Red Rocket is a determinate tomato variety that is well-suited to hot, muggy climates like those found south of Memphis. Mesco, Jim (1987) VNAF Republic of Vietnam Air Force 19451975 Squadron/Signal Publications. Other units stationed at Camp Enari included: Hensel Airfield was named after WO-1 Ernest Hensel a 10th Cavalry helicopter gunship pilot who was killed in action on 17 February 1967.[1]:5219. It took over the duties of the provisional Seventh Air Force 6234th Air Base Squadron which had managed construction and other activities at the base after the SVNAF moved to Nha Trang. Batumi Adjar Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, Del Rio Texas Laughlin Air Force Base USA, U-Tapao Royal Thai Air Force Base Thailand. Original article: THIS IS A FULL Collection of 4 pages of FIRE BASES, AIR FORCE BASES, Naval and Medical, BROWN WATER Naval, and any and all bases DOD during the Vietnam War 1963 to 1975. President Thieu and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam seated. Seven Americans were killed in the attacks. Camp Holloway Pleiku Vietnam My Army and Vietnam Timeline Headhunter To Catkiller In early1965 I was out of school working a part time job as a bagger in a local grocery market and knew I. Pleiku Air Base is a former air force base in Vietnam. Estler's Mortgage Lifter is ideal for growing in northern climates due to its ability to withstand cooler temperatures better than other varieties. (Courtesy Photo), The U.S. Army Transportation Museum at JBLE-Eustis is closed until Dec. 7 due to lobby construction. - Veteran J. Reuter. The Japanese Ambassador makes a speech at a podium. The 62d Wing was moved to Nha Trang Air Base in January 1965 where expansion of its air units could be supported more easily, leaving behind a detachment of support aircraft. Military Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. A large number of soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division lined up on a field. A base was first established in December 1964 by the 5th Special Forces Group Detachment A-214 to monitor communist infiltration along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. They set fire to it. Plei Djereng Camp also known as Plei Djereng Special Forces Camp is a former US. By early 1968, the area around Pleiku had become a huge cluster of bases. PLEIKU -- By direction of the Secretary of the Army, the Valorous Unit Citation has been awarded to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 52d Artillery Group, and its assigned and attached units, according to a recent announcement. This involved bench testing radios and communications equipment, including equipment for secure/coded communications. Today, the facility has been redeveloped as Pleiku Airport. List of aircraft of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, United States military bases of the Vietnam War. The following year, the Viet Cong (VC) 409 th Battalion attacked Camp Holloway (an American helicopter base) in Pleiku on February 6, while the VC 30 th Company attacked a South Vietnam Army base on February 7. The mission partners on Pleiku never couldve completed their missions without the support of the 633rd, said Ryan Collins, 633rd Air Base Wing historian. [13], In March 1970 the USAF began handing the base over to the RVNAF and this transfer was completed by the end of 1970. Plieku is a market town in the central highlands of Vietnam. Pleiku Air Base is a former air force base in Vietnam. Camp Enari also known as Dragon Mountain Base Camp and Hensel Airfield is a former US. SP/4 Glenn Fannin enjoying a little off duty time, rare, in a traditional . The deadline for sending in seeds was October 15th, but there are still plenty of ways to get involved. (AP Photo) A man comes out of the well. The Central Highlands area in South Vietnam, consisting of 12 provinces, and the largest of the four corps in size. [2]:275, In late 1964 a detachment of two Kaman HH-43 Huskie (B variants) were stationed at the base for rescue and local search and rescue. [2]:273 During the construction period, a Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase was made on 6 February 1965. Early Sweet Pepper Varieties: Which is Best for Your Climate and Taste? No aircraft were lost in the air, but three A-37s at Pleiku were destroyed by 122mm rockets on 11 March when the PAVN rocketed the airfield. A large number of soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division lined up on a field. This led to Johnson authorizing the use of strategic bombing of the North by the U.S. Air Force, an . Three miles north Pleiku, on the site of the 'former New Pleiku Air Base' is a regional airport, with flights to and from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Danang. 