U.S. AIR BASE TUY HOA CONSTRUCTION 1967 VIETNAM WAR FILM "OPERATION TURNKEY" 29514
Vložit
- čas přidán 19. 08. 2024
- Support Our Channel : / periscopefilm
This circa 1967 takes its viewer to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and examines the use and construction of US air bases during the conflict. We learn starting at mark 01:38 how existing air bases in Vietnam were quickly saturated with personnel and aircrafts as the military increased its presence in the region. The increase led military engineers and civilian contractors to construct two new air bases in South Vietnam by 1965 (mark 02:18). We see scenes of new runways and prefabricated buildings, and finally at mark 03:40 are shown the film’s title: “Operation Turnkey Tua Hua Air Base Construction.” (The base, near the South China Sea, was in operation between 1965-1966 and was used by the US Air Force in the II Corps Tactical Zone of South Vietnam. It was closed in 1970 and seized by the People's Army of Vietnam in April 1975. Today, the site has been redeveloped as Dong Tac Airport.) We finally learn how Operation Turnkey was a project involving the design, logistic support, and construction of airfields during the war. The film shows a montage of scenes as the narrator explains how the air field came to fruition, and the various civilian and military personnel responsible for the project. There is a look at the village as it was before it was “pressed between concrete and aluminum.” Maps of the air base and facilities and interspersed with scenes of engineers examining plans and eventually setting up a camp (mark 07:08). Air Force personnel and civilians are shown receiving shipments of supples and heavy equipment as the film continues, with a flurry of construction scenes shown starting at mark 13:00. Each step of the process is accompanied by a narration and it is excitedly revealed how the aluminum matting for the runway was finished by December 1966 (mark 20:44) - more than a month ahead of schedule - as an Air Force C-130 and C-134 are shown landing at the new airstrip. The aircraft carried additional equipment for the base in preparation for the arrival of the F-100 Tactical Fighter Squadrons of the 31st Fighter Wing. The official opening of the Tua Hua Air Base is shown with a flag raising ceremony at mark 22:00. As the film approaches its ending we're told how the air base was used to launch strikes against various North Vietnamese targets before taking a final look at opening day ceremonies and the finishing touches of the bases.
We encourage viewers to add comments and, especially, to provide additional information about our videos by adding a comment! See something interesting? Tell people what it is and what they can see by writing something for example: "01:00:12:00 -- President Roosevelt is seen meeting with Winston Churchill at the Quebec Conference."
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFi...
My Seabee Dad has been gone now over 30 years but I still look these films over for a miniscule chance of seeing his face somewhere. He retired a CPO Equipment Operator out of Port Hueneme and had 3 deployments to SVN between 1965-1971 everywhere from Danang to Saigon. Seabees Can Do!! RIP Chief EO John R. Beard.
I also had to laugh when I saw all those Ford vehicles being used on station because my Dad always bought Fords but said it stood for Fix Or Repair Daily!
I was stationed there 1/69 to 1/70, 31st FMS Crash Recovery Section. I know that cement runway real well. Drove and operated a huge 50 ton crane on it many times. We rotated two man shifts that were stationed at the end of the runway and gathered drag chutes from the returning fighters while the rest of the crew were on alert to handle any incoming emergencies. We worked 24 hr shifts with two crews. It got where I could no longer tell what day of the week it was and it really didn't matter cause we worked everyday 365 days a yr. I'll never forget that place.
When I was there early in l967 the runway consisted of thick metal plates. The F100's took off and landed on metal plates.
I was tuy hoa 38 arrs Dec 67 Dec 68 we have reunions ever 2 years next on will be 2023 Sept I think
@@paulgoodrich9926 the reunions you mentioned are they for Aerial Sq members stationed there or anyone who was assigned to that base?
Arrived at Tuy Hoa on Oct 6, 1970 (after spending 3 days at the terminal in Cam Rhan Bay) only to find the base was in the processing of closing down. All of the F-100s were gone and there were still a lot personnel coming in. When I arrived was processed in then told to put my name on a list for reassignment and to leave. Spent 3 weeks waiting to get out with nothing to do except go to the beach during the day and the Airmen's club at night. Reassigned to Tan Son Nhut in Saigon to finish up my year tour. In between sent TDY to Phan Rang and back to Cam Rhan Bay where I started in first place. Left Country out of Tan Son Nhut on Oct 2, 1971.
Question. What was the average salary for a solider during that time? Just saying for your rank ?
