North American F-100D-60-NA Super Sabres Serials 56-2927 (Front) and 56-2952 of the 309th TFS on the ramp at Tuy Hoa, April 1970.North American F-100D-25-NA Super Sabre Serial 55-3642 of the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron.North American F-100D-90-NA Super Sabre Serial 56-3311 of the 306th Tactical Fighter Squadron.North American F-100C-25-NA Super Sabres on the flightline from the Federalized 188th Tactical Fighter Squadron, New Mexico Air National Guard, 1968. Serial 54-2045 is in foreground.355th TFS F-100D 56-3456 1969
In September 1965 Tuy Hoa was identified as a potential site for an air base and in October, following feasibility and soil studies, CINCPAC recommended construction of a base there. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) originally opposed the decision based on cost, logistical, construction capacity/manpower and security concerns, but in December it agreed to begin construction in January 1966. However, in January construction was postponed by MACV in favour of constructing Phù Cát Air Base.[1] In order to speed up construction of the Tuy Hoa base, in February 1966 Air Force SecretaryHarold Brown approached Defense SecretaryRobert McNamara for approval to engage a private contractor to build the base.[1]: 120–1 After overcoming opposition from CINCPAC and MACV, the USAF signed a Turnkey contract with Walter Kidde Constructors, Inc. to build the base on 27 May 1966. Walter Kidde committed to achieved interim capability within 7 months of contract signing, complete the base within one year and open permanent port facilities within 15 months.[1]: 121–2
Walter Kidde began construction in June and on 15 November 1966, 45 days ahead of schedule, interim capability was achieved when the 308th Tactical Fighter Squadron equipped with F-100 Super Sabres began arriving at the base. Over the following month the F-100 equipped 306th and the 309th Tactical Fighter Squadrons arrived at the base and on 16 December 1966 the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing became operational at the base.[1]: 155 [2] Walter Kidde completed the entire contract on schedule and within budget.[1]: 300
In November 1966 McNamara instructed the Joint Chiefs of Staff to investigate the possibility of basing 15 B-52s at Tuy Hoa. This proposal was opposed by the Joint Chiefs, USAF Secretary Brown and CINCPAC on cost and security grounds.[1]: 153
On 13 July 1970 the last "Wonderarch" concrete and steel aircraft protection shelters were completed at the base.[3]: 70–1
On 15 October 1970 the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing left Tuy Hoa and moved without personnel or equipment to Homestead Air Force Base.[2]: 55–6
US Army use
In late 1970, the base was renamed Tuy Hoa Army Airfield and various U.S. Army units, including all army aviation units based at Phú Hiệp Airfield were relocated here.[5] The facility was turned over to South Vietnamese government control on 15 January 1972.
Martin, Patrick (1994). Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History. ISBN0-88740-513-4.
Mesco, Jim (1987) VNAF Republic of Vietnam Air Force 1945-1975 Squadron/Signal Publications. ISBN0-89747-193-8
Mikesh, Robert C. (2005) Flying Dragons: The Republic of Vietnam Air Force. Schiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN0-7643-2158-7