Qui Nhon Airfield
Qui Nhơn Airfield | |||||||
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Qui Nhon, Binh Dinh Province in South Vietnam | |||||||
Coordinates | 13°45′58″N 109°13′19″E / 13.766°N 109.222°E | ||||||
Site information | |||||||
Owner | Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) | ||||||
Operator | Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) Pacific Air Forces (USAF) United States Army (US Army) | ||||||
Condition | abandoned | ||||||
Site history | |||||||
Built | 1966 | ||||||
In use | 1966–1975 | ||||||
Battles/wars | Vietnam War | ||||||
Airfield information | |||||||
Identifiers | IATA: UIH, ICAO: VVQN | ||||||
Elevation | 10 feet (3 m) AMSL | ||||||
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Qui Nhơn Airfield (also known as Qui Nhơn Airport, Qui Nhơn Air Base or Qui Nhon Army Airfield) is a former United States Air Force, United States Army and Vietnam Air Force airfield located in Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh Province, Vietnam.[1]
History
[edit]In April 1966, the 84th Construction Battalion built a 1,197 feet (365 m) extension to the runway.[2]: 125 In early 1967, the RMK-BRJ construction firm built a 3,400 feet (1,000 m) taxiway extension and various support buildings.[2]: 274
The 1883d Communications Squadron designated and organized at Qui Nhon Airfield, South Vietnam, 1 November 1965, forming part of the 1964th Communications Group. It then moved to Phu Cat Air Base on 1 April 1967.[3]
Army units based at Qui Nhơn included:
- 8th Transportation Company (Piasecki CH-21C Shawnee) (1961–?)[4]: 18
- 57th Medical Detachment (Helicopter Ambulance) (UH-1B Huey) from March 1963.[4]: 134
- A platoon of 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) with UH-1D Hueys from October 1965.[4]: 139
- 498th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) (UH-1D) from 1967.[4]: 137
- 18th Aviation Company
- 61st Assault Helicopter Company
- 92nd Aviation Company
- 117th Aviation Company
- Company D, 52nd Infantry Regiment (from December 1966)
- 67th Evacuation Hospital (October 1966 – January 1971)
- 1098th Transportation Company (Medium Boat)
USAF units based at Qui Nhơn included:
- 15th Aerial Port Squadron
- 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron (detachments)
- 619th Tactical Control Squadron Detachment 12 (December 1965 – November 1966)
Current use
[edit]The base is now covered with commercial buildings while the former runway is now Nguyễn Tất Thành road. The city is served commercially by Phu Cat Airport.
Accidents and incidents
[edit]- 18 September 1965 USAF Lockheed C-130A Hercules #55-0038 crashed into the sea while on final approach killing 4 of 11 crew and passengers[5]
- 30 June 1966 USAF Fairchild C-123B Provider #54-0644 was damaged beyond repair at Qui Nhơn[6]
- 30 November 1967 USAF de Havilland Canada C-7B Caribou #62-4175 on approach to Qui Nhơn diverted due to bad weather and hit a mountain 5 km (3.1 mi) south of the base killing all 26 passengers and crew[7]
- 25 May 1970 U.S. Army Beechcraft U-21A #66-18026 was damaged beyond repair at Qui Nhơn[8]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 431. ISBN 978-1555716257.
- ^ a b Traas, Adrian (2011). Engineers at War. Government Printing Office. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Miller, Linda G. (1990). A Salute to Air Force Communications Command, Leaders and Lineage (PDF). Scott AFB, IL: Office of AFCC History. p. 383. OCLC 49946668. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ a b c d Dunstan, S (1988). Vietnam Choppers. Osprey Publishing Ltd. ISBN 0-85045-572-3.
- ^ "18 September 1965 Lockheed C-130A Hercules". Aviation safety network. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ "30 June 1966 Fairchild C-123B-7-FA Provider". Aviation safety network. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ "30 November 1967 de Havilland Canada C-7B Caribou". Aviation safety network. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
- ^ "25 May 1970 Beechcraft U-21A Ute". Aviation safety network. Retrieved 11 November 2014.