Da Nang International Airport
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| Đà Nẵng International Airport | |||
|---|---|---|---|
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| IATA: DAD - ICAO: VVDN | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Civil/Military (Joint Use) | ||
| Operator | Middle Airport Authority | ||
| Serves | Da Nang | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 33 ft (10 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 17L/35R | 10,000 | 3,048 | Asphalt |
| 17R/35L | 10,000 | 3,048 | Asphalt |
Đà Nẵng International Airport (IATA: DAD, ICAO: VVDN) is located in Da Nang of central Vietnam. It is the third international airport in the country, besides Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City). It is an important gateway to access central Vietnam.
In addition to its civil aviation, the runway is shared with the Vietnamese Air Force (Khong Quan Nhan Dan Viet Nam). During the Vietnam War Da Nang Air Base was a major United States Air Force (USAF) and South Vietnamese Air Force (SNVAF} facility.
Contents |
[edit] Operating airlines
- Pacific Airlines (Ho Chi Minh City)
- PB Air (Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi)
- Singapore Airlines
- SilkAir (Singapore)
- Vietnam Airlines (Buon Ma Thuot, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Pleiku, Qui Nhon)
Most domestic routes are monopolized by the national flag-carrier Vietnam Airlines. Pacific Airlines, the second largest airline in Vietnam, has daily flights from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City.
[edit] Facilities
The airport has two runways, one 10,000 ft (3,045m) paved runway. The airport has a modern aviation equipment system to handle large aircraft.
Traffic volume at Da Nang averages 100 to 150 flights every 24 hours. Annual traffic is between 800,000 and 1,000,000 passengers. In 2000 the estimated number of passengers was 1.5 million and will grow to 4 million by 2020.
[edit] News
- November 4, 2005: Pacific Airlines inaugurated its daily flight between Da Nang and Hanoi. With the addition of this new route, domestic passengers have more choice to fly between the central city and the capital, the route has been long-time monopolized by Vietnam Airlines. (Note: This flight appears to have been suspended as it is no longer available in 2007).
- In 2006, this airport received, for the first time since 1975, one millions passengers (40,000 international passengers) (compared with 400,000 passengers of the 4th ranked Phu Bai airport and nearly 400,000 passengers of the fifth ranked Cam Ranh airport)
- According to the Feasibility Study Report approved by the Vietnam Prime Minister, a new terminal will be built to meet with the increasing demand. The bidding for this project is under way. Upon completion, this state-of-art terminal will be capable to receive 4 million passengers. The capital estimate for this project is around $ 75 million.
[edit] History of Da Nang International Airport
In 1953/54 the French laid a NATO-standard 7,800-foot asphalt runway at Toluene - later renamed Da Nang, however, there were no runway lights or maintenance buildings. The first aircraft stationed by the French Air Force at Toluene were loaned American B-26s "Invaders" of the Groupe de Bombardement 1/19 Gascogne. In 1954 after the Geneva Peace Accords, these B-26's were returned to the United States.
On 1 July 1955 the newly-independent South Vietnamese Air Force inherited a token force of fifty-eight aircraft. These included a few squadrons of Cessna L-19 observation aircraft, C-47 transports and various utility aircraft. Toluene Airfiled was turned over to civilian use, with the South Vietnamese using facilities at Bien Hoa, Nha Trang and at Tan Son Nhut, near Saigon.
In 1958 the South Vietnamese Air Force re-established a presence at Da Nang, stationing the 1st Liaison Squadron with Cessna L-19s. The South Vietnamese Army (ARVN) also used Da Nang as a ranger training facility.
[edit] USAF Use of Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base became a joint operating airfield when U.S. Forces started to arrive in the early 1960s. As the fighting between the North and South Vietnamese increased, the number of SVNAF units at Da Nang also increased, as did those of the USAF. and U.S Marine air units which swelled the capacity of the base beyond its limits. Covered and open aircraft revetments were constructed on concrete and asphalt parking aprons to protect the assigned aircraft from NVA mortar attacks.
In addition to these permanent assigned combat units, the airfield was a cargo facility for the huge C-141s. C-5s, and contract commercial flights of the Military Airlift Command, as well as a civil terminal for the various domestic airlines.
For the air war over North Vietnam. Da Nang was considered the most suitable diversionary airfield in case of emergency. Landings of this nature became commonplace for Thailand-based USAF fighter bombers. reconnaissance aircraft, strike aircraft from the Navy air-craft carriers stationed in the South China Sea. and damaged aircraft of all air units stationed throughout South Vietnam.
The USAF forces stationed there were under the command of the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF).
The APO for Da Nang Air Base was APO San Francisco, 96337
[edit] Advisory units
On 19 August 1961, President Kennedy approved a long-range radar facility to be sited near Da Nang to observe and report Soviet flights across the Laotian border. On 11 September 1961 the deployment of a mobile combat radar system began from the 507th Tactical Control Group at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina.
