Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base
Infobox Airport
name = Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base
nativename =
image-width = 250
IATA =
ICAO = VTUN
type = Military
operator =
location =
elevation-f = 729
elevation-m = 222
coordinates = nowrap|coord|14|56|04|N|102|04|43|E|type:airport_region:TH
website =
metric-rwy = y
r1-number = 06/24
r1-length-m = 3,000
r1-length-f = 9,843
r1-surface = Concrete
footnotes = Source:
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base (Korat RTAFB) is a base of the
During the 1980s and early 1990s, the airfield was jointly operated as a civil airport for Nakhon Ratchasima. This was ended with the opening of
Units
Korat RTAFB is the home of the 1st RTAF Wing, consisting of 3 (101, 102, 103) squadrons. The airfield has a single 9,800 + foot
102 Squadron flies 15 F-16A-15ADF and 1 F-16B-15ADF Fighting Falcon air defense airplanes acquired from the USAF and delivered to the RTAF in 2003 and 2004.These airplanes were acquired under the code name Peace Naresuan IV.
103 Squadron flies 8 F-16A and 4 F-16B acquired under the code name Peace Naresuan 1,5 F-16A(out of 6 delivered) under the code name Peace Naresuan 11,3 F-16A and 4 F-16B acquired from the Republic of Singapore Air Force and delivered in late 2004.All F-16s are the block 15 version.
A detachment of 1 UH-1H Irouquois helicopter from 203 Squadron,Wing 2 is also at Korat.
Cope Tiger
Korat RTAFB is a major facility for the Cope Tiger exercises, an annual, multinational exercise conducted in two phases in the Asia-Pacific region.
Cope Tiger involves air forces from the United States, Thailand and Singapore , as well as U.S. Marines deployed from
American pilots fly A/OA-10A aircraft since 2006 from 25 Fighter Squadron,51 Fighter Wing 'Assam Draggins'F-15C/D/E Eagles , F/A-18C Hornets(f/A-18E/F Super Hornets , F-16C Fighting Falcons , E-3B Sentry Sentry Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), and KC-135,,Sikorsky MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters.
Thai Forces fly F-16A/B Fighting Falcons, F-5E Tigers and Ground Attack L-39's,and Alpha Jets of 231 Squadron.
Singapore forces fly F-5E and F-16A/B Fighting Falcons,Lockheed KC-130B Hercules,Grumman E-2C Hawkeye,Boeing CH-47SD Chinook and Eurocopter AS-532UL Couger.
More than 1,100 people participate, including approximately 500 U.S. servicemembers and 600 servicemembers from Thailand and Singapore.
Over the last few years,Cope Tiger has widened to include CSAR(Combat Search and Rescue) assets and in 2007 for the first time RTAFB Udon Thani was also used as a base during this exercise.These included a C-130E Hercules from 36 Airlift Squadron,374 Airlift Wing(based at Yokoya AB,Japan)in 2006,and a G-222 and a C-130H from the RTAF in 2007.
Since 2002 at least Unites States Marine Corps F/A-18C Hornet fighters have used Khorat as a base during Cobra Gold exercises.
USAF Use During The Vietnam War
During the
Under Thailand's "gentleman's agreement" with the United States, Korat, and the other
Korat was the location for
The mission of the USAF forces at Korat was to conduct operations in support of U.S. commitments in Southeast Asia
The APO for Korat was APO San Francisco, 96288
USAF Advisory use (1962 - 1964)
The USAF mission at Korat RTAFB began in April 1962, when one officer and 14 airmen were temporarily assigned to the base as the joint U.S. Military Advisory Group (JUSMAG). U. S. Army personnel were already stationed at Camp Friendship, a post adjacent south of the air base. In July 1964, approximately 500 airmen and officers were assigned to Korat to start the beginning of a tactical fighter operation. The construction of essential base facilities were initiated and was completed by October 1964.
