Phan Rang Air Base was quickly expanded in 1965 to accommodate both United States and VNAF fighter and helicopter units. I do believe that every Service Member who was Deployed to Thailand was affected in some fashion medically and health wise. It was during this time I started to have pain radiating down my right leg. I went to Amphitheatre High School during the Vietnam War and had a high school choir teacher, Mr. FUNK. 8th Security Police Squadron. I installed /operated Tropo Scatter TRC-90s near Udorn and at Royal Thai Airbase in Udorn. Have had surgeries for Sqaumus Cell and Basil Cell carcinoma. I do believe being on the ground in Saigon was key to my disabilities being approved at 100%, please dont give up, sometimes the VA is VERY DIFFICULT TO DEAL WITH, remember the squeaky wheel gets grease, DONT GIVE UP!!!! I was asked to fill out a couple of forms and thank goodness for me, my VFW VSO was highly knowledgable as to what to look for in my Air Force Personnel Records, realizing that I had been exposed to Agent Orange and, filed my VA Claim with the Oakland VA Regional Office. Lt Col Joe Jackson, MOH was my squadron Commander. 3 years in Thailand, A-O was used, no exposure? I was stationed at Korat RTAFB from 68-69 and spending about a month at Ubon TDY living in the old Ausie hootches at Perimeter.Next spent two years at Yokota Japan and Osan Korea. R diagnosed to Multiple System Atrophy in 2011 Does anyone recall specialists like me flown in for TDY on complex Voodoo repairs? 180 ".keeping the memories . But they were a great group and Im grateful for the few days I got to spend with them and hear their stories. When the spray unit caught on fire there were 6 Thai people burn real bad. Thank you for your comment and your service. On December 24th, 1975, I began four months of Hell while defecating 10-20 times per day while continually bleeding from the strain. Not sure if agent orange services in water but I heard it doesnt go away have tried to get claim but getting denied. Three buildings and two hangers received minor damage. would like to get in contact with anyone that was stationed at 7 RRFS. Nevertheless, the Library of Congress may monitor any user-generated content as it chooses and reserves the right to remove content for any reason whatever, What they did to everyone is terrible and not just. Agent Orange was tested from 1962 to 1968. Im the widow of Ernest Whitfield who was stationed at NKP in 74he was a communications specialist eho passed on 11.05.14 at age 62. We were taken by a truck. Some eyewitness accounts have suggested the AF soldiers were flown by commercial jet from Travis AFB to a base in Saigon. 20 years after I am dead they will figure it out that I should have at least been tested. My dad was there just after you, in the Red Horse 12/69-12-70. records,clipping from newpaper and was turn down. I remember the Klong with its sickening smell. The proof of my services there was the passport the US Army issued me for that mission. However, I get discouraged from all the horror stories Ive heard with claims being denied and dont know who could help me file? I was at Utapao in 1967 as part of a detachment from USN patrol squadron 46. If all our congress persons go to the VA as a group maybe we can get everyone approved! I was in Life Support, maintained all equipment used by pilots. The Air Force literally flew me around the world from RAF Upper Heyford UK to repair one Voodoo in Udorn I worked on the jet on the flight line adjacent to perimeter. william j wilson SP-4. The beach is beautiful, quite and peaceful. I was at Ubon 67-68 USAF jet engine mechanic. Iv been trying to get VA benefits for myself since my husband has passed away 2 1/2 years go.VA has repeatedly denied me. She referred me to see a Neurologist (Nerve Specialist) the following day and, she too knew what I had, even going so far to order laboratory tests and a CT Scanall coming back positive as being Parkinsons Disease. Hello Donald, My name is Pablo Quinones. In the late 1940s and early 1950s the French Air Force used the same 3,500-foot runway, and abandoned the facility when French control over Indochina ended in 1954. Most importantly talk to a Veteran organization. Issued generators were not up to the task when all the boom boxes were plugged in. I shot all four involved in that my SPs M16 was jammed and I had a half clip of twenty bullets used 9 to kill all four, the Thai army took care of the NV soldiers in town. We had played cards the night before and he was so happy he had survived his year in happy valley. I am servic connected from a non combat injury. I was assigned as a Security Policeman at all bases in Thailand . God bless. I have stage 4 kidney disease as