@@ottomanfred2473 I was an E-3 at the time I can not remember exactly what my pay was at that time. It was probably around $200.00 a month which included $65.00 a month hazardous duty pay.
it closed down for the Air Force but was then occupied by the Army. Left there in Dec. of 1971. 134th Assault Helicopter Company was standing down.
I was there 66-67 with the 820th red horse
.we built a lot of that base
67-68 in HH-43 Rescue Det. Pulled alert in an old Army tent between the runway and taxiway. Built character!
I was stationed at Nha Trang from 1967 to 1969. We used to fly over Tuy Hoa everyday. It was a big base in the middle of no where. There were no villages or civilians living in the area, very bare, no trees no vegatation. The Vietnamese government removed any and all building that were built by the American government. The only thing left that is reconizable are the runways that were constructed. Except for Ton Sa Nut airport. I would imagine now that Vietnam and China are not on a friendly terms, I'll bet the Vietnamese wish they would have kept up those bases. All of them are gone. Nha Trang AFB, Cam Rahn Bay, Phan Rang, Quin Nhon, Pleiku they are all gone. Those are the ones I remember the most.
Thanks for your service to our great nation.
hello Larry Crawford
I lived in Tuy Hoa it had large village . Meet and married my wife on my 5th Tour. The Airforce on gate could not tell you what was 100 yards outside the gate. Rolling gun vehicles from NaTrang to Plekui 70-72'
Thanks Periscope and good to see R.M.K. chugging along and my back and shoulders hurt just watching those Euc pans. Thanks again!
Love our channel? Help us save and post more orphaned films! Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/PeriscopeFilm Even a really tiny contribution can make a difference.
I was stationed at Tuy Hoa AFB over the cold, rainy winter of '66-'67 with a small group from the 459th Signal Battalion of the US Army. Tuy Hoa AFB was a great place to be stationed, and - in hindsight - I enjoyed every minute of my time there. The food at their huge, metal, "Butler-Building" mess hall was definitely something to look forward to. I also remember a separate place outside the airbase which we referred to as 'Tin City.' It was a small, well kept village of bars and bar girls. I had the impression that 'Tin City' had the official blessing of the U.S. military. I don't remember the geographic location of 'Tin City' relative to the base perimeter, but they could not have been too far apart.
Thanks for your service to our great nation.
From the base, to get to Tin City, do you remember if you had to cross over some elevated rail tracks? The tracks would have been outside the perimeter, between the base and Tin City...assuming I'm even talking about the same place.
@@tomporter9837, no, I don't remember any railroad tracks, but they could certainly have been there. I don't remember hearing or seeing any trains near the base, but there was a long, long railroad bridge going into the town of Tuy Hoa.
Man, that's not how i recall the "dining" hall. First day i was in the mess hall there was tiny ants in the bread. The cook says "Ignore them everybody else does" I guesss that meant there's worse shit here. I soon discovered the Air Force got its food provisions from the Army so they, the Army. dumped all the spoiled food and rotten meat on the Air Force. For the entire next year I heated up Campbells soup in my hootch and ate that. I lost 40 lbs in VN. My parents asked me if the Air Force fed me when I got back. They thought I was starving. I told them I got physically sick whenever I tried to eat in the Mess Hall.
@@jitterdude , were you stationed at Tuy Hoa AFB in the winter and spring of 1967? I don't recall such ants and I don't remember anyone else talking about any ants in the bread. I had a friend in Nha Trang and he talked about their cooks selling their food on the black market. He's still bitter about that. He did not eat well.
CAME IN ON SECOND PLANE FROM HOMESTEAD WITH THE 31ST TFW DEC. 66---WELCOME HOME BROTHERS, MIKE
Thanks for your service to our great nation.
I was there with the 553 Engineers we assisted in placing the aluminum planks for this air strip, it was a hot and muggy during this effort, what's interesting is the Air Force gets all the credit but we who participated know who we were. That's politic's.
Occasionally I would sit beside those slick-looking, planks and photograph F100's taking off. Did the U.S. have anything to do with the construction of "Tin City"?
I am glad I found this video. This is not the name I was born with. One of my father's brothers was a senior member of the Teamsters Union. My Uncle gave me a medallion that was given to him by the U.S. On the front there is a depiction of someone working in a rice paddy and on the back it reads: "PROJECT TURNKEY - TUY HOA - VIETNAM - 1966-1967" and I wondered what involvement the Teamsters Union had in a project in Vietnam.
Bless you Anerican Trade Unions for your high skill and dedication.
I was there with the 820th redhorse from October 66-67
I was near there U.S. Army Engineers 572nd. during this time.