1. The large aircraft parking ramp remains but is largely abandoned, along with the jet taxiway which is unused. Pleiku Air Base: Base Map. Major General Peers in a jeep as it drives away. Plieku is a market town in the central highlands of Vietnam. Life on the base - Pleiku Barracks Hangout Silouette & Skyline View of the Mountains Red Dust Everywhere Twighlight & Fog EM Club & Long View Barracks Maid Good as Gold Taking in the view on a bunker Perimeter Bunkers Chopper coming to join the party Football! During the conflict in Vietnam, U.S. Army Engineers played a significant role in support of U.S. and allied forces, both in construction and in combat. Pleiku AB about Feb 1968. In January 1965 the 62nd Wing and a detachment of the 516th Fighter Squadron moved to Nha Trang Air Base. The attack killed nine U.S. servicemen and wounded 128 others which led to the sending of conventional American combat forces to Vietnam. The 633rd Special Operations Wing was activated at Pleiku on 15 July 1968. During the four-day battle the VNAF flew over 200 sorties, inflicting heavy losses on the NVA, but to no avail. The Ukrainian Tribute Growout is a great opportunity for tomato lovers to get their hands on some unique and delicious varieties. Army base east of Pleiku in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam. Pleiku Air Base was little more than an undeveloped air strip in December 1962 when it was designated by the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF) as Air Base 62. Douglas A-1G Skyraider drop two Mk.82 bomb on open flat terrain in support of Operation MacArthur in Vietnam. It is a work in progress so if your base is not listed, please inform the website owner to get it added. On January 5, 1967, Viet-Cong forces attacked the perimeter and overran the South Vietnamese army outpost. From May, 1966 to June, 1972, Fort Lewis trained 302,000 soldiers and deployed them overseas, including the 4th and 9th Divisions. The RVNAF established the 72d Tactical Wing at the base with the 530th Fighter Squadron equipped with A-1 Skyraiders, along with two UH-1H helicopter assault squadrons (229th, 235th) and the 118th Liaison Squadron, with Cessna O-2A, U-17 forward air controller/light reconnaissance aircraft. [1] President Thieu walks past crates of Japanese medical supplies. During their time at Pleiku, the 633rd Air Police Squadron defended the base against guerilla forces. The troops blow up the barracks of US military advisors at Pleiku, killing 8 Americans and wounding 126. The former base facility has been torn down and a few streets remain, the land now being used for agriculture; a few of the former base buildings remain in use. Through an action as simple as a handshake, former President Jimmy Carter made an enormous impact on countless lives in and out of office. Using VHP Material in Publication or Exhibition. The aviation battalion has had four commanding officers in the last four months. [10][8]:243 The squadron relocated to Nha Trang Air Base on 1 November 1967. The 633d Wing inactivated on 15 March 1970. The fruits of this plant are large and can weigh over one pound. The first United States Air Force unit to move to Pleiku AB on a permanent basis was the 633d Combat Support Group, which was activated on 14 March 1966. A visit by South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu, Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky and others to Pleiku Air Base in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Pleiku Air Base is a former air force base in Vietnam. No aircraft were lost in the air, but three A-37s at Pleiku were destroyed by 122mm rockets on 11 March when the NVA rocketed the airfield. Location: Pleiku South Vietnam Date: 1968 Duration: 2 min 37 sec Sound: No Color: Color Clip Type: Unedited Language: None Clip: 65675075474 Douglas A-1G Skyraider drop two Mk.82 bomb on open flat terrain in support of Operation MacArthur in Vietnam. ft. and 1,654 rolls of microfilm. After the 1973 Paris Peace Accords, Pleiku Air Base became a center of reconnaissance in the Central Highlands, with the SVNAF monitoring communist activity and treaty violations. 