In response to the Gulf Of Tonkin Incident on
In December 1964, the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron deployed to Korat from
Kadena AB, Okinawa. The 44th would rotate pilots and personnel to Korat on a
The 44th TFS returned to Kadena AB, Okinawa and assignment to the 18th TFW, but on 31 December 1966, it became only a paper organization without aircraft. The high loss rate of the F-105s in the two combat wings at Korat and
6234th (Provisional) Tactical Fighter Wing
In April 1965, the 6234th Air Base Squadron was activated at Korat as a permanent unit to support the TDY fighter units and their operations. This squadron was in existence until the end of April when it was deactivated and the 6234th Combat Support Group, the 6234th Support Squadron, and the 6234th Material Squadron were designated and organized as a result of a
The 6234th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional) was activated in April 1965 with Colonel William D. Ritchie, Jr. as Commander. The Wing had the responsibility for all Air Force units in Thailand until permanent wings were established at other bases.
Known deployed squadrons to Korat attached to the 6234th TFW (P) are:
* 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-105D, Tail Code: ZA) :Deployed from the 8th TFW,
* 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-105D, Tail Code: BA):Deployed from the 8th TFW,
* 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-105D, Tail Code: RU):Deployed from the 835th Air Division,
* 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-4C):Deployed from the 35th TFW,
Beginning in the fall of 1965 the rotation of temporary squadrons ceased with the permanent assignments of several CONUS squadrons.
* 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-105D):Reassigned from 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. McConnell AFB,
* 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-105D):Reassigned from 835th Air Division,
The 6234th TFW and its subordinate units operating F-105Ds and F-4Cs flew 10,797 sorties totaling 26,165 hours. The wing's efforts merited the Presidential Unit Citation in March 1966.
388th Tactical Fighter Wing
On
Units assigned to the 388th TFW upon activation were:
* 421st Tactical Fighter (F-105D No tail code while serving in the 388 TFW):Redesignated 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron 23 April 1967
* 469th Tactical Fighter (F-105D Tail Code: JV)
On 15 May 1966, two additional squadrons were activated in place and assigned to the 388th with aircraft being deployed from the 41st Air Division in Japan:
* 34th Tactical Fighter (F-105F Tail Code: JJ)
* 13th Tactical Fighter (F-105F Tail Code: WW):Inactivated October 1967, aircraft assigned to 44th TFS. Designation reassigned to 8th TFW , Udorn RTAFB and re-equipped with F-4Ds.
By 1967, Korat RTAFB was home to as many as 34 operating units and about 6,500 USAF airmen. Korat also housed components of the
The 388th TFW lost 48 aircraft in combat during 1967. Seven others were lost due to non-combat reasons. 43 Pilots and Electronic Warfare Officers (EWO) were listed as killed (KIA) or missing in action (MIA). 15 were rescued.
On
In mid-1968 it was decided to make the 388th an F-4 Wing, and also to equip the 388th with the new F-4E and the F-105s would be transferred to Takhli. The main difference with the F-4E model was the addition of an internal M61 cannon. The F-4C and D models previously in use had shown some serious drawbacks in the initial air-to-air battles over Vietnam. The earlier Sparrow, Falcon, and Sidewinder air-to-air missiles did not perform up to expectations. They were expensive, unreliable, and vulnerable to countermeasures. Many an enemy MiG was able to escape unscathed because a Phantom-launched missile malfunctioned and missed its target. The Phantoms could carry a podded cannon mounted on the centerline, but it was relatively inaccurate, caused excessive drag which reduced the performance of the Phantom carrying it, and took up a valuable ordinance/fuel station.
On
On
On
On
College Eye Task Force
An expansion of combat operations from Korat initiated with the arrival of EC-121 Warning Stars of the College Eye Task Force (later designated Det 1, 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing) from
The College Eye EC-121Ds provided airborne radar coverage and surveillance in support of aircraft flying combat operations. Combat
The mission of the 20 Batcats was to interdict and reduce the flow of supplies from North Vietnam down the
While enemy vehicle traffic was the primary target, it was also intended to detect individuals walking down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. To assist with detection of individuals, small bomblets were dropped along the trail. When someone stepped on a bomblet it would detonate, and this small explosion was picked up by the sensors.
