Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base: Difference between revisions

Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force. It is the home of the 1st RTAF Wing, consisting of 3 (101, 102, 103) squadrons. Korat has a single 9,800 + foot runway with a single, full-length parallel taxiway.

Korat RTAFB is in central Thailand, located approximately 157 miles (250 km) northeast of Bangkok and about 5 miles (8 km) south of Nakhon Ratchasima (also known as Khorat or Korat), the third largest city in Thailand,

Korat was a front-line facility of the United States Air Force (USAF) during the Vietnam War from 1962 through 1975. The USAF forces at Korat were under the command of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).

The mission of the base was to conduct operations in support of U.S. commitments in Southeast Asia North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos). During the Vietnam War, pilots from Korat RTAFB primarily flew interdiction, direct air support, armed reconnaissance and fighter escort missions.

It was the primarily Headquarters (HQ) for the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. Various parking areas and aprons alternately held both permanent and TDY/transient aircraft of all types.

The APO for Korat was APO San Francisco, 96288

USAF Aircraft stationed at Korat were: AC-130H, F-4C/D/E/G, F-105D/F/G, A-7D, EB-66, RB-66, EC-121R, HH-43, HU-16,

The USAF mission at Korat 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 persons 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 31 July 1964, the 6441st Tactical Fighter Wing at Yokota AB, Japan deployed 18 F-105D "Thunderchiefs" of the 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Korat on 11 August and commenced operations the following day. The 36th TFS remained at Korat until 29 October then returned to Japan.

From 30 October through 31 December 1964, F-105's from the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron were deployed from the 41st Air Division at Yokota AB, Japan.

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 TDY (Temporary Duty) basis from 18 Dec 1964–25 Feb 1965, 21 Apr–22 Jun 1965, and 10–29 Oct 1965.

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 3 May Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) special order.

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.

F-105D's of the 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron from the 8th TFW, Kadena AB Japan were TDY at Korat between 8 Feb–15 Mar 1965 and 15 Jun–25 Aug 1965. Also from the 8th TFW was the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron, deployed between 18 Feb–26 Apr 1965 and 16 Aug–23 Oct 1965.

On 12 June 1965, the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron arrived from McConnell AFB, KS with additional F-105D's on 12 June 1965. On 8 November 1965 it was reassigned to Takhli RTAFB, Thailand, Thailand.

The 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron remained on TDY at Korat until 15 November 1965 when it was permanently assigned to the 6234th.

On 25 July 1965, the 68th Tactical Fighter Squadron was deployed to Korat from the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, George AFB, CA. The 68th TFW flew the F-4C "Phantom". It returned back to George AFB on 6 December.

Beginning in the fall of 1965 the rotation of temporary squadrons ceased with the permanent assignments of several CONUS squadrons.

The 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying F-105D's, was permanently assigned to Korat from 388th Tactical Fighter Wing. then at McConnell AFB, KS on 8 November. On 20 November, the 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron was permanently assigned from the 835th Air Division, Kadena AB, Okinawa, also equipped with F-105Ds.

In 1965, the 6234th TFW and its subordinate units operating F-105s and F-4Cs flew 10,797 sorties totaling 26,165 hours. The wing's efforts merited the Presidential Unit Citation in March 1968.

On 8 April 1966 the 6234th (P) TFW was redesigned the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, being reassigned to Korat from McConnell AFB, Kansas. Upon activation the 388th absorbed the personnel and resources of the 6234th.

Units assigned to the 388th TFW upon activation were:

• 421st Tactical Fighter (F-105D)
• 469th Tactical Fighter (F-105D)

On 15 May 1966, two additonal 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)
• 13th Tactical Fighter (F-105F)

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 Royal Thai Air Force, and a compliment of Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Bristol Freighters. The annual cost for base operations and maintenance was about $12,000,000. The monthly average expenditure for munitions was on the order of $4,360,000.

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 23 April 1967, the 421st TFS was redesignated the 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron and during October 1967 the 44th TFS absorbed the mission and makeup of 13th TFS. The 13th was transferred to Udon RTAFB to become an F-4D Phantom unit.

