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  Soc Trang Army Airfield 
Vietnam - 1963

In 1963 I was assigned to the US Army's 18th AOD (Aviation Operating Detachment) in Soc Trang, South Vietnam. The 18th main duties were to provide air traffic control and base operations for the airfield. We provided air traffic control services ( control tower and GCA (Ground Control Approach) radar)  for the US Army 93rd Transportation Company and the USAF 34th Tactical Group (Det 2). The 93rd were using CH-21C helicopters and the 34th used FT-28's converted from T-28's for fighter support. In June of 63 the 93rd was redesignated the 121st Aviation Company. The 80th Transportation Detachment (Maintenance) was also stationed there. The following pictures are black and white and have started to yellow some what.

(Click on photo to see larger version)

	The 18th Airfield Operation Detachment (AOD) Soc Trang, RVN  1963
	Aerial view of Soc Trang, on February 8, 1962. 15 H-21's are visible; H-21C, s/n 56-2056 , and one other in the air, three just touched down on the right side just south of the GCA antenna unit. Six more on the left side of the apron and three in front of the 80th Trans. Det. hanger. Visible on the right side, north of the tower are six UH-1's of the UTT Company. A U-1A Otter and a L-19 Bird Dog are parked on the left side and another L-19 parked behind the tower. (US Army Photograph from the collection of Ralph Young)
	Soc Trang from the air
	Main drag in downtown Soc Trang
	River off the main drag
	ARVN guard on duty on the main road, east of the field
	First control tower was on a duce and half truck and located on the east side of the airfield. The light bar below window was for controlling traffic crossing the runway
	A wooden structure was build to the left of Base OPs (west side of the airfield) and the tower cab was lifted from the truck
	Inside view of the tower  (it had two positions)
	Cleared to land
	Base OPs building to the left with the maintenance hanger behind
	18th AOD, 93rd Transportation Company and the 80th Trans. Det logos in Base Ops
	Welcome sign to Soc Trang when the 93rd became the 121st Aviation Company
	121th Aviation Company patch (courtesy Patrick Kelly) 