Just after gulf war one I was detached to Saudi Arabia, living and working alongside the United States military, they very graciously shared all of their facilities that had been built from scratch or in adapted buildings etc, and it was a little America, pizza places, bars (no alcohol mind) international telephone system, medical facilities that put a hospital to shame, a whole recreation area with a swimming pool, driving range, batting cages, and all free of charge. Thanks America for making a difficult time so much easier to deal with.
Picture this expense and effort at dozens and dozens of Vietnamese towns, ...airfields, roads, ports, phone systems, power, pipelines.... All that and 50,000 American lives... and we lose! Amazing. (3 tours in Vietnam, don't talk to me.)
I just pulled one and I agree 100%!
I hear ya brother
i got there May 1970. was a crew chief on the F-100Ds. was there for the phasing out of the planes. when they left i was in limbo. still had six months left on tour. so the AF decided to assign me to the army riding shotgun in truck convoys to Qui Nohn until my orders came down sending me to Danang to finish tour.
tried to KIA you huh?
Airport is still there its called "Dong Tac Airport " Tuy Hòa has grow quite large.
Spent 8 months hauling bombs and ammunition from Vung Ro Bay to Tuy Hoa via Army Barc's. Air Base was like going to Disneyland for us poor soldiers. Great beaches too.
Courtesy of the USA.
@@allencourser6856 Heard Tuy Hoa and especially Vung Tau were really great places for some R&R, at least really great as you can get in Vietnam.
Phu Hiep.....
Reported to Tuy Hoa AB on 30 Dec 1968, departed on 29 Dec 1969
The amount of money spent is amazing. Shipping a concrete plant from Florida?!
Unreal - and it was closed three years later.
Went active duty 28 Jan 68, I was stationed there as a crew chief on the Hun ..C model. Tuy Hoa....home of Missy Dao
I got curious and just looked this up on Google Maps... it's Tuy Hoa Airport now. They built a nice glass and steel terminal building, the aluminum runways were torn up but the concrete runway is still in service, some quonset hangars still there (looks like part of it might be a reserve or training base for Vietnamese military?) and the rest apparently was razed to the ground. The streets are still barely visible but the buildings all are apparently gone, except a couple nice modern houses behind the airport (probably for the airport manager or something?) The area certainly seems to have grown and appears pretty prosperous now, looking at "street view" photos of the park and the town. Certainly came a long way from the villages they were showing in the film! OL J R :)
Great work well done to them.
I was stationed there early to mid 1970 then went to phan rang. Det 5 600 photo. Worked on f100s
You're old now, aren't you? Now, it's changed a lot here, but the planning is not in the style of a chessboard like in 1967, I'm in Vietnam and near Tuy Hoa airport.
Narration by Mike Wallace? Solid voice.
Well I stand by my statements about the mess hall at tuy hoa. The other guys in my Hooch ate barbecue chicken and steak and went to the airman's club for their meals. Maybe they cleaned up their act after I left in 69. Or perhaps earlier they were better and It got worse. I don't know.when I got back I was in what I think the best Air Force facilities in the states that was Peterson Field and Ent afb Colorado springs. I got used to not going to the mess hall so I didn't eat there either. Although it was the best dining facilities in the Air Force they said.
I was there Dec 68 to 69 worked at age on the flight line chow hall..ha..food poison esp thanksgiving work all nite and morning for takeoffs
I was there in the AGE Shop from Nov68-69. We had a pretty good AGE Shop. Chief Compton and Msgt Bragg were nice to work for.
"Dining halls...". Sorry to be petty, but that is funny.
War is good business, invest your children.
DUMB ASS.
Napalm sticks to kids
Meat for the grinder
Dude at 21:19 didn't salute!
Chris, the airman in work cloths is a 'full bird colonel' greeting the first pilot landing. Then in battle zones, no allowed open salutes.
@@twoZJs thanks I didn’t know this!👍
Where are the SEABEES ?
Viet Nam country
they were called Red Horse. they built most of the bases.
I was 50 clicks south K9 camp...
981st MILITARY POLICE...WE HAD
HOOCHES WITH TIN ROOFS...DOG KENNELS 🐕 AND A MESS HALL...WE GUARDED AN AMMO DUMP...WE CONTROLLED THE ROAD TO THE VILLE...AIR FORCE HAD TO TRADE TO GET THERE FOR HOES...😂🤣😅
Probably why Red Horse had squadron bars in some of their barracks.
i have a large brass key that my grandfather gave me, it says project turnkey toy hoa 1966/67, does anyone know anything about it?
Narration by Mike Wallace? Solid voice.
No, not Mike Wallace.