Cam Ranh Bay: History Pt 3

What a great three part series. Most of the facilities still appear intact when viewed on Google map, although disturbingly abondoned.

Nice collection of history… Thank you.

Thanks so much for sharing this. My Dad and I have enjoyed watching it. Dad says those aluminum runways worked just fine (including a wire to catch a plane with combat damage). He says they did tend to float a little during the rainy season, though.

Dad was a pilot with the 12th who came ahead of the F4C Phantoms, arriving in October 1965. They dropped him and his three tent mates off at a particular location with wood and a canvas tent and told them to put up their own living quarters. One guy said, «Cover for me!» and disappeared. The other three put the wood platform together and raised the tent. They then went back to work and covered for their tent mate.

A day or so later, their missing comrade returned with all sorts of items (fans, a refrigerator with a freezer that made ice, and other goodies). He had been scrounging and midnight requisitioning at Clark AFB in the PI (or somewhere) and transported the items by air to Cam Rahn by calling in favors. These guys felt like they had the most luxurious place in Tent City until actual barracks buildings were constructed. They put up a sign that said «The Sands» outside the tent by the plank sidewalks.

I heard a story that an initial ammo dump was placed in a flood-prone location. When the rains came and the dump did indeed flood, the base commander asked the sergeant whether he had learned anything. The sergeant replied acerbically, «bombs don't float, sir.» Both walked off (probably in disgust). This ammo dump did get moved to higher ground. This tale may be apocryphal. It was told to me in earnest but with a grin.

I was in the 124th Transportation Command Aug 1969 to July 1970. Your video did a great job recounting the buildup and operations.

Wow amazing history