The 44th TFSs' primary mission became one of flying escort to the wing's regular strike force to suppress Anti Aircraft Artillery (AAA) and surface-to-air missile (SAM)s.

On 20 October 1967, due to the high attrition rate it was suffering, the 13th TFS was transferred to Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base as an F-4D Phantom II squadron. Its aircraft and personnel were absorbed by the 44th TFS.

The 388th's table of organization now became (November 1967):

• 44th Tactical Fighter (F-105D/F)
• 469th Tactical Fighter (F-105D)

On 17 November 1968, an F-4E Phantom squadron from Eglin AFB, FL, replaced the single-seat F-105E Thunderchiefs of the 469th TFS. The new Phantom squadron, the first E-models in Thailand, retained the designation 469th TFS. These F-4E's flew with the F-105F's with the older F-105's being a 'target' for the SAM operators, while the F-4's would take out the SAM radar once it locked onto the F-105.

On 10 October 1969, the F-105s of the 44th TFS were transferred to Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base. The 44th flew out of Takhli until 10 December 1970 when it was deactivated. Hoever, in November 1970, F-105s returned to Korat when the 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron, flying specially equipped F-105G model Thunderchiefs, was formed. It was redesigned the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron on 1 December 1971.

The two-seat F-105F/G's were utilized primarily for the Weasel role. The AN/APR 25 set was added, and the new AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missile was fitted to make it a formidable SAM killer. The Shrike missile was a short range, passive missile, which locked on to the signals emanating from the SAM's radar to guide it to its target.

Also in November 1970, the 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (TEWS), which flew EB-66s, transferred to Korat from Takhli. The EB-66C/E flew radar and communications jamming missions to disrupt enemy defenses and early warning capabilities.

The 388th's table of organization now became (December 1970):

• 6010th/17th Tactical Fighter (F-105G)
• 469th Tactical Fighter (F-4E)
• 42d TEWS (EB-66)

On 1 December 1971 the 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (ACCS) was assigned to the 388th TFW from Udon RTAFB and began flying missions in its EC-130E "Hercules" aircraft, which were equipped with command and control capsules. The 7th ACCS played an extremely important role in the conduct of air operations. During the action in Southeast Asia, the squadron had a minimum of two aircraft airborne 24 hours a day directing and coordinating the effective employment of tactical air resources throughout SEA.

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 Wild Weasel version of the Phantom. It was a modified version of the F-4C, designed in parallel with the F-105G Wild Weasel program. The EF-4Cs suffered from certain deficiencies which limited their combat effectiveness. For example, they were unable to carry the Standard ARM. Consequently, the EF-4C was seen only as an interim Wild Weasel aircraft, pending the introduction of a more suitable type. In February 1973, after the end combat operations in Vietnam, the 67th TFS with it's EF-4C "Wild Weasles" were withdrawn and returned to Kadena.

On 12 June 1972, the 35th Tactical Fighter Squadron flying F-4D's was deployed from the 3rd TFW, Kusan AB, South Korea. They remained until 10 Oct 1972 when they returned to Korea.

By August 1972, the 388th TFW's squadrons were as follows:

• 17th Tactical Fighter (F-105G)
• 17th ACCS (EC-130E)
• 469th Tactical Fighter (F-4E)
• 42d TEWS (EB-66)
• 67th Tactical Fighter (EC-4C) (TDY)
• 35th Tactical Fighter (F-4D)

354th Tactical Fighter Wing

On 29 September 1972, the 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Myrtle Beach AFB SC, was ordered to deploy 72 A-7D Corsair II of the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron and the 356th Tactical Fighter Squadron to Korat for a 179-day Temporary Duty (TDY). By mid-October, 1,574 airmen from Myrtle Beach had arrived. The A-7D assumed the SAR (Search and rescue) role. In addition, the 354th deployed some personnel to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam. The 354th generated about 50 sorties each day.

The 354th TFW at Korat was actually a composite wing. 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 TDY assignments to Korat from these CONUS bases until early 1974.

An expansion of combat operations from Korat initiated with the arrival of EC-121 "Constellations" of the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing and Det 1, 552nd Airborne Early Warning and Control Wing (ADC). Initial support team personnel arrived at Korat on 20 September 1967. Less then a month later, on 19 October the first seven EC-121R aircraft arrived. The EC-121s provided airborne radar coverage and surveillance in support of aircraft flying combat operations.