300th RRC - Pleiku Vietnam 1968-1970. The 633rd Special Operations Wing was activated at Pleiku on 15 July 1968. RVN (Republic of Vietnam) soldiers stand in formation at Pleiku Air Base. Their main customers were the 1st Air Cav at An Khe, the provincial capital of Pleiku in the Central Highlands, and a Republic of Korea army base located at Song Cau. Life of natives in a village in Pleiku, Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Schiffer Military Aviation History. The 633rd Dispensary provided critical care and defended against deadly tropical diseases in the country. In Pleiku, Vietnam 1968, the U.S. Military owned the day but "Charlie" owned the night. The 633rd supported many different units: the 1st Air Commando Squadron, a flying unit of 25 A-1 Skyraiders and four U-10 Super Couriers, the 9th Air Commando Squadron, which flew 18 O-2 Skymasters and six C-47 Skytrains, and the U.S. Armys 4th Infantry Division. Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam. DVD of Bikinis & Buccaneers which includes a soundtrack from AFVN Radio. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam ARVN base northwest of Pleiku in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. They set fire to it. Also troubleshot issues on the aircraft including O-2, AC-47, various A-1 (single and 2- seat), and the odd [C-130], AC-130, or AC-119 that came through.. U.S. air strikes in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It's easiest to create a Word docume, Get Free Seeds & Taste the Delicious Flavor of Estler's Mortgage Lifter with Edweather's Generous Offer, Estler's Mortgage Lifter is an heirloom tomato variety developed by William Estler in the mid-1920s. At Pleiku airfield sixty-four aircraft were abandoned with little effort to destroy them before evacuating and large quantities of fuel and ordnance were left behind undamaged and ready for the PAVN to use. By Aviel Smolka asmolka@newsargus.com. It was reassigned 1 January 1972 and moved to Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas.[9]. ft. 472.3 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS OF THE U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND VIETNAM (MACV) 1958-73 2,270 lin. President Johnson orders immediate reprisals as 49 US Navy jets attack North Vietnam. Many American officials had been pushing for more stiff action against North Vietnam and this attack was seen as a good reason to finally take action. A girl mills banana leaves. North Vietnam retaliated by attacking bases in South Vietnam. But much of time we would just hang at the fire station on off days because thats where the action was.. Over those years, an OCE (Office of the Chief of Engineers) Liaison Officer routinely traveled to . On quieter days, there were also unique opportunities for Airmen and Soldiers to relax. VIETNAM Pleiku AB Map. Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. President Johnson covered his national security advisors inviting Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield and Speaker of the House John McCormack. After the seizure of the base by the North Vietnamese in 1975, the captured South Vietnamese military aircraft were either destroyed or flown out to other airfields and Pleiku Air Base was abandoned, apparently remaining so for many years. Our website is dedicated to the preservation of our memories and experiences in the highlands of II Corp, Pleiku, South Vietnam. It was a joint-service base, with units from the Army, Navy, Marines stationed there as well as the Air Force, which operated and maintained the base. President Johnson orders immediate reprisals, as 49 US Navy jets attack North Vietnam. According to retired Senior Master Sgt. When these attacks failed to draw a military response from Washington, the PAVN staged an attack on Ban Me Thuot in the Central Highlands. The VNAF 1141st Observation Squadron moved to Pleiku from Da Nang Air Base in January 1965, and a detachment of Douglas A-1 Skyraiders from Bien Hoa Air Base resided there for close air support capability. 1996-2022 Historycentral.com Inc. All Rights Reserved. Images from my collection photographer unknown A U.S. 1st Air Cavalry Division soldiers leaps to the ground from a helicopter prevented from landing by debris of trees shattered by blistering artillery bombardment and air strikes near Pleiku, Vietnam on April 29, 1966 during the Vietnam War. Pleiku Air Base is a former air force base in Vietnam. This article is converted from Wikipedia: Attack on Camp Holloway. Eight US soldiers were killed and as many as 100 were wounded. 