Firebase Betty

Firebase Betty
Coordinates 10°54′29″N 108°04′26″E / 10.908°N 108.074°E / 10.908; 108.074 (Firebase Betty)
Type Army
Site information
Condition abandoned
Site history
Built 1966
In use 1966-75
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Garrison information
Occupants 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry
3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry
1st Battalion, 50th Infantry
Phan Thiết
IATA: none – ICAO: none
Summary
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
07/25 3,600 1,097 asphalt

Firebase Betty (also known as Currahee Base Camp, Landing Zone Betty or Phan Thiết) is a former U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base south of Phan Thiết in Bình Thuận Province, southern Vietnam.

History

The base was established at the French-era Phan Thiết airfield approximately 5 km southwest of Phan Thiết and 2 km east of Highway 1.[1]

The first U.S. Army unit based here was the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry from September 1966 to December 1967.[2]

The 192nd Assault Helicopter Company was based here from October 1967 to January 1971.[2]:122

The 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry was based here from February 1968 to December 1969 giving the base its alternative name of Currahee Base Camp.[2]:159

The 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry was based here from October 1969 to December 1970.[2]:151

Other U.S. Army units based here included:

On the morning of 25 February 1968 the base was hit by People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) mortar and rocket fire which exploded an ammunition bunker and was followed by a PAVN sapper attack. U.S. losses were 3 killed and 29 wounded and 21 PAVN killed and 1 captured[1]

On 24 April 1969 a DC-3 of Far Eastern Air Transport was damaged beyond repair while landing at the airfield.[3]

Current use

The base is abandoned and has reverted to farmland and housing. The former airfield is now Truong Van Ly road.

References

  1. 1 2 Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. pp. 5–52. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 127. ISBN 9780811700719.
  3. ↑ "24 April 1969". Aviation Safety network. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
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