On 15 June 1962 personnel of project Mule Train arrived at Da Nang, operating two Fairchild C-123 Providers. These C-123s delivered supplies to distant outposts established by the Army Special Forces along the border with Laos, and to drop South Vietnamese parachute troops in operations against the Viet Cong. They were designated Tactical Air Force Transport Squadron Provisional-2.
The success of project Farm Gate and the Vietnamese AD-6s at Bien Hoa Air Base led to an expansion of the mission. This success eventually moved the SVNAF 1st Fighter Squadron to stage two AD-6s at Da Nang, flown by American pilots durnig 1962.
During April 1963 the arrival of the 777th Troop Carrier Squadron with sixteen C-123s augmented the airlift of the twenty-nine C-123s at Tan Son Nhut Air Base to support the US Special Forces in Vietnam.
By June Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) had 16,652 people, 4,790 of them Air Force. On the 28th, Secretary of Defense McNamara froze MACV strength. To clear up the confusing array of USAF units, PACAF formed new ones without expanding manpower authorizations. At Da Nang, the 23d Air Base Group was created to organize the USAF advisory units stationed there. The Mule Train C-123 unit became the 311th Troop Carrier Squadron.
F-104 Starfighters
During 1964/65 the 23d Air Base Group supported various USAF deployed squadrons through mid-1965. During the early days of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965, North Vietnamese fighter aircraft became a problem for attacking USAF and US Navy strike aircraft. In response, the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing from George AFB, California began regular rotations to Da Nang in April 1965. Their job was to fly MiG combat air patrol (MiGCAP) missions to protect American fighter bombers against attack by North Vietnamese fighters.
The effect of F-104 deployment upon NVN and PRC MiG operations was immediate and dramatic--NVN MiGs soon learned to avoid contact with USAF strikes being covered by F-104s. During the entire deployment of the 476th only two fleeting encounters between F-104Cs and enemy fighters occurred.
[edit] 6252d Tactical Wing
The 6252d Tactical Wing was activated at Da Nang on 18 July 1965, taking over from the 23d Air Base Group. The 6252d was responsible as the host unit and for operational squadrons assigned to Da Nang. Squadrons assigned were:
- 416th Tactical Fighter January 1965 - July 1965 (F-100)
- 476th Tactical Fighter 18 Jul 1965 - 30 Nov 1965 (F-104)
- 8th Bombardment Squadron 18 Jul 1965 - 8 Apr 1966 (B-57)
- 13th Bombardment Squadron 16 Aug 1965 - 8 Apr 1966 (B-57)
- 390th Tactical Fighter 29 Oct 1965 - 8 Apr 1966 (F-4C)
- 480th Tactical fighter 1 Feb 1966 - 8 Apr 1966 (F-4C)
The B-57 equipped 8th and 13th BS had originally deployed from Misawa AB, Japan to Clark AB in the Philippines after the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. Then in 1965 they were sent to South Vietnam, being initially based at Bien Hoa Air Base then to Da Nang to move them closer to North Vietnamese targets.
The F-104s rotated back to George AFB in November 1965 and the F-4Cs of the 390th and 480th TFS from the 366th TFW at Holloman AFB New Mexico assumed the F-104s escort mission. Although the F-104s had not shot down a single MiG, their mere presence as escort aircraft had diminished MiG activity to the point where MiGs were no longer considered as a primary threat to USAF aircraft flying missions over North Vietnam.
[edit] 35th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 35th Tactical Fighter Wing replaced the 6252d TW, being transferred from Yokota Air Base, Japan on 8 April 1966. Its attached operational squadrons were:
- 390th Tactical Fighter 8 Apr - 10 Oct 1966 (F-4C)
- 480th Tactical Fighter 8 Apr - 10 Oct 1966 (F-4C)
- 8th Bombardment Squadron 8 Apr - 15 Aug 1966 (B-57)
- 13th Bombardment Squadron 17 Apr - 10 Oct 1966 (B-57)
- 64th Fighter-Interceptor 10 Jun - 10 Oct 1966 (F-102)
The 35th TFW's mission was to conduct tactical airstrikes within South Vietnam in support of US and ARVN ground forces. These were performed by its F-4 tactical fighter/bombers and the B-57 tactical bomber squadrons.
In June 1966, the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger arrived at Da Nang. The F-102 was part of the backbone of the United States air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets. The aircraft's development was long and troubled, and by the early 1960s it was being replaced by F-101 Voodoos and F-4 Phantom IIs.
