Camp Thunderbolt

Camp Thunderbolt (also known as ROK Strip Airfield or ROK Valley) is a former Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) base west of Qui Nhơn in Bình Định Province, Vietnam.

Camp Thunderbolt
Camp Thunderbolt, August 1968
Coordinates13.76°N 109.10°E / 13.76; 109.10 (Camp Thunderbolt)
Site history
Built1965
In use1965-present
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Garrison information
OccupantsCapital Division
ROK Strip Airfield
Summary
Elevation AMSL60 ft / 18 m
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
3,000 914 PSP

History

The base was originally established in late 1965 by the 70th Engineer Battalion[1] approximately 14 km west of Qui Nhơn, 5 km south of Lane Army Airfield and southwest of the Highway 19 and Highway 1 intersection.[2] Further improvements to the base were made by the 19th Engineer Battalion.[1]: 34–5 

The Camp served as the base for the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division (also known as the Tiger Division) from their arrival in Vietnam in September 1965 until their departure in March 1973.

ROK Strip Airfield, 3 September 1968

On 5 March 1971 CH-47C #67-18518 of the 180th Assault Support Helicopter Company on approach to Lane Army Airfield collided with a ROKA O-1D causing both aircraft to crash killing 5 passengers and crew on the CH-47 and the pilot of the O-1.[3]

Current use

The base appears to remain in use by the People's Army of Vietnam.

References
  1. Traas, Adrian (2010). Engineers at War. Government Printing Office. p. 34. ISBN 9780160882739.
  2. Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 350. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  3. "Barry Mercer Straw". Virtual Wall. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
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