1967 Viet-Cong forces attacked the perimeter and overran the South Vietnamese army outpost. I was a strike team leader for "C" flight, 633rd Security Police Squadron, Pleiku AB, the night of 5/6 Jan 1967. IV Corps ZA 182-527 Pleiku Ammo Supply Point Plei Mrong Rd. On the bottom right you can see the approach lights of the Pleiku Air Base. During its active service, the 633d flew combat missions, including air support for ground forces, air cover for transports, day and night interdiction, combat search and rescue support, armed reconnaissance, and forward air control. These aircraft were equipped with various electronic warfare components. Terms & Conditions | Three miles outside of the city the US maintain a base called Camp Galloway. The unit was originally designated as the 633rd Combat Support Group when it was activated at Pleiku in April 1966. Major General William R. Peers and General Charles P. stone in a jeep as they troop the line. Sgt. After his military career he served as an Army Librarian in Europe and as the . Camp Enari was established near Dragon Mountain (Ni Hm Rng) and Highway 19, 12 km southeast of Pleiku. The 6th ACS was designated as the 6th Special Operations Squadron on 1 August 1968. It was seized by the Vietnam People's Army in March 1975 and was then abandoned for many years. Band at the parade. Topographical map of Pleiku, in the central highlands of Vietnam. This page was last edited on 16 January 2023, at 10:21. . Thanks VetFriends. [10] During its active service, the 9th ACS flew combat missions, including air support for ground forces, air cover for transports, day and night interdiction, combat search and rescue support, armed reconnaissance, and forward air control. Privacy Policy2023 CriticalPast LLC. The A-1 equipped 1st Air Commando Squadron moved to Pleiku on 1 January 1966 from Bien Hoa Air Base where it had operated as part of Farm Gate. It is a low acid tomato with a unique flavor that has been described as sweet, yet slightly tangy. Ten US aircraft were destroyed. Mikesh, Robert C. (2005) Flying Dragons: The Republic of Vietnam Air Force. On May 15, 1967, the unit was redesignated as the 633rd Security Police Squadron, receiving additional equipment for their enhanced force protection mission. The VC forces also attacked nearby. About Us | Ajvarski, Donkey's Ear, Gatherer's Gold, Jimmy Nardello, Lipstick, Melrose, Gypsy F1 hybrid, Mareko Fana, Stocky Red Roaster, Red Wonder, Little Bells and Sirenevyi are all discussed here. ZA 202-341 to 351 CATECKA PLEIKU AIRFIELD 10-12km NE Oasis AF ZA 207-345 "THE STADIUM" Along QL19B 6km WSW intersect QL19/QL14 ZA 21-35 Catecka Base Camp - Adj. South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu reviews RVN (Republic of Vietnam) troops at Pleiku Air Base in Vietnam. General Peers being decorated at the change of command of 4th Infantry Division in Pleiku, South Vietnam. The CSG supported multiple units on Pleiku, including the 1st and 9th Air Commando Squadrons and the U.S. Armys 4th Infantry Division. Omissions? It lies in a mountainous region inhabited mainly by Bahnar and Jarai peoples, sometimes referred to as Montagnards (French: Mountain Dwellers). Life on the base - Pleiku. The remaining photos are within the. Location: Pleiku South Vietnam Date: 1966, April 23 Duration: 1 min 8 sec Sound: No Color: Color Clip Type: Unedited Language: None Clip: 65675058786 United states A-1E aircraft sin flight and lands at Pleiku air base in Vietnam. (Courtesy Photo), U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Bill Thompson, 633rd Civil Engineer Squadron firefighter, poses with his ramp patrol vehicle at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam, Oct. 1967. Web Template Donated By Templates In Time - Web Development Donated By davidcdalton.com, 229th/235th Helicopter Squadron Bell UH-1H, Det B 259th Helicopter Squadron Bell UH-1H (Medevac). The following is a collection of photographs and letters sent to college friends, dated from 27 November 1969 to 26 May 1970, from John Cook. ARVN reinforcements were diverted to Buon Ho, north of the city, far from the battle. ZA 18-35 2km W Catecka Airfield Village - Tea Plantation. License Agreement | Pin On Multimedia In the third week in May. Privacy Policy | Links 11 min ago. Here we discuss some of the most popular early sweet pepper varieties, their characteristics, and how they fare in different climates. The 1st ACS also trained USAF and South Vietnamese Air Force aircrews in the United States and South Vietnam in unconventional warfare, counterinsurgency, psychological warfare, and civic actions. The base was named for 1st Lieutenant Mark Enari, the first 4th Infantry Division member awarded the Silver Star (posthumously) in Vietnam, who was killed in action on 2 December 1966. [1]:41 RMK-BRJ returned in 1964 to