In Vietnam, the F-102 was to achieve its only taste of combat. Initially it was deployed to Tan Son Nhut Air Base in March 1962 to provide air defense against the unlikely event that North Vietnamese aircraft would attack the South. By 1966, F-102As stood alert at Bien Hoa Air Base and Da Nang in South Vietnam and at Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base and Don Muang AB in Thailand.
Besides flying air defense sorties, F-102s of the 64th FIS at Da Nang accompanied SAC B-52s on combat air patrols over North Vietnam providing fighter cover against North Vietnamese MiGs. Although missions were flown over North Vietnam, the Southeast Asia-stationed F-102As are not thought to have actually engaged North Vietnamese Air Force fighters in air-to-air combat. In addition, F-102A actually did fly some close-support missions over the South, even though the aircraft was totally unsuited for this role. In these operations F-102s used their heat seeking Falcon missiles to lock onto heat sources over the Ho Chi Minh trail at night, often Viet Cong campfires. This was more of a harassment tactic than it was serious assault. They would even fire their radar-guided missiles if their radars managed to lock onto something. The pilots were never sure if they actually hit anything, but occasionally they would observe secondary explosions
The F-102A established an excellent safety record in Vietnam. After the better part of three years flying air defense and a few combat air patrols for SAC B-52s, the F-102s at Da Nang were eventually withdrawn in June 1969.
On 1 October 1966 the 35th TFW made a name-only transfer to Phan Rang Air Base and was replaced by the 366th Tactical Fighter Wing, making a similar name only transfer to Da Nang from Phan Rang. This move realigned the 366th with the 390th and 480th TFS, which had a historical relationship with the 366th TFW at Holloman and prior to that at Chaumont AB in France.
The 35th, in turn, became an F-100 organization at Phan Rang. The two B-57 squadrons also shifted bases, following the 35th Wing to Phan Rang.
[edit] 366th Tactical Fighter Wing
The 366th Tactical Fighter Wing assumed the host unit function at Da Nang. It was transferred less personnel and equipment ("on paper") from Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, on 10 October 1966, and assigned new squadrons.
The assigned squadrons of the 366th TFW between October 1966 and June 1969 were:
- 389th Tactical Fighter Squadron 10 Oct 1966 – 15 Jun 1969 (F-4C/D)
- 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron 10 Oct 1966 – 30 Jun 1972 (F-4C/D)
- 480th Tactical Fighter Squadron 10 Oct 1966 – 15 Apr 1969 (F-4C/D)
- 64th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron 10 Oct 1966 - 30 Jun 1969 (F-102)
389th Notes: Transferred to Da Nang from Phan Rang AB with the 366th TFW. Aircraft identified by two small red one white stripe on rudder as squadron marking. Tail Codes F-4C: AA, AD, AG, AH, AS, AT, AW, AX, AY. F-4D: AD, AW. Also used AB AK AJ AU AY, (HB 1969 - 71)
390th Notes: Aircraft identified by Blue stripe on rudder as squadron marking. Tail Codes F-4C: BT, BY. F-4D: BN BQ. Also used BD BF BL BY, (LF 1969 - 71).
480th Notes: Aircraft identified byGreen stripe on rudder as squadron marking. Tail Codes F-4C: CH CW CY. F-4D: CM CO CS CW CY. Also used CV (HK 1969 - 71).
Operational sorties by the 366th TFW involved flying cover for F-105 Thunderchief strike aircraft, offering numerous opportunities for aerial combat with North Vietnamese MiG aircraft. 366th TFW pilots scored 18 aerial victories in Southeast Asia.
In 1969, the decision to make the 37th TFW at Phu Cat Air Base an F-4 Wing meant the transfer of the 389th and 480th TFW to the 37th TFW. A squadron each of the 33d TFW at England AFB Louisiana and 475th TFW at Misawa AB Japan were re-assigned to the 366th TFW:
- 4th Tactical Fighter Squadron 12 Apr 1969 – 31 Oct 1972 (F-4E Tail Code: LA)
- 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron 16 Apr 1969 – 31 May 1972 (F-4E Tail Code: LC)
1972 Spring Offensive
When North Vietnam launched its Spring Offensive in 1972 it had every reason to be confident of victory. US forces had been gradually withdrawing from South Vietnam for the previous three years, mass demonstration against American involvement in the conflict, and South Vietnamese failure during Operation Lam Son 719 added to the DRV's confidence. However, it was during this offensive that the North Vietnamese failed as the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) put up heavy resistance and inflicted much damage on their opponents, the result was a military disaster for North Vietnam.
