Phước Vĩnh Base Camp

Phước Vĩnh Base Camp
An aerial view of the Phuoc Vinh Base Camp in February 1969, showing the asphalt runway
Coordinates11°17′53″N 106°47′43″E / 11.29806°N 106.79528°E / 11.29806; 106.79528 (Phước Vĩnh Base Camp)
TypeArmy Base
Site history
Built1965
In use1965-present
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Garrison information
Occupants1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division
506th Infantry Regiment
1st Cavalry Division
Phước Vĩnh Airfield
Summary
Elevation AMSL180 ft / 15 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
09/27 3,700 1,128 asphalt

Phước Vĩnh Base Camp (also known as Phước Vĩnh Combat Base) is a former U.S. Army base north of Biên Hòa in southern Vietnam.

History

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The base was established in mid-1965 and was located approximately 35 km north of Biên Hòa in Phước Thành Province.[1]

The 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division comprising:

was based at Phước Vĩnh from December 1965 until February 1968.

The 506th Infantry Regiment moved to the base in December 1967 as part of Operation Uniontown and remained there until October 1968.[2]: 159 

In November 1968 the 1st Cavalry Division moved here from Camp Evans as part of Operation Liberty Canyon and would remain based here until April 1971.[2]: 73 

Other units stationed at Phước Vĩnh included:

Current use

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The base appears to remain in use by the People's Army of Vietnam.

Accidents and incidents

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  • 12 November 1968, two UH-1H helicopters from the 227th Assault Helicopter Company collided over the airfield causing one (#66-16983) to crash killing all four passengers and crew[4]

References

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  1. ^ Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 405. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 137. ISBN 9780811700719.
  3. ^ a b c d Zahn, R (2003). Snake Pilot. Brassey's Inc. ISBN 1-57488-565-0.
  4. ^ "James E Cummings, Jr". The Virtual Wall. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
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Modern photos and video of the site