The EC-121's mission was named "College Eye". It was to interdict and reduce the flow of supplies from North Vietnam down the Ho Chi Minh trail to the NVA soldiers and Viet Cong insurgents in South Vietnam. Their primary objective was to create an anti-vehicle barrier. If the vehicles could be stopped, then a major quantity of enemy supplies would be halted.

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.

Combat reconnaissance missions of the 552nd began on November 25, 1967. These missions normally required the aircraft to be on station for 8 hours. Including transit time to and from station, an average flight was typically about 10 hours.

In November 1970. the 553rd RS and it's two squadrons (552nd & 553rd) returned to Otis AFB MA.

The 552nd AEW&C remained at Korat until June 1974 when it returned to McClellan AFB CA, ending the "College Eye" mission at the end of the US involvement in the war.

One of the most dangerous missions flown by the pilots of the 469th TFS was "Iron Hand". The purpose of an Iron Hand mission was to suppress and/or destroy enemy surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites.

The mission of Wild Weasel aircrews generally falls into two roles -- Iron Hand to suppress; Wild Weasel to destroy.

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, AGM-45 Shrike missiles were employed to destroy, or at least harass, the SA-2 and/or fire control RADAR which guided the SA-2 missiles.

The Paris Peace Accords were signed on January 27, 1973 by the governments of North Vietnam, South Vietnam, and the United States with the intent to establish 'peace' in Vietnam. The accords effectively ended United States military operations in North and South Vietnam. Laos and Cambodia, however, were not signatories to the Paris agreement and remained in states of war with their internal rebel forces.

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 17 April, the USAF flew its last mission over Laos, working a handful of targets requested by the Laotian government.

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.

In Cambodia there was no peace in 1973. Local Communist insurgents of the Khmer Rouge kept up their attacks on the Cambodian capitol, Phnom Penh, so the Cambodian Government urgently called upon the U.S. for help and the USAF in Thailand was ordered to carry out a massive bombing campaign against the insurgents on the outskirts of the city.

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 it's attacks.

Congressional pressure in Washington grew against these bombings, and on 30 June 1973, the United States Congress passed Public law PL 93-50 and 93-52, which cut off all funds for combat in Cambodia and all of Indochina effective 15 August 1973. Air strikes by the USAF peaked just before the deadline, as the Cambodian Army engaged a force of about 10,000 Khmer Rouge rebels that encircled Phnom Penh.

At 1100 hours (local), 15 August 1973, the congressionally mandated cutoff went into effect, bringing combat activities over the skies of Cambodia to an end. A-7 and F-4's from Korat flew strike missions sometimes less than 10 miles (16 km) from Phnom Penh that morning before the cutoff. The final day marked the conclusion of an intense 160-day campaign, during which the USAF expended 240,000 tons of bombs.

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 Khemer 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.

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.

The drawdown at Korat RTAFB began in mid-1974.

On 15 March 1974, the EB-66's of the 42nd Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron were reassigned to Clark AB, Philippines.

The 354th TFW ended it's rotating deployments to Korat on 23 May 1974 and returned it's A-7D squadrons (353rd and 355th TFS) and aircraft to Myrtle Beach SC.

The EC-130s and personnel of 7th ACCS moved to Clark AB, Philippines on 22 May 1974.

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 Takhli RTAFB on 12 July 1974.

On 19 July 1974, the 16th Special Operations Squadron was assigned to Korat from Udon RTAFB. This was an AC-130 "Spectre" gunship squadron which was TDY in Thailand from the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing at Kusan AB, South Korea.

On 15 November 1974, the F-105F/G's of the 17th WWWS were withdrawn and transferred to George AFB, CA.

In March and April 1975, aircraft of the 388th TFW provided air cover and escort during the evacuation of Americans from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and of Americans and selected Vietnamese from Saigon, South Vietnam.

On 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 Mayagüez after it was highjacked by Cambodian communists.

