On May 31, a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) F-16 and one Alpha Jet, carried out test flights to assess the newly upgraded Nam Phong air base.
Photos: Thailand Department of Provincial Administration
The base has been designated as a Joint Air Force Training Center for ASEAN. ASEAN stands for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. A political and economic union of 10 member states in Southeast Asia.
The base is expected to host F-16s from Singapore. These fighters are currently base at Royal Thai Air Force Base Udon Thani. However, the local residents have been complaining about noise pollution from the jets flying from Udon Thani. Thus the plan is to relocate the Singapore and Thai fighter aircraft to Nam Phong. Last year, the Falcon Strike exercise between Thailand and China had to take a pause halfway thru the program due to complaints from residents of Udon Thani.
Satellite images show that work to resurface the runway of Nam Phong was completed this year. The runway length is still 3000 meters with directions of 01 and 19. A new parking apron has been added to the facilities there and there construction is still ongoing west of the runway.
Nam Phong Air Base, located in Nam Phong District, Khon Kaen Province, Thailand, holds a significant place in the history of the Vietnam War. Constructed in 1966-1967 by Utah Mining Company, the base was initially intended to support EC-121 aircraft and potentially house three tactical aircraft squadrons. However, it was completed as a “bare base” to facilitate disbursal and theater force staging.
During the conflict, Nam Phong Air Base played multiple roles. From 1969 to 1975, it served as a crucial site for covert Laotian and Thai Special Operations Forces under Project 404 (Palace Dog) and Project Unity. In June 1972, it became a concurrent base of operations for U.S. Marine Corps air operations led by Marine Aircraft Group 15, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing.
The base’s significance grew when squadrons that had previously been stationed at Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam were relocated to Nam Phong. This move was initiated in June 1972 to bolster air operations in response to the Easter Offensive. The initial conditions at the base were challenging, with the airfield situated amidst dense jungle. However, efforts by the United States Navy Seabee battalion (MCB 5) rapidly transformed the area. Despite the rugged environment, the base acquired the nickname “The Rose Garden,” drawing inspiration from a popular song by Lynn Anderson and a Marine recruiting campaign.
A range of squadrons operated from Nam Phong Air Base, including H&MS-15, MABS-15, VMFA-115, and VMFA-232, which utilized F-4 Phantom II aircraft. VMA(AW)-533 deployed A-6 Intruders, VMGR-152 operated KC-130 Hercules aircraft, and H&MS-36, Det “D” utilized CH-46 Sea Knights.