Camp Thunderbolt Explained

Camp Thunderbolt
Built:1965
Used:1965-present
Occupants:Capital Division
Battles:
Vietnam War
ROK Strip Airfield
Elevation-F:60
R1-Length-F:3000
R1-Surface:PSP

Camp Thunderbolt (also known as ROK Strip Airfield or ROK Valley) is a former Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) base west of Qui Nhơn in Bình Định Province, Vietnam.

History

The base was originally established in late 1965 by the 70th Engineer Battalion[1] approximately 14 km west of Qui Nhơn, 5 km south of Lane Army Airfield and southwest of the Highway 19 and Highway 1 intersection.[2] Further improvements to the base were made by the 19th Engineer Battalion.[1]

The Camp served as the base for the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division (also known as the Tiger Division) from their arrival in Vietnam in September 1965 until their departure in March 1973.On 5 March 1971 CH-47C #67-18518 of the 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company on approach to Lane Army Airfield collided with a ROKA O-1D causing both aircraft to crash killing 5 passengers and crew on the CH-47 and the pilot of the O-1.[3]

Current use

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

Notes and References

  1. Book: Traas, Adrian. Engineers at War. Government Printing Office. 2010. 9780160882739. 34.
  2. Book: Kelley, Michael. Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. 2002. 978-1555716257. 350.
  3. Web site: Barry Mercer Straw. Virtual Wall. 11 November 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121028194325/http://www.virtualwall.org/ds/StrawBM01a.htm. 28 October 2012.