Cat Lo Naval Base
{{Short description|Former joint naval base in Vietnam}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name=Cat Lo Naval Base
|partof=
|location=
|coordinates={{Coord|10.4125|N|107.127|E|display=inline|name=Cat Lo Naval Base}}
|image= File:Cat Lo, September 1967.png
|caption= Cat Lo, 26 September 1967
|pushpin_map = Vietnam
|pushpin_label =
|type=Navy
|code=
|built=1966
|builder=
|materials=
|height=
|used=1966–1975
|demolished=
|condition=
|ownership=
|controlledby=
|garrison=
|commanders=
|occupants= Division 13, Coast Guard Squadron One
|battles=Vietnam War
|events=
}}
Cat Lo Naval Base is a former United States Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Republic of Vietnam Navy (RVNN) base approximately {{convert|10|km|mi}} northeast of Vũng Tàu in southern Vietnam that was used during the Vietnam War.{{cite book|last=Kelley|first=Michael|title=Where we were in Vietnam|publisher=Hellgate Press|year=2002|isbn=978-1555716257|page=95}}
History
File:US Navy PACVs near Cat Lo c1966.jpg hovercraft returning to Cat Lo c.1966]]
In October 1965, the U.S. Navy selected Cat Lo as the base for Swift Boat Squadron 1, Division 103 with 14 Swift Boats to be based there with berthing, messing and basic repair facilities.{{cite book|last=Sherwood|first=John|title=War in the Shallows: U.S. Navy and Coastal and Riverine Warfare in Vietnam 1965-8|publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command|year=2015|isbn=9780945274773|page=284}} Dredging to build the base facilities eventually took 3 years and it housed over 600 personnel.{{rp|71}} Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit 302 Detachment C was based at Cat Lo during the base construction.
On 22 February 1966, the newly established Division 13, Coast Guard Squadron One began operations from Cat Lo.{{cite book|last=Scotti|first=Paul|title=Coast Guard Action in Vietnam: Stories of Those Who Served|publisher=Hellgate Press|year=2000|isbn=9781555715281|page=67}}
In early 1966 PBRs of River Divisions 53 and 54 began operations from Cat Lo.{{rp|103}} PACV Division 107 operating the experimental Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle also operated out of Cat Lo during their first deployment to the Vietnam War.{{cite web |title=Cat Lo U.S. Naval Combat and Logistics Base 1965-1971 |url=http://www.mrfa.org/us-navy/us-navy-mobile-riverine-force/u-s-naval-bases-support-activities-vietnam/cat-lo-u-s-naval-combat-and-logistics-base-1965-1971/ |website=The Mobile Riverine Force Association |accessdate=20 February 2019}}
It was home to a radio transmitter that broadcast AFN.{{cite web |url=http://www.intervalsignals.net/sounds/vtn-z-afvn_1970.mp3 |title=Archived copy |website=www.intervalsignals.net |access-date=12 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208235406/http://www.intervalsignals.net/sounds/vtn-z-afvn_1970.mp3 |archive-date=8 February 2018 |url-status=dead}}
The base was handed over to the RVNN on 28 April 1971.{{cite web|url=https://www.vietnam.ttu.edu/reports/images.php?img=/images/1683/168300010817.pdf|title=Headquarters MACV Command History 1971 Volume II|publisher=Headquarters United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam|date=1971|accessdate=9 April 2020|page=J-15}}{{PD-notice}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cat Lo Naval Base}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu province
Category:Military installations of the United States in South Vietnam