Firebase Betty

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) base south of Phan Thiết in Bình Thuận Province, southern Vietnam.

Firebase Betty
21 September 1967
Coordinates10.908°N 108.074°E / 10.908; 108.074 (Firebase Betty)
TypeArmy
Site information
Conditionabandoned
Site history
Built1966
In use1966-75
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Garrison information
Occupants1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry
3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry
1st Battalion, 50th Infantry
Phan Thiết
Summary
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
07/25 3,600 1,097 asphalt

History

The 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]

5 November 1968

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:

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 3 killed and 29 wounded and 21 PAVN killed and 1 captured[1]

On 24 April 1969 a DC-3 of Far Eastern Air Transport was damaged beyond repair while landing at the airfield.[3]

Current use

The base is abandoned and has reverted to farmland and housing. The former airfield is now Truong Van Ly road.

References
  1. Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. pp. 5–52. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  2. Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 127. ISBN 9780811700719.
  3. "24 April 1969". Aviation Safety network. Retrieved 5 February 2015.
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