South Vietnam Air Force history

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Bien Hoa

Binh Thuy

An A-37B of the Da Nang based 514 Fighter Squadron has just released a Mk.82.

Peter R. Spel

AC-47’s were used as aerial gun-ships before they were superseeded by AC-119’s.

Pham Quang Khiem

Bien Hoa (VVBH) Biên Hòa
RWY 09L/27R, 09R/27L POS 10°58'39"N 106°48'52"E ELEV 33 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
	1st Fighter Squadron		F8F A-1H	1956-1960 1960-1964	Renamed 514 Fighter Squadron

	4400 Combat Crew Training Squadron Farm Gate		T-28B B-26B	1961-1963 1962-1963	renamed 1 ACS(C)

	1st Air Cmmando Squadron (Composite)		B-26B SC-47B T-28D U-10 A-1E	1963-1964 1963-1966 1963-1964 1963-1966 1964-1966	Reloacted tp Pleiku

23 Tactical Wing	112 Liaison Squadron	D Y	O-1A U-17A/B	1964-1975	Ceased to exist

	514 Fighter Squadron	FF	A-1H	1963-1975	Ceased to exist

	518 Fighter Squadron	E kW K	A-1E A-1G A-1H	1964-? 1968-1975	Ceased to exist

	520 Fighter Squadron	vW	A-1H	1964-1965	Relocated to Binh Thuy

	215 Helicopter Squadron		UH-34D		Relocated to Nha Trang

	522 Fighter Squadron Gau Đen	HJ	F-5A	1966-1967	over to 63 Wing

	124 Liaison Squadron	FD	O-1A U-17A/B		Ceased to exist

43 Tactical Wing	221 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	223 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	231 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	237 Helicopter Squadron		CH-47A		Ceased to exist

	245 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	251 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	259 Helicopter Squadron Det. E Nhân Aí		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

63 Tactical Wing	522 Fighter Squadron Gau Đen	HJ	F-5A F-5B F-5C RF-5A	1965-1975 1967-1975 196.-1975 19..-1975	Ceased to exist

	536 Fighter Squadron	HQ	F-5A F-5B F-5E	19..-1975 19..-1975 19..-1975	Ceased to exist

	540 Fighter Squadron		F-5A F-5E	19..-1975 19..-1975	Ceased to exist

	542 Fighter Squadron		F-5A	19..-1975	Ceased to exist

	544 Fighter Squadron		F-5A	19..-1975	Ceased to exist

Douglas AD-6 139676/A of the 1st Fighter Squadron in 1960. AD-6 is the US Navy designation for the A-1H, the single-seat attack model of the Skyraider.

PQK

Douglas B-26B 44-35896 was used for training VNAF personell in the so called “Farm Gate” program in 1962.

PQK

Cessna O-1A Bird Dog 51-12256/dD of the 112 Liaison Squadron.

James Baker

Cessna U-17A Skywagon 65-12909/yG of the 112 Liaison Squadron visiting Tan Son Nhut on 3 January 1968.

Dick Lohuis collection

A-1H 135399/kE of the 518 Fighter Squadron recognizable by the letter k.

Rick Norris

Fully loaded A-1E 133896/E flying over a cloud-deck. The E-version was a side-by-side seating for pilot and co-pilot.

PQK

A-1G 132559/kWd of the 518 Fighter Squadron. This is a four-seat night attack version of the Skyraider, with radar countermeasures.

PQK

F-5A 10560, wearing the 23 Tactical Wing yellow-black checkered fuselage band, loaded with four Mk.82’s.

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Binh Thuy (--)
RWY 06/24 POS 10°05'06"N 105°42'43"E ELEV 14 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
74 Tactical Wing	116 Liaison Squadron	E	O-1A U-17A/B	1965-1975	Ceased to exist

	217 Helicopter Squadron	R	UH-34D	1965-19..	over to 84 Wing

	122 Liaison Squadron		O-1A U-17A/B		Ceased to exist

	520 Fighter Squadron Than Bao	V vW	A-1H A-1E A-37B	1965-1968 1969-197. 197.-1975	Ceased to exist

	526 Fighter Squadron Satan		A-37B	1969-1975	Ceased to exist

	546 Fighter Squadron		A-37B	1969-1975	Ceased to exist

84 Tactical Wing	211 Helicopter Squadron Th'ân Chuy		UH-1H	19..-1975	Ceased to exist

	217 Helicopter Squadron Thâ'n Điê'n	R	UH-1H	19..-1972	over to 64 Wing Cần Thơ

	259 Helicopter Squadron Det. H Nhân Aí		UH-1H	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	225 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H	197.-1975	Ceased to exist

	227 Helicopter Squadronn Ha'i Áu		UH-1H	197.-1975	Ceased to exist

A-1H 39758/vS of the 520 Fighter Squadron, along side the 37519/vP.

