As ofthe 428 TFS arrived. In Feburary the KC-135s were transferred to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base Taiwan.
In October 1969 the 44 TFS moved from Korat to Takhli, thus consolidating all Southeast Asia F-105 assets at one base.
At the peak of operations in 1969, the units assigned to Takhli RTAFB were the following:
- Host Unit - 355th Tactical Fighter Wing
- 41st, 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (TEWS) - 31 EB-66B/C/Es
- 333rd, 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron - 40 F-105Ds
- 354th Tactical Fighter Squadron - 17 F-105F/Gs
- Det 2, 38th Air Rescue And Recovery Squadron (ARRS) - 2 HH-43s
First Deactivation
In September 1970, Det 1, 12 TFS, moved to Korat from Takhli with six F-105G Wild Weasel aircraft. The unit was redesignated as the 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron on 1 November.
On 7 October the 355 TFW ceased combat operations at Takhli ,and on the 12th, the wing retired it's colors with a 12-aircraft flyover of F-105s. The wing and its associated units inactivated 10 December. Most of the aircraft were moved to McConnell Air Force Base, Kansas, but some went to Kadena Air Base and the 18 TFW.
The last USAF units left Takhli RTAFB by April 1971.
1972 USAF Reactivation
As a response to the invasion of South Vietnam by the North Vietnamese army in April 1972, on 5 May about 35 members of the PACAF advance party returned to prepare for the arrival of the F-4 "Phantoms"s of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing from Holloman AFB, New Mexico and and the KC-135's of the 11th Air Refueling Squadron from Altus AFB, Oklahoma.
In June the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing was reassigned to Takhli. The 366th remained until October when it moved to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
During December, KC-135 tankers were depolyed to Takhli when the United States resumed the large scale bombing of North Vietnam. In early 1973, With the suspension of bombing in North Vietnam and the resumption of peace negotiations, inflight refueling requirements decreased markedly. As a result, in late January 1973 many of the augmentee tankers returned to their home bases.
On 30 July, the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing equipped with F-111s arrived at Takhli. On 15 August, the last wartime mission of the Vietnam Era was flown into Cambodia] for final mission of Constant Guard.
Post-Vietnam Use by USAF
During January 1974 the Secretary of Defense announced a realignment of Thailand resources, with the final pullout of air resources by the end of 1976. Major changes at Takhli during the year included the 347 TFW's AC-130 gunships and F-111's being transferred to Korat on 12 July.
In June 1974, Four F-111s from the 347 TFW flew from Takhli to Osan Air Base South Korea and conducted live weapons demonstrations for Republic of Korea and US officials at Nightmare Range.
On 31 July 1974 phase down of operations at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base was completed ahead of schedule, and the base was officially returned to the Thai Government on 12 September. All remaining US personnel departed on 14 September.
Major USAF Units Based At Takhli During the Vietnam War
- 27th USAF Dispensary
- 49th Tactical Fighter Wing
- 11th Air Refueling Squadron
- 6499th Combat Support Group
- 2083rd Communications Squadron
- Det. 8, 3rd Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group
Takhli RTAFB Today
Takhli is an active Royal Thai Air Force base, home of Wing 4, 3rd Air Division.
- 401 Light Attack Squadron, flying L-39 Albatros
- 402 Light Attack Squadron, flying L-39 Albatros
- 403 Fighter Squadron, flying F-16A/B
From 13 - 17 December 1982 Commando West V was held. This marked the first visit of a PACAF tactical unit to Thailand since the early 1970s. The 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron from Elmendorf AFB Alaska deployed six F-4Es to Takhli, flying a total of 55 sorties with the Royal Thai Air Force.
Also on 25 November 1983 six F-4Es from the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing's 3TFS deployed to Takhli for dissimilar air combat tactics training with the Royal Thai Air Force. The group returned to Clark Air Base on 5 December.