replace the PSP runway with three-inch asphalt pavement. The soldiers hold flags. The APO for Pleiku was APO San Francisco, 96318. [1]:30 They installed 6,000 feet of pierced steel plank (PSP) runway with over-runs, a parallel taxiway, and aprons at a cost of $2.7 million. To the many Army and Marine veterans whose units surrounded Pleiku Air Base and often provided needed protection for our base throughout the years, and for whom we in-turn provided combat air support during their ground operations; if you have no formal unit reunions or gatherings, we welcome your membership should you wish to join us. Vietnam War - Memories of Pleiku. However the explosion destroyed a large area including the hooch we shared with the marine cooks. The attack on Camp Holloway occurred during the early hours of February 7, 1965, in the early stages of the Viet [13]:216, Pleiku AB was one of the 2 operating bases of the RVNAF 6th Air Division, the other being Ph Ct Air Base.[14]. Brothers-in-Arms, all. Here is a small selection of photos from our Archive. 1967 Viet-Cong forces attacked the perimeter and overran the South Vietnamese army outpost. [1]:66. President Johnson orders immediate reprisals as 49 US Navy jets attack North Vietnam. Flags on a stand. Indeed, the 633rd Combat Support Group placed first in the 7th Air Force Commanders Management Competition for Support Activities October December 1968.. Color guard moves ahead. [7]:70, In September 1965 the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron equipped with 30 O-1 Bird Dogs began operating from Pleiku AB. These aircraft were equipped with various electronic warfare components. [2]:81 In 1962 a detachment of Farm Gate B-26 Invaders began operations from Pleiku AB and by February 1963 this had grown to six B-26s and one C-47. South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky visit Plei Me High School and review Montagnard troops in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Fierce fighting continued for three more days but by 14 March the situation was hopeless. On the airfield, the PAVN had destroyed an O-1, a CH-47, and ten UH-1s, although three damaged UH-1s had managed to escape. The VC forces also attacked nearby Camp Holloway, also secured by the 633rd APS. The troops blow up the barracks of US military advisors at Pleiku, killing 8 Americans and wounding 126. One particular unit in the 633rd CSG, the Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, assisted in the maintenance and sortie generation out of Pleiku. U.S. air strikes in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. My Account | It was established by the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) in 1962 at an undeveloped airstrip, and was used by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War in the II Corps Tactical Zone of South Vietnam. Pleiku 1968 Moderator: JS6768 Share 43 posts 1 2 3 4 5 Next ceje 158 Sep 03, 2011 #1 The Explosive Storage Area on the east end of the runway came under attack by the VC. Ill never forget my experience out there, and Airmen in the 633rd now should take the time to understand where they came from. No FEAR Act, An official website of the United States government, Pleiku departure; 50 years later, veterans recall memories, The 633rd Combat Support Group headquarters at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. From air support, to communications and force protection the 633rd was integral to mission success; enhancing their counterparts through training and expanding capabilities throughout the community. Corrections? Early sweet peppers are a great addition to any garden. [2]:263 Pleiku Air Base was then managed by the RVNAF 92nd Base Support Group and the base was used as a staging and emergency airfield. Click on the unit to view details about that unit. On March 24, 1971, the 633rd Air Base Wing inactivated at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Today, a small airport terminal building has been erected on the pad of one of the former USAF hangars. The 1st Air Commando Squadron moved to Pleiku on 1 January 1966 from Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon, where it had operated since 1963. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Click to Report BROKEN LINKS or Photos, or Comment. [8]:172 In September 13 barracks housing 900 men were completed and in October a further 10 barracks were completed. JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va - On March 24, 1971, the 633rd Air Base Wing inactivated at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. The squadron was reassigned to Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand in early 1967, engaging in special operations primarily in Laos. American Army and Air Force civil engineering units resurfaced and extended to 6000ft (1829 m) runway and the base was jointly used for both VNAF and USAF air activities, but never reached the saturation and population proportions of the major air bases of the coastal lowlands. Pleiku was strategically important during the Vietnam War because it was the primary terminus of the military supply logistics corridor extending westwards along Highway 19 from the coastal population centre and port facilities of Qui NhnAdditionally its central location on the plateau between Kon Tum to the north Bun Ma Thut to the south and the North Vietnamese Armys. After 30 years and learning the computer and finding VetFriends, I went to my first reunion of the USS Navasota AO-106. hightForP2 = 330 President Johnson orders immediate reprisals, as 49 US Navy jets attack North Vietnam. On March 24, 1971, the 633rd Air Base Wing inactivated at Pleiku Air Base, Republic of Vietnam. Pleiku Air Base History. The primary mission of Pleiku Air Base was forward air controller missions coordinated with the South Vietnamese and also as a base for United States special operations forces (initially called Air Commando units) in the South Vietnamese Central Highlands. The unit was originally designated as the 633rd Combat Support Group when it was activated at Pleiku in April, 1966. Jarhead03 2,171 4 Sep 21, 2011 #2 Aka: "The Stadium" ZA 204-214 LZ OUTRIDER also ZA 200-170 26km SSW Pleiku ZA 218-342 PZ MUSTANG III ( PZ = Troop Pick-up Zone ) Created/Published: 1965 Scale: 50,000 Dimensions (Width x Height): 24x30.1 If you are looking for a specific area map of Vietnam, please use the "Contact Us" page and provide information on what you are looking for and we will get in touch with you with what we have. Crew Members: P W1 FAHY T . While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. For the civil airport use of this facility after 1975, see, Use by the United States during the Vietnam War, sfn error: no target: CITEREFMiller1990 (, 38th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 362d Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, "Factsheet 6 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)", USAF Historical Research Division/Organizational History Branch 35th Fighter Wing, 366th Wing, VNAF The Republic of Vietnam Air Force 19511975, USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers1908 to present, ThaiDuong 530 Fighter Squadron, Cu Hanh Pleiku Air Base, Vietnam, Showdown in Vietnam, 1965/02/08 (1965) (Video), South Vietnamese military ranks and insignia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pleiku_Air_Base&oldid=1133967549, Installations of the United States Air Force in South Vietnam, Buildings and structures in Gia Lai province, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. They were assigned to either the 1st SOS, 22nd SOS, or the 602nd SOS (Fighter). For over 30 years, our annual reunions draw Pleiku veterans of all ranks, job positions and lengths of service from coast to coast for a few days of remembrance, socializing and a chance to visit with both old and new found friends. 472.3.1 Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Joint Staff. We have moved to https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/vietnamveterans/index.php, The Explosive Storage Area on the east end of the runway, Harvest Delicious Red Tomatoes with Red Rocket in Hot Climates South of Memphis, Tomatoes are a popular and versatile crop that can be grown in many climates, but it is important to choose the right variety for your climate. Today, the facility has been redeveloped as Pleiku Airport, In January 1962, the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Group in Vietnam requested the Department of Defense contract construction agent, the U.S. Navy Officer in Charge of Construction RVN (OICC), to design and construct a 6,000-foot (1,800m) runway at Pleiku. RVNAF air strikes destroyed five PAVN tanks but during one strike, a bomb accidentally hit ARVN sector headquarters severely disrupting communications. 68 OPCON 28th INF. Unfortunately for the South Vietnamese, the commander of the region, General Phu, misinterpreted this order and directed an immediately evacuation of both cities. The battalion was posted to the 35th Engineer Group at Cam Ranh Bay for departure from Vietnam on 31 August 1971, enroute to Fort Campbell, Kentucky.