well. He ha all the diabetis, two open heart surgeries and parkensons. Ann Myers, you need to file for DIC benefits. The use was directly across from the ,RED HORSE, heavy equipment AO. I also fought a fire in the Outer perimeter, on Spray unit spraying Agent Orange that caught fire, plus two other grass and vegetation fire in the outer perimeter. Worked in the ammo dump..any buddies out there? Like This Movie Trailer? I only found out that agent orange was part of my life. I was stationed at NKP, Thailand from Feb. 70 to Feb., 71 was diagnosed with Diabetes in 2001, just got my Agent Orange benefits about 2 months ago. His reply was always that he was required to not discuss his duties. I asked my brother many times about his experiences while at Udorn. Sent another request for reconsideration in 2022, it takes months awaiting that response.Problem is I do not have copies of TDY orders from 50 years ago. Did C-123 Aircraft Spray Agent Orange During the Vietnam War? With all of the VA documents that state that Agent Orange was used on bases in Thailand, my denials stated that there was no evidence that Agent Orange was ever used there. I was stationed on hill nut dot with the 518th signal company providing communications for the base. I was stationed at Camp Friendship 7Nth Main. [17] Although the squadron initially undertook high-level night-time attacks, the majority of its operations were low-level daylight attacks; and according to historian Steve Eather the squadron achieved a high success rate, accounting for 16 percent of 35 TFWs assessed bomb damage despite flying only five percent of its missions, while maintaining a 9798 percent serviceability rate. We also rehab the existing Phan Rang airstrip for air crago use. In order to get on mission flying status, I was sent to Walt C passed away 2020 from intestinal cancer. Brave Warriors, Humble Heroes by Marjorie T. Hansen | Vietnam Veterans Besides reuniting with old friends and making new ones, our goal is to preserve the stories of our Phan Rang brothers. The doctor who removed his prostate had died years back so he could not be interviewed or questioned concerning this matter. Filed VA claim in 2005 was denied "Happy Valley" - Phan Rang AB, Vietnam - Facebook Although I never spent much time at Phan Rang Airbase, during the latter part of 1969 our headquarters moved from Nha Trang airbase to Phan Rang. CREW CHIEF ON F-4E PHANTOMS WHITE SECTION 421st BLACK WIDOWS, HAVE PROSTATE CANCER 2018 How do I post an official U.S. government map of Udorn RTAFB on this page? After a short rotation back to the states after my first year, I returned for two more years consecutively. This lack of concern and out right lies by the Gov. I have a very rare blood disorder and have to take very strong meds to survive, I remember asking the guys what they were spraying all over the compound and the answer was for bugs!!! Agent Orange at Eglin AFB - Granted - BOD - Veterans Benefits Network It was a old Golf Course up in the mountains. It took me a number of years and appeals, but I finally received a rating of 100% for Prostate, bladder Cancer, & Tinnitus. Glad I got out of there in February 1967, they wanted me to reenlist. Thailand is treated completely different. Wishing you and all of us in this long fought battle, the best. Yeah -Right! Veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange or other herbicides during service may be eligible for a variety of VA benefits, including an Agent Orange Registry health exam, health care, and disability compensation for diseases associated with exposure. Of course you would have trouble finding that information in the physicians reports submitted to Congress on A O since that paragraph was stricken by CONGRESS from the report. Was in 35th Supply squadron. I was stationed at Utapao May 68 to Jan 69. in Thailand under JFK, An article about U.S. operations in Thailand. VA.gov Home | Veterans Affairs b. PTSD but Is a Moral Wound. Phan Rang Air Base, 1965-1970 - YouTube Marvin Carl Lanier was my older brother, he passed away in 2014, he was in Viewnam in late 1969 through I believe 1972. [18][15] During the deployment, the squadrons aircraft used the callsign Magpie in recognition of the squadrons emblem. You can read the legislation by searching H.R.3967 Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 Section 403 covers the AO expansion for SEA VETS. He was in 1980 Comm Sq at Tahkli as a Comm Control Specialist in 1966. Im not really complaining, however, we dont seem to be mentioned when the Phan Rang Airfield is brought up . Resolved: Release in which this issue/RFE has been resolved. Response to Charles Ernest Hill 12/20/22. 