Herb Meyr

A-37B 22483 of the 546 Fighter Squadron is taken care of just prior the start.

PQK

Cần Thơ (--)
RWY 06/24 POS 10°03'06"N 105°45'50"E ELEV 7 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
64 Tactical Wing	217 Helicopter Squadron Thâ'n Điê'n		UH-1H	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	249 Helicopter Squadron		CH-47A	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	255 Helicopter Squadron Xa Vuong		UH-1H	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	259 Helicopter Squadron Det. H Nhân Aí		UH-1H	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

The Boeing-Vertol CH-47A Chinook made up three squadrons.

PQK

Badge of the 217 Helicopter Squadron is applied on the nose of this Huey.

PQK

Da Nang (VVDN) Đà Nẵng
RWY 17L/35R, 17R/35L, HEL POS 16°02'38"N 108°11'58"E ELEV 26 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
	1st Liaison Squadron		O-1A	1956-1963	Renamed 110 Liaison Squadron

	2nd Helicopter Squadron		H-19G	1961-1963	Renamded 213 Helicopter Squadron

	3rd Liaison Squadron		O-1A	1961-1963	Renamed 114 Liaison Squadron

41 Tactical Wing	110 Liaison Squadron	B G	O-1A U-17A/B O-2A	1963-1975	Ceased to exist

	213 Helicopter Squadronn	J	UH-34D	1963-1970	over to 51 Wing

	516 Fighter Squadron	L L P	T-28A/B T-28C-1 A-1E	1964-1964 1964-1969	over to 61 Wing

	217 Helicopter Squadron, Thâ'n Điê'n		UH-34D	1964-1965	Relocated Bin Thuy

	615 Special Mission Flight		B-57B	1965-1966	disbanded

	120 Liaison Squadron		O-1A U-17A/B		Ceased to exist

	427 Transport Squadronn	G	C-7A	197.-1975	Ceased to exist

	429 Transport Squadronn Son Long		C-7A	197.-197.	Relocated to Tan Son Nhut

	718 Recconaissance Squadron Det.		EC-47		Ceased to exist

	821 Attack Squadron Det.		AC-119K		Ceased to exist

51 Tactical Wing	213 Helicopter Squadron Song Chuy	J	UH-1H	1970-1975	Ceased to exist

	219 Helicopter Squadron		UH-34D		Relocated to Nha Trang

	233 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	239 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	247 Helicopter Squadron		CH-47A		Ceased to exist

	253 Helicopter Squadron Sói Thâ'n		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	257 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

61 Tactical Wing	516 Fighter Squadron Phi Hô		A-37B	1969-1975	Ceased to exist

	528 Fighter Squadron Hô' Cáp		A-37B	197.-1975	Ceased to exist

	538 Fighter Squadron		F-5	?-1975	Ceased to exist

	550 Fighter Squadron		A-37B	197..-1975	Ceased to exist

Sikorsky UH-34D 40891 of the 213 Helicopter Squadron.

PQK

A-1E Skyraider 32528/pA of the 516 Fighter Squadron.

PQK

UH-1H of the 213 Helicopter Squadron.

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Cessna O-2A Skymaster 68037 of the 110 Liaison Squadron.