The United States ended it's involvement in Southeast Asia by treaty and disengagement rather than by military victory. After the fall of Saigon, relations between Washington and Bangkok turned sour. In May 1975, the Royal Thai Government asked the United States to remove all of it's combat forces (27,000 troops, 300 aircraft) by 1976.

On 30 June 1975, the 347th TFW F-111A's and their two squadrons (428th and 429th TFS) were deactivated. The F-111's returned to the US. The 347th became an F-4 Wing at Moody AFB, GA.

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 SOS returned to the states, transferring to Eglin AF Aux Airfield #9 (Hurlburt Field), FL, on 12 Dec 1975

The 3rd TFS was transferred to Clark AB, Philippines on 15th December. At Clark, the 3rd TFS was dissolved and some of the A-7's returned to Nellis AFB, Nevada, assigned to the 4450th Tactical Group. At Nellis, the A-7's were flown by the 4451st Tactical Squadron (P-Unit). They were flown as the cover story for the development of the F-117A, being used for pilot training before any F-117A's had been delivered, later the A-7D's were used to chase F-117A tests and other weapon tests at the Nellis Range.

The 34th TFS was deactivated and its F-4E aircraft were assigned to ANG and reserve squadrons.

On 23 December 1975, the 388th TFW made a name-only transfer to Hill AFB, Utah. The USAF retained a small flight of security police at Korat to insure base security and to deter theft of equpiment until the final return of the base to the Thai government.

The USAF officially turned Korat over to the Royal Thai Government on 26 February 1976.

Korat is an active Thai Air Force Base. Currently, it is the home of the 1st RTAF Wing, consisting of 3 (101, 102, 103) squadrons, flying F-16A/B Fighting Falcons.

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 largely abandoned. Nonetheless, all runways were still available for training and emergency use.

Starting in 1998, the USAF returned to Korat for "Cope Tiger", 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 Japan. The flying training portion of the exercise promotes closer relations and enables air force units in the region to sharpen air combat skills and practice interoperability with U.S. Forces. Pilots fly both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat training missions.

American pilots fly F-15C/D Eagles , F/A-18C Hornets , F-16C Fighting Falcons , E-3B Sentry Sentry Airborne Warning and Control Systems (AWACS), and KC-135 Stratotankers.

Thai Forces fly F-16A/B Fighting Falcons, F-5E Tigers and Ground Attack L-39's

Singapore forces fly F-5E and F-16A/B Fighting Falcons.

More than 1,100 people participate, including approximately 500 U.S. servicemembers and 600 servicemembers from Thailand and Singapore.

USAF Aircraft Assigned To Korat RTAFB

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File:F111a-korat-347th.jpg

Korat RTAFB Patches

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• United States Air Force In Thailand

• Glasser, Jeffrey D.: The Secret Vietnam War. The United States Air Force in Thailand, 1961-1975 (1995).

• Martin, Patrick, Tail Code: The Complete History Of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings, 1994

• Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings: Linege and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Office OF Air Force History, United States Air Force, 1984

• Republic F-105 Thunderchief
  • F-105D
  • F-105F
  • F-105G

• McDonnell F-4 Phantom II
  • F-4C
  • F-4D
  • F-4E
  • EF-4C

• Douglas EB-66C/D Destroyer

• Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star

• Ling-Temco-Vought A-7D Corsair II

• General Dynamics F-111A Aardvark

• Lockheed C-130
  • EC-130
  • AC-130A

• 7th Airborne Command and Control Squadron

• 12th Tactical Fighter Squadron

• 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron

• 16th Special Operations Squadron

• 17th Wild Weasel Squadron

• 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron

• 36th Tactical Fighter Squadron

• 42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron

• 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron

• 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron

• 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron

• 428th & 429th Tactical Fighter Squadrons

• 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron

• 552d Aircraft Early Warning and Control Wing

• 553rd Reconnaissance Wing

• 6010th Wild Weasel Squadron

• Photos Of Camp Friendship - US Army Support Command, Thailand

• Retaking The Mayagüez - The final battle of the Vietnam War

• Official Royal Thai Air Force Website

• Hill AFB, Utah. Home of the 388th FW

• Template:WAD
• Maps and aerial photography: 14°55′59″N 102°04′59″E / 14.933°N 102.083°E / 14.933; 102.083