Vung Tau Air Base

Vung Tau Air Base - Vietnam

UPDATED: 28 Dec 04

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Stories of the base and assigned units will be posted here.

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Bell Cobra

Vung Tau Army Airfield (VTAA) was the home of two U.S. Caribou squadrons (approx. 16 planes each) from 1964 until mid 1970. The planes, designated CV-2, were originally under the control of US Army's 57th and 61st Aviation Companies. As part of an inter-service agreement they were transferred to USAF in January 1967 and redesigned C-7 and C-7A. The two squadrons at VTAA were taken over by the 535th and 536th Tactical Airlift Sqs., which were part of the 483rd Tactical Airlift Wing. In July 1970 the two squadrons were moved from VTAA to Wing headquarters at Cam Ranh Bay, closing out the major USAF presence at VTAA. Another US Army aviation outfit stationed at VTAA was the 73rd Surveillance Aircraft Company (SAC) which flew the Grumman OV-1 "Mohawk." They were housed at the north end of the field.

Courtesy of Doug Lamerson

UNITS	Other Information
57th Aviation Company	Flew CV-2's
61st Aviation Company	Flew CV-2's
73rd Surveillance Aircraft Company (SAC)	Flew Grumman OV-1 "Mohawk" Aircraft
535th Tactical Airlift Squadron	Flew C-7's
536th Tactical Airlift Squadron	Flew C-7's

Aircraft at Vung Tau

Note: If you know the unit or have information on any aircraft seen on this site please contact me via the mailboxes at the bottom of the pages.

Type	Serial Number	Other Information
L-23D	58-3052	Dec 1970 Note: "L-23D." By 1970 this aircraft had been redesignated by US Army as "RU-8D." It likely belonged to the 146th Avn. Co.(RR) stationed at Long Thanh Airfield located about 50 km NW of Vung Tau on Hwy. 15. The plane was probably transiting VTAA as they were never assigned there. The 146th was a "Radio Research" unit that attempted to locate Charlie by eavesdropping. The plane is notable for the wing-tip dipole antennas that were part of the receiving system. I worked on these planes under contract to a civilian company after I mustered out of USAF. Information Courtesy of Doug Lamerson
C-7	62-4168	"KL" 536th TAS - Dec 1969
C-7	63-9738	"KH" 535th TAS - Dec 1969
0-1	0-72803	Dec 1970
0-2	21413	Dec 1970
0-2		O-2 "Snoopy" FAC from Det#5 19th TASS. November 1969
AH-1G		AH-1G Cobra gunship. January 1970
CH-47's		US Army Chinooks - 1967
		Chinook lifting a UH-1 - 9 Jun 70
C-130A	A97-216	RAAF - Dec 1970
C-130E	A97-177	RAAF - Dec 70
Iroquois Chinook	A2-768	RAAF - Jul 70 U.S. Army
UH-1H		RAAF - Jun 70
		RAAF 355 Squadron - Maintenance Flight
		402 Landing
		483 Hangar
		US Army U-1 Otter, U-6 Beaver, and 0-1 Birddogs in revetments - Oct 1970
		Air Traffic Control Tower - Nov 1969
		Air Traffic Control Tower - Tower complex after pullout, under ostensible VNAF control. 1973
		Flightline
		Friendly ALCE - Former "Friendly" ALCE (Airlift Control Element)site which managed cargo and passanger movements through the aerial port, seen after pullout. Note roof has been scavenged. 1973.
		USAF C-7 Caribou Aircraft Landing on Runway #12 Feb 1970
		Cargo/Passenger loading pad with 2 USAF C-7 Caribou and 2 VNAF C-47's. Oct 1970
		Photo Shop
		US Army 330th Transportation Company Oct 1970
		RAG Hangar - Collapsed after US pullout. 1973
		Red Horse - Barracks area for USAF Caribou 483rd TAW maintenance personnel. November 1969
		Airfield Windsock - Mid-field wind sock after US pullout. 1973
		Building T-250 - "Red Horse" barracks #250 after US pullout. 1973
		Building T-375 - USAF supply building after pullout. Note inscription above door. 1973 Sign at the peak of the building say - Constructed by 535? CE? Vietnamese and Sgt Cook 196?
UH-1C		RAAF Gunship - Dec 70

Vung Tau - 2002

I made a return visit to Vung Tau. There is absolutely no trace of the infrastructure we built at the airfield. Everything is gone except for the tower and the old French hangars at the south end which pre-dated our arrival and are seen in the pics of the 330 Trans Co. The airfield is now used only for rotary wing operations to support the off-shore oil rigs. There is an 8 foot wall all the way around the perimeter and entry is prohibited. They get ticked off if they see you attempting to take photos.

Doug Lamerson

Always looking for Material and Scans of "Anything" related to Flying Units to add to this site.

Questions or Comments?