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Nha Trang (VVNT)
RWY 12/30 POS 12°13'39"N 109°11'32"E ELEV 23 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
	1st Liaison Squadron		M.S.500	1952-1953	Relocated to Tan Son Nhut

	T-6 Training Unit		T-6G	1952-1963	Renamed 912 Air Training Squadron

	2nd Liaison Squadron		O-1A	1955-1959	Relocated to Tan Son Nhut

	2nd Fighter Squadron	L	T-28A/B T-28C-1	1961-1963	Renamed 516 Fighter Squadron

62 Tactical Wing	516 Fighter Squadron		T-28A/B T-28C-1	1963-1964	Relocated to Da Nang

	114 Liaison Squadron		O-1A U-17A/B	1963-1975	Ceased to exist

	116 Liaison Squadron		O-1A U-17A/B	1964-1965	Relocated to Binh Thuy

	215 Helicopter Squadron Thâ'n Tuon		UH-34D UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	524 Fighter Squadron		A-1H A-37B	1965-1968 1968-1975	Ceased to exist

	219 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

	817 Attack Squadron Hoa Long	K	AC-47D		Ceased to exist

	259 Helicopter Squadron Det. C Nhân Aí		UH-1H		Ceased to exist

Air Training Center	912 Air Training Squadron		T-6G	1963-?	disbanded

	918 Air Training Squadron		T-41D		Ceased to exist

	920 Air Training Squadron		T-37B HU-34D UH-1H		Ceased to exist

The ATC is not officially under the 2nd Air Division but reports directly to VNAF Headquarters in Saigon.

A T-28 of the 2nd Fighter Squadron.

PQK

A-37B 14793 of the 524 Fighter Squadron.

PQK

Phan Rang (VVPR) Thành Sơn
RWY 04/22 POS 11°38'01"N 108°57'07"E ELEV 101 ft Airfield Guide Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
92 Tactical Wing	524 Fighter Squadron Thiên Lôi		A-37B	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	534 Fighter Squadron		A-37B	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	548 Fighter Squadron		A-37B	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	259 Helicopter Squadron Det. D Nhân Aí		UH-1H	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

Phù Cát (VVPC)
RWY 15/33 POS 13°57'01"N 109°02'53"E ELEV 104 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
82 Tactical Wing	241 Helicopter Squadron Thiên Bang		CH-47A	1971-1975	Ceased to exist

	532 Fighter Squadron Gau Đen		A-37B	1971-1975	Ceased to exist

	259 Helicopter Squadron Det. A Nhân Aí		UH-1H	1971-1975	Ceased to exist

	243 Helicopter Squadron Ma'nh Su		CH-47A	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	427 Transport Squadron		C-47A	1972-197.	Relocated to Da Nang

	429 Transport Squadron Son Long		C-7A	1972-197.	Relocated to Da Nang

	431 Transport Squadron Phuong Long		C-7A	1972-197.	Relocated to Tan Son Nhut

Pleiku (VVPK)

Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
72 Tactical Wing	118 Liaison Squadron Bac Đau		O-1A U-17A/B O-2A	1970-1975 1970-1975	Ceased to exist

	229 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H	1970-1975	Ceased to exist

	530 Fighter Squadron		A-1H	1970-1975	Ceased to exist

	235 Helicopter Squadron Tu' Thâ'n		UH-1H	1970-1975	Ceased to exist

	259 Helicopter Squadron Det. B Nhân Aí		UH-1H	1970-1975	Ceased to exist

Sóc Trăng (--)
RWY 03/21 POS 09°34'55"N 105°57'38"E ELEV 7 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
84 Tactical Wing	225 Helicopter Squadron		UH-1H	1970-197.	Relocated to Binh Thuy

	227 Helicopter Squadronn Ha'i Áu		UH-1H	1970-197.	Relocated to Binh Thuy

Tân Son Nhut (VVTS) Tân Sơn Nhứt (Ho Chi Minh)
RWY 07L/25R, 07R/25L POS 10°49'08"N 106°39'12"E ELEV 24 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
	1st Liaison Squadron		M.S.500	1953-1954	Relocated to Sóc Trăng

	312 Special Mission Squadron		M.S.500 MD312	1951-?	disbanded

	1st Transport Squadron		C-47	1955-1963	Renamed 413 Transport Squadron

	2nd Transport Squadron		C-47	1956-1963	Renamed 415 Transport Squadron

	Special Mission Squadron		AC500 C-45 C-47	1963-1963	Renamed 314 Special Air Missions Squadron

	1st Helicopter Squadron	S	H-19 UH-34D	1957-1960 1960-1963	Renamded 211 Helicopter Squadron