5 ft 10 170 lbs. My brother was in Vietnam at the same time. His claims of exposure have repeatedly been denied since 1993. I was on the flight line every night, B52 s. I was a canine dog handler along the flightline and base parameters and one of my most common memories was the smell of the chemical agents to kill vegetation and the mosquito foggers. I feel fortunate medically compared to many listing problems our government seems content to deny any responsibility for. I returned to the States on a 30-year nondisclosure. Thailand also was buffered from the conflict zone by Laos and Cambodia, thereby making it safer forAmerican personnel. The RVNAF even cut off the electricity to the ARVN hospital at Nha Trang becasue they said they couldnt spare the electricity. The Last Fight of your Squadron Commander was unique they stopped after turning off the runway, and tied him to an external bomb rack, so he came in to the Last Flight fire-hose ceremony lashed to the bomb rack of his Canberra! Does anyone know or remember how clean the camp was from weeds. I was NCOIC of the Security Police vehicle shop @ Veh. I served at Phan Rang in 1970-71. He never smoked. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014 and learned shortly after about the direct correlation between prostate cancer and agent Orange. Simply google namphong.com and take a stroll down memory lane. I flew two Spotter missions with USAF O1E pilot Lt. Rainey, flying through the mountain valleys looking for Viet Cong. Served at Tahkli Air Base 1965/66. Im asking for help in this matter. I got notified this month my claim was denied. I want to be independent. I was stationed at NKP and Udorn back in 70-71. Why dont all the comments show up here? The first 26 were to be AC-119Gs, equipped with four 7.62 GAU-2B/A miniguns, gun sight, armor, night observation sight, DPN-34 and SPR-3 radars, 20 kw airborne illuminator, and an LAU-74/A flare launcher. It gives a base-by-base study as to how defenses were established at every base in Thailand. Served with the 432nd MMS in Udorn from September 1966-67. Agent Orange was used May 1970. I was stationed at Korat RTAFB from 6/2/67 to 6/2/68. and listed as a medical tech. Iwas stationed in Udorn 67-68,diagnosed with blood cancer, July 2021, doctor says could be caused by exposure to Agent Orange, looking for best way to file a claim, any suggestions? That was a small air Base. [19] An aircraft from the squadron responded to a distress call on 24 April 1969 and, against operational orders, bombed a site in Cambodia (the Fishhook) where US special forces were pinned down. Thanks to all of you veterans for everything youve done and I hope you get the help from the VA that you deserve. 809th Engs, May 69-May70, I have been fighting VA for a while, to no avail. I think the same thing goes for Korat and the other bases in TAILAND. There was no vegetation, a lot of red clay that indicated all the trees and bushes had been removed. My sons father is a Brewster but to young to been in Vietnam. I spent four to six hours a day in Da Nang or Bien Hoa. We made monthly flights until 1975. Fathered a child that now lives in California. Media in category "Phan Rang Air Base" The following 30 files are in this category, out of 30 total. In other words letting us die and saving money for the Government. Appealing since 2013. This progressed to bladder cancer,2 brain tumors, and a epitheliod sarcoma on his leg. The form IBM. 8th TFW / Telecommunications / UBON June 1972 June 1973. I was stationed at NKP from Jan 71 to Jan 72. Stationed at Takhli RTAFB 1970-1971. Our aircraft U21 LE and LJ were returned to the States. Finally, today, 02-12-2020, I spoke with an ADVISOR at the Federal Bldg in WLA and felt good about what he told me. Just curious if anyone remembers him. I have really bad peripheral neuropathy, high blood pressure, and many other health issues. 1. Thank you, I was stationed in Ubon, Thailand. Was anyone station there during that time that might remember any of this time and remember where he lived. Not so Silent Partner: Thailands Role in Covert Operations . Just diagnosed with multiple myeloma havent filed claim yet. It is very readable. etc. I have recurring skin cancers melanoma, basal, squamous cell cancer. Agree with Jack Hart. The building now used for my restaurant was built in 1966. I remember the U-2 flying out of U-Tapao while we were there. After a year there I was able to get transferred to Operation Deep Freeze (the Navy tri-service Task Force 43 which supported the science program in Antarctica) as Technical Editor of the Antarctic Journal of the United States After the Task Force was transferred to the Seabee center at Davisville, RI, I was assigned to the Office of Polar Programs at the National Science Foundation.