Cần Thơ Base Camp

Cần Thơ airfield was originally established during the French colonial period and was later used by the Japanese during World War II.{{cite book|last=Kelley|first=Michael|title=Where we were in Vietnam|publisher=Hellgate Press|year=2002|isbn=978-1555716257}}{{rp|86}}

In June 1962 Detachment 3, 6220th Air Base Squadron was established at Cần Thơ.{{cite book|last=Futrell|first=Robert|title=The United States Air Force in Southeast Asia: The Advisory Years to 1965|publisher=Office of Air Force History|year=1981|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a100569.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200723054135/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a100569.pdf|url-status=live|archive-date=July 23, 2020|lccn=80024547 |page=167}} On 8 July 1963 a Detachment of the 33rd Tactical Group was established at Cần Thơ.{{rp|272}}

In May 1963 Detachment 7, 8th Aerial Port Squadron was established at Cần Thơ.{{rp|167}} On 8 July 1963 a Detachment of the 33rd Tactical Group was established at Cần Thơ replacing Detachment 3, 6220th Air Base Squadron.

The RVNAF maintained a detachment from its 122nd Liaison Squadron equipped with 5 O-1 Bird Dogs.{{rp|215}}

In mid-1963 Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) proposed the construction of a {{convert|6,000|ft|m|adj=on}} runway near Cần Thơ to replace the existing {{convert|3,000|ft|m|adj=on}} runway at Sóc Trăng Airfield which was unsuitable for night and wet weather operations with a projected US$4.5 million construction cost and a 2-year construction period.{{rp|177}}

On the night of 16 July 1963 a Viet Cong (VC) mortar attack on Cần Thơ Airfield wounded 17 ARVN and US Special Forces troops.{{rp|179}}

In July 1963 the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron was activated at Bien Hoa Air Base, becoming operational on 15 September, it maintained a detachment of 6 O-1s at Cần Thơ.{{rp|182}}

In January 1964 given the need for heavier aircraft to be available for quick reaction air support in the Mekong Delta, CINCPAC approved the construction of a new airfield at Cần Thơ for a cost of US$2.5 million to be ready within one year.{{rp|184}}

Construction of the new Binh Thuy Air Base, 7 km northwest of Cần Thơ Airfield began in February 1964.{{rp|57}}{{cite book|last=Tregaskis|first=Richard|title=Southeast Asia:Building the Bases, The History of Construction in Southeast Asia|publisher=U.S. Navy Seabee Museum|year=1975|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/museums/Seabee/Online%20Reading%20Room/Manuals%20and%20Publications/Publications/Southeast%20Asia%2C%20Building%20The%20Bases%2C%20A%20History%20Of%20Const.pdf|isbn=9781461097235|page=47}}

In April 1964, Detachment 3, 619th Tactical Control Squadron was organized at the base. In the same month the RVNAF 74th Tactical Wing was established.

The base was originally established by the 9th Infantry Division.{{rp|86}}

File:Can Tho, September 1967.png

File:Can Tho Base Camp, September 1967.png

File:Can Tho airfield repairs, March 1968.png

File:CH-47 destroyed in rocket attack on Can Tho Base Camp, 13 January 1969.jpg

File:Can Tho control tower, April 1970.jpg

Other units stationed here included:

• 52nd Signal Battalion (15 October 1966 – 13 October 1971){{Cite web |url=https://www.fold3.com/image/1/241959160 |title=Recommendation for Meritorious Unit Commendation 27 June 1968 |website=Fold3.com |access-date=13 June 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.fold3.com/image/1/269630772 |title=DETAILED LIST OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND TASKS PERFORMED |website=Fold3.com |access-date=13 June 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.fold3.com/image/1/269630746 |title=Recommendation for Meritorious Unit Commendation 20 June 1971 |website=Fold3.com |access-date=13 June 2020}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/52sig.htm |title=52nd Signal Battalion |website=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=14 June 2020 |quote=... On 1 August 1966, the Battalion was reactivated in Can Tho, Republic of Vietnam ...'}}
• Battery H, 29th Artillery (March–October 1967){{cite book|last=Stanton|first=Shelby|title=Vietnam Order of Battle|publisher=Stackpole Books|year=2003|isbn=9780811700719}}{{rp|77}}
• 6th Battalion, 77th Artillery (July 1968-June 1969){{rp|106}}
• 13th Aviation Battalion{{cite book|last=Dunstan|first=S|title=Vietnam Choppers|year=1988|publisher=Osprey Publishing Ltd|isbn=0-85045-572-3|page=33}}
• 18th Aviation Company (August 1971-March 1973){{rp|121}}
• 235th Aviation Company (November 1967-August 1971){{rp|122}}
• 244th Aviation Company (July 1967-November 1970){{rp|122}}
• 271st Aviation Company (February 1968-September 1971){{rp|122}}
• Troop C, 16th Cavalry (May 1970-January 1971){{rp|113}}
• 191st Assault Helicopter Company (September 1969 - 31 August 1971)http://www.191ahc.org/history3.pdf

The US Air Force 619th Tactical Control Squadron Detachment 3 provided air traffic control until June 1972.

Cần Thơ was a base for the ARVN 9th Division until April 1975.

The base remains in use by the PAVN as the headquarters of the 9th Military Region. The airfield is no longer used but still clearly visible on satellite images.

{{reflist}}

• http://www.cantho-rvn.org/ Photos of the base and airfield

{{DEFAULTSORT:Can Tho Base Camp}}

Category:Buildings and structures in Cần Thơ

Category:Military installations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Category:Military installations of the United States in South Vietnam