	2nd Liaison Squadron		O-1A	1959-1964	Renamded 112 Liaison Squadron at Bien Hoa

	293 Helicopter Squadron		UH-34D	1962-1964	disbanded

	716 Composite Reconnaissance Squadron		RC-45 RC-47 RT-28	1962-1963 1963-1963 1963-1963	over to 33 Wing

33 Reconnaissance/Transport Wing	211 Helicopter Squadron		UH-34D	1963-19..	over to 84 Wing

	413 Transport Squadron	N	C-47	1963-1968	over to 53 Wing

	415 Transport Squadron	E	C-47	1963-1971	Ceased to exist

	417 Transport Squadron	H	C-47	196.-19..	Ceased to exist

	314 Special Air Missions Squadron Thâ'n Tiê'n	C	AC500 C-45 U-17A/B VC-47D DC-6B	1963-1975	Ceased to exist

	716 Composite Reconnaissance Squadron	M M M	EC-47D RC-47 U-6A RF-5A	1963-1975	Ceased to exist

	522 Fighter Squadron	U	A-1H	1965-1967	over to 23 Wing Bien Hoa

	817 Combat Squadron		AC-47	1969-1971	disbanded

	718 Recconaissance Squadron	M	EC-47D	19..-1975	Ceased to exist

	259 Helicopter Squadron Det. G Nhân Aí		UH-1H	197.-1975	Ceased to exist

	429 Transport Squadron Son Long	P	C-7A	197.-1975	Ceased to exist

	431 Transport Squadron Phuong Long	Y	C-7A	197.-1975	Ceased to exist

83 Special Operation Group			A-1H	1964-1968	disbanded

53 Tactical Wing	413 Transport Squadron	N	C-119G	1968-1972	disbanded

	421 Transport Squadron	Q	C-123K	1971-1973	disbanded

	423 Transport Squadron	R	C-123K	1971-1973	disbanded

	425 Transport Squadron	X	C-123K	1971-1973	disbanded

	819 Combat Squadron Hac Long	HR	AC-119G	1971-1975	Ceased to exist

	435 Transport Squadron	HR	C-130A	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	437 Transport Squadron	GZ	C-130A	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

	821 Combat Squadron Tinh Long	F	AC-119K	1972-1975	Ceased to exist

Sikorsky H-19B Chickasaw 34454 was deliverd to the SVNAF on 13 January 1963 and was written off on 16 June 1964.

VNAF.net

A Beech C-45 photographed while visiting Da Nang on 30 November 1960.

Steve Jenks

Douglas EC-47 43-49029/mF of the 716 Composite Reconnaissance Squadron seen visiting Clark Field, the Philippines at 25 January 1975.

Dick Lohuis collection

Nose section of C-47 Dakota 348586/cG of the 415 Transport Squadron.

Jacques Guillem collection

De Havilland Canada U-6A 41694 equipped for PSYWAR (psychological warfare) duty. Note the large speakers installed on the fuselage just beneath the wing.

Tay Ninh City airfield , John Hansen

Fairchild C-119G Flying Boxcar 53-3202

Tony Williams

Fairchild C-123K Provider of the 423 Transport Squadron.

PQK

Lockheed C-130A Hercules 56-0500/HCL of the 435 Transport Squadron.

PQK

Tây Lộc (--) Hué Citadel
RWY 12/30 POS 16°28'36"N 107°34'08"E ELEV 18 ft Google Maps
Wing	Squadron	Squadron Code	Aircraft Type(s)	Period	Remarks	Badge
	1st Liaison Squadron		M.S.500 O-1A	1953-1955 1955-1956	Relocated to Da Nang

O-1A 38041 photographed at the Hué-Citadel Strip.

Stephen Miller

With the imminent collapse of South Vietnam many aircraft and its crews fled to neighbouring Thailand lat April 1975. One of these was F-5E 00858 seen at U-Tapao on 29 April 1975. This F-5 was returned to US Navy as BuNo 160792.

Dick Lohuis collection

This O-1A 4582 was taken on strenght with the Royal Thai Air Force before ending up with the Royal Thai Navy.

Dick Lohuis collection

A-37B 821 (68-10821) was transferred tot he ROKAF with serial 10-821. On its turn they sold it to the Peruvian Air Force in 2010 were it was given serial 145.

Dick Lohuis collection

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South Vietnam Air Force history

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