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) firebase south of Phan Thiết in Bình Thuận Province, southern Vietnam.
| Firebase Betty | |
|---|---|
 21 September 1967 | |
| Coordinates | 10°54′29″N 108°04′26″E / 10.908°N 108.074°E |
| 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 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
| |||||||||||
History
editThe 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 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry from September 1966 to December 1967 as part of Operation Byrd.[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:
- 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry (May 1969)[2]: 125
- 5th Battalion, 27th Artillery[2]: 102
- 2nd Battalion, 320th Artillery[2]: 108
- 3rd Platoon, 272nd Military Police Co.
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 three killed and 29 wounded and 21 PAVN killed and one captured[1]
On 24 April 1969 a Douglas DC-3 of Far Eastern Air Transport was damaged beyond repair while landing at the airfield.[3]
On 3 May 1970 a PAVN artillery and sapper attack on the base resulted in five U.S. killed and 25 wounded.[4]
Current use
editThe base is abandoned and has reverted to farmland and housing. The former airfield is now Truong Van Ly road.
References
edit- ^ a b Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 52. ISBN 978-1555716257.
- ^ a b c d e f g Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 127. ISBN 9780811700719.
- ^ "24 April 1969". Aviation Safety network. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
- ^ "30 U.S. casualties at base". The New York Times. 4 May 1970. p. 13.