In November 1970, the 553d RW was inactivated. The 554th RS transferred to
Det. 1 remained at Korat until June 1970, when it left Thailand. It returned in November 1971, now known as "Disco", after MiGs threatened B-52 and other aircraft operating in southern Laos. It remained at Korat, supporting Operation Linebacker,
The Korat's table of organization now became (November 1967):
* 388th Tactical Fighter Wing
** 34th Tactical Fighter (F-105 Tail Code: JJ)
** 44th Tactical Fighter (F-105D/F Tail Code: JE)
** 469th Tactical Fighter (F-105D Tail Code: JV)
* 553d Reconnaissance Wing (EC-121R)
* Det 1., 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing (EC-121D)
Project Wild Weasel
thumb|Republic F-105F/G-1-RE Thunderchief Serial 63-8291 of the 17th Tactical Fighter (Wild Weasel) Squadron.The Wild Weasel concept was originally proposed in 1965 as a method of countering the increasing North Vietnamese SAM threat, using volunteer crews. The mission of the Wild Weasels was to eliminate Communist Surface to Air Missile sites in North Vietnam.
In early 1966, standard F-105D's with no special Electronic countermeasures (ECM) equipment accompanied F-100 Wild Weasel I aircraft equipped with basic ECM equipment. In general, the F-100 would identify the SAM site and the F-105D's would fly the actual strike. The mission gradually evolved with the addition of new weapons and ECM equipment until the F-4 Phantom II replaced the F-100 and the F-105D was replaced by the more capable and specialized two-place F-105F and -G models.
The tactics employed on the Iron Hand missions were primarily designed to suppress the SA-2 and gun-laying RADAR defenses of North Vietnam during the ingress, attack and egress of the main strike force. In the suppression role,
The 12th Tactical Fighter squadron was equipped with the F-105G and was temporarily reassigned to Takhli in June 1967. The Detachment returned to its main unit at Korat and the 44th TFS was returned to Korat in September 1970 from the 355th TFW to the 388th TFW when the decision was made to consolidate the units of the Wild Weasel mission. With their return, the 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron was formed. The 6010th TFS's aircraft flew with tail code "ZB". The squadron was redesigned the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron on
In February 1972, the 67th TFS returned on Temporary Duty to Korat from Kadena AB, this time being equipped with the EF-4C aircraft. The EF-4C was the initial
Electronic Warfare Mission
[_aircraft_at_)
Korat's table of organization became (December 1970):
* 388th Tactical Fighter Wing
** 6010th/17th Wild Weasel (F-105G Tail Code: ZB/JB)
** 34th Tactical Fighter (F-4E Tail Code: JJ)
** 469th Tactical Fighter (F-4E Tail Code: JV)
** 42d TEWS (EB-66 Tail Code: JW)
* Det 1., 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing (EC-121T)
* 553rd Reconnaissance Squadron (EC-121R)
pecial Operations Mission
On
By August 1972, Korat's squadrons were as follows:
* 388th Tactical Fighter Wing
** 17th Wild Weasel (F-105G Tail Code: JB)
** 34th Tactical Fighter (F-4E Tail Code: JJ)
** 469th Tactical Fighter (F-4E Tail Code: JV)
** 35th Tactical Fighter (F-4D Tail Code: UP) (TDY)
** 67th Tactical Fighter (EC-4C Tail Code: BA) (TDY)
** 42d TEWS (EB-66 Tail Code: JW)
** 7th ACCS (EC-130E Tail Code: JC)
* Det 1., 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing (EC-121T)
354th Tactical Fighter Wing
On
In addition to strike missions during Operations Linebacker and Linebacker II, A-7D's of the 354th assumed the Combat Search and Rescue "Sandy" role from the A-1 Skyraider in November 1972 when the remaining Skyraiders were transferred to the Vietnamese Air Force. In addition, the 354th deployed some personnel to
The 354th TFW Forward Echelon at Korat also became a composite unit. Along with the Myrtle Beach personnel, elements of the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing from England AFB LA and the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing from Davis-Monthan AFB AZ were deployed to support the A-7D aircraft. These airmen rotated on 179-day assignments (the limit for TDY assignments) to Korat from these CONUS bases until early 1974.
In March 1973 A-7D aircraft were drawn from the deployed 354th TFW squadrons and assigned to the 388th TFW as the 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron. Some TDY personnel from the 354th TFW were assigned to the 388th and placed on permanent party status.
On
On
By June 1973, Korat's squadrons were as follows:
* 388th Tactical Fighter Wing
** 17th Wild Weasel(F-105G Tail Code: JB)
** 34th Tactical Fighter (F-4E Tail Code: JJ)
** 3d Tactical Fighter (A-7D Tail Code: JH)
** 42d TEWS (EB-66 Tail Code: JW)
** 7th ACCS (EC-130E Tail Code: JC)
** Det 1. 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron (F-105G Tail Code WW) (TDY)
* Det 1., 552d Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing (EC-121T)
* 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (A-7D Tail Code: MB) (TDY)
Laos and Cambodia 1973
The
The United States was helping the Royal Laotian government achieve whatever advantage possible before working out a settlement with the Laotian Communists and their allies.
The USAF flew 386 combat sorties over Laos during January and 1,449 in February 1973. On
In Cambodia there was no peace in 1973. Local Communist insurgents of the
The Cambodian Army would attempt to attack Khmer Rouge forces, however the rebels would simply slip away and move somewhere else. This tactic effectively succeeded in wearing down the government forces. In July and August 1973, the Khmer Rouge focused on taking Phanom Penh and other major cities. In addition, it was reported that the Khmer Rouge was utilizing tear gas in its attacks.
Congressional pressure in Washington grew against these bombings, and on
15 August 1973 The Last Day Of Combat
At 1100 hours (local),
At Korat, two A-7D pilots from the 354th TFW returned from flying the last USAF combat mission over Cambodia. Members of the news media had arrived at the base earlier to mark this auspicious occasion. However, the A-7 pilots did not display the excitement that the journalists were expecting.
The Cambodian people did not understand why the United States would, on this arbitrary date, leave, especially after their request for assistance. Without American airpower, there was no reason for the Khmer Rouge rebels to negotiate a peaceful settlement. In a French-language broadcast, the rebels claimed that the bombing halt was a victory for them.
The actions by the USAF helped motivate the Cambodian forces to the point where they were able to force the Khmer Rouge forces to retreat from some of their positions, however the net result was that the rebels were able to regroup in 1974 and resume their offensive.
Post-combat activities (1973/75)
After the end of combat operations in August 1973, the 388th TFW entered into intensive training program to maintain combat readiness and continued to fly electronic surveillance and intelligence missions. Also, it was announced by the United States and Thailand that of the 43,000 Americans and 500 aircraft stationed in Thailand, about 3,500 men and 100 aircraft would be withdrawn.
The F-4 and A-7 aircraft practiced bombing and intercept missions in western Thailand. A large exercise was held on the first Monday of every month, involving all USAF units in Thailand. "Commando Scrimmage" covered skills such as dogfighting, aerial refueling, airborne command posts and forward air controllers. These exercises were taken very seriously. The A-7D aircraft were pitted against the F-4 aircraft in dissimilar air combat exercises.
347th Tactical Fighter Wing
Two F-111A squadrons, the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron and 429th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing were transferred to Korat from
On
On 14-15 May 1975, aircraft assigned to Korat (3rd TFS A-7D, 34th TFS F-4E, 428th TFS F-111A and 16th SOS AC-130) provided air cover in what is considered the last battle of the Vietnam war, the recovery of the SS Mayaguez after it was hijacked by Cambodian communists.
USAF withdrawal
The drawdown at Korat RTAFB began in mid-1974.
On
The 354th Tactical Fighter Wing ended its rotating deployments to Korat on
The EC-130s and personnel of
The 552nd AEW&C returned to McClellan AFB CA in June 1974, ending the "College Eye" mission.
On
By December 1974, Korat's squadrons were as follows:
*388th Tactical Fighter Wing
**3d Tactical Fighter (A-7D Tail Code: JH)
**34th Tactical Fighter (F-4E Tail Code: JJ)
**16th Special Operations (AC-130 No Tail Code)
* 347th Tactical Fighter Wing (F-111A Tail Code: HG)
**428th Tactical Fighter (F-111A Tail Code: HG)
**429th Tactical Fighter (F-111A Tail Code: HG)
* 56th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron (HC-130P No Tail Code)
**The 56th ARRS was absorbed into the 40th ARRS which moved (along with its CH/HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant helicopters and personnel) from Nakhon Phanom RTAB in 1975.
The United States ended its involvement in Southeast Asia by treaty and disengagement rather than by military victory. After the fall of Saigon, relations between Washington and
On
At the end of 1975, there were only three combat squadrons at Korat, consisting of 24 F-4D's of the 34th TFS, 24 A-7D's of the 3rd TFS, and 6 AC-130 "Spectre" aircraft of the 16th Special Operations Squadron.