In response to the offensive, additional USAF units were deployed to South Vietnam. The following units were deployed on a TDY bases to the 366th TFW at Da Nang:
- 362d Tactical Electronic Warfare 1 Feb – 27 Jun 1972 (EC–47N/P/Q aircraft)
- 20th Tactical Air Support 15 Mar – 27 Jun 1972 (O-2A, OV-10)
- 35th Tactical Fighter attached 3 Apr – 12 Jun 1972 (F-4D Tail Code: UP)
The 35th TFS, 362d and 20th deployed from the 3d TFW at Kusan AB, South Korea. While the F-4Ds augmented the tactical fighter squadrons of the 366th, The C-47s were assigned an electronic countermeasures mission; the O-2s and OV-10s carried out a forward air control mission.
USAF Withdrawal from Da Nang
Beginning in May 1972, the forces of the USAF were drawndown at Da Nang. The 421st TFS was transferred to Takhli RTAFB Thailand on 31 May 1972. On 27 June 1972 the 4th TFS was also transferred to Takhli.
The TDY squadrons from South Korea returned to Kusan AB in June 1972.
On 30 June 1972 the 390th TFS left the 366 TFW and returned to the United States, joining the 347th Tactical Fighter Wing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho.
Also on 30 June 1972, the 366th TFW was deactivated at Da Nang Air Base, being reactivated at Takhli RTAFB, Thailand the same day.
With the deactivation of the 366th TFW, the major USAF presence at Da Nang Air Base ended.
[edit] Other units At Da Nang
The 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, variously operating HU-16s, HH-3Es and HH-53s, was assigned to Da Nang Air Base for most of the war.
The 6th Air Commando/Special Operations Squradron based at Pleiku Air Base maintained a detachment of Douglas A-1EH "Skyraiders" at Da Nang from 1 April 1968 - 1 September 1969. The unit flew combat missions, including air support for ground forces, air cover for transports, day and night interdiction, combat search and rescue support, armed reconnaissance, and forward air control.
United States Marine Corps: III Marine Amphibious Force; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, 1st Marine Division; 7th Marine Regiment; 27th Marine Regiment;
United States Navy: 3rd Naval Mobile Construction Brigade; Naval Support Activity.
[edit] Known SVNAF Units at Da Nang (June 1974 Table Of Organization)
Da Nang Air Base was the headquarters of the SVNAF 1st Air Division.
41st Tactical Wing
- 110th/120th Liaison Squadron Cessna O-1A, O-2, U-17
- 427th Transport Squadron C-7B
- 718th Reconnaissance Squadron EC-47
- 821st Attack Squadron AC-119K
51st Tactical Wing
- 213th/233d/239th/253d/257th Helicopter Squadron Bell UH-1H
- 247th Helicopter Squadron CH-47A
61st Tactical Wing
- 516th/528th/550th Fighter Squadron A-37B
- 538th Fighter Squadron F-5A/B/E
[edit] Capture of Da Nang Air Base
With the capture of Ban Me Thuot and the Central Highlands by North Vietnamese forces in late March 1975, the disastrous retreat by the ARVN had a profound effect on the South Vietnamese troops and civilians around Hue, Quang Tri, and Da Nang.
Conflicting orders from Saigon caused confusion, lowered morale, and led to troop movements which defied any logic. As rockets and artillery fire began to hit Da Nang Air Base on 28 March, the 1st Air Division was ordered to evacuate. Those ARVN soldiers who did not desert to assist their fleeing families, but instead chose to stand and fight, were overrun.
The troops who somehow managed to escape capture then joined the crazed mob attempting to leave Da Nang on anything that floated. Chaos ruled the streets of Da Nang Easter weekend 1975 as military deserters armed with their combat weapons attempted to dictate the terms of their departure. Before the weekend ended some of the most disciplined members of the armed forces would use their weapons against their countrymen in order to gain passage from Da Nang.
Approximately 130 aircraft managed to evacuate but over 180 were left behind along with huge stocks of fuel and ordinance. Abandoned were thirty-three A-37s, most of which were captured intact by the NVA.
By 30 March one of the largest cities in South Vietnam and its huge air field were under communist control. Coming so soon after the loss of Kontum and Pleiku, the fall of Da Nang caused widespread panic and desertion within the South Vietnamese armed forces. The North Vietnamese, sensing that victory was theirs, deployed their reserves and immediately began pushing south along the coast in what was known as the Ho Chi Minh Campaign, the final push toward Saigon.
[edit] See also
- Noi Bai International Airport
- Tan Son Nhat International Airport
- List of airports in Vietnam
- United States Air Force In South Vietnam
- United States Pacific Air Forces
[edit] References
- Martin, Patrick, Tail Code: The Complete History Of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings, 1994
- Mesko, Jim, VNAF: South Vietnamese Air Force, 1945-1975, 1978
- Ravenstein, Charles A., Air Force Combat Wings: Linege and Honors Histories 1947-1977. Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, 1984
- Endicott, Judy G., USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995. Office of Air Force History
- USAF Historical Research Division/Organizational History Branch - 35th Fighter Wing, 366th Wing
[edit] External links
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