The 16th Special Operations Squadron returned to the states, transferring to Eglin AF Aux Airfield #9 (Hurlburt Field), FL, on
The 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron was transferred to Clark AB, Philippines on 15th December. At Clark, the A-7Ds were going to be formed as the 6014th TFS, however the A-7s were instead returned to CONUS for distribution to
The 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron remained part of the 388th TFW.
On
The USAF officially turned Korat over to the Royal Thai Government on
Major USAF Aircraft Assigned To Korat
*
*
*
* A-7D Corsair II
* C-121 Constellation
*
* AC-130 Spectre
*
Korat USAF Unit Emblem Gallery
Thai Air Force Use After 1975
After the US withdrawal in 1976, the Thai Air Force consolidated the equipment left by the departing USAF units in accordance with government-to-government agreements, and the RTAF assumed use of the base at Korat. The American withdrawal had quickly revealed to the Thai government the inadequacy of its air force in the event of a conventional war in Southeast Asia. Accordingly, in the 1980s the government allotted large amounts of money for the purchase of modern aircraft and spare parts.
Thirty-eight F-5E and F-5F fighter-bombers purchased from the Northrop Corporation formed the nucleus of the Thai air force's defense and tactical firepower. The F-5Es were accompanied by training teams of American civilian and military technicians, who worked with members of the Thai air force.
In addition to the F-5E and F-5F fighter-bombers, OV-10C aircraft, transports, and helicopters were added to the air force equipment inventory. In 1985 the United States Congress authorized the sale of the F-16 fighter to Thailand.
By the late 1980s, Korat, Takhli, and Don Muang Air Base outside Bangkok, which the air force shared with civil aviation, were the primary operational holdings of the RTAF. Maintenance of the facilities at other bases abandoned by the United States proved too costly and exceeded Thai needs and were turned over to the Department of Civil Aviation for civil use. Nonetheless, all runways were still available for military training and emergency use.
ee also
*
*
*
*
References
* Endicott, Judy G. (1999) Active Air Force wings as of 1 October 1995; USAF active flying, space, and missile squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. CD-ROM.
* Glasser, Jeffrey D. (1998). The Secret Vietnam War: The United States Air Force in Thailand, 1961-1975. McFarland & Company. ISBN 0786400846.
* Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN 0887405134.
* Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0912799129.
* [http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present]
* [http://www.rtaf.mi.th/eng The Royal Thai Air Force (English Pages)]
* [http://www.scramble.nl/th.htm Royal Thai Air Force - Overview]
Footnotes
External links
Korat squadron links
* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/wwwroot/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0007accs.html 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron]
* [http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/7002/12tfs.html 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron]
* [http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/7002/13tfs.html 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron]
* [http://www.airwarvietnam.com/16sos.htm 16th Special Operations Squadron]
* [http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/7002/17wws.html 17th Wild Weasel Squadron]
* [http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/7002/34tfs.html 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/7002/36tfs.html 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/42accs.htm 42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron]
* [http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/7002/44tfs.html 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/7002/67tfs.html 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/7002/421tfs.html 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron]
* [http://www.f-111.net/F-111A/F-111A-in-SEA.htm 428th & 429th Tactical Fighter Squadrons]
* [http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/7002/469tfs.html 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron]
* [http://www.dean-boys.com/552/552NDWG.HTM 552d Aircraft Early Warning and Control Wing]
* [http://personalpages.tdstelme.net/~westin/batcat0.htm 553rd Reconnaissance Wing]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/7002/6010wws.html 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron]
Other Korat links
* [http://home.pcisys.net/~jjwilson/photos.html Photos Of Camp Friendship - US Army Support Command, Thailand]
* [http://www.fescanphoto.com/korat/index.htm My 1966-67 photos on base and off base action.]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3227/maya.htm Retaking The Mayagüez - The final battle of the Vietnam War]
* [http://www.rtaf.mi.th/eng/ Official Royal Thai Air Force Website]
* [http://www.hill.af.mil/388fw/ Hill AFB, Utah. Home of the 388th FW]
* [http://www.frontiernet.net/~freitag/Korat/index.html The Vietnam War Years of Korat Royal Thai Air Base website]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LP7cd_ft0bo Korat Air Base Thailand and Camp Friendship 1965-1970 (Video)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItPlR0LslOw&NR=1 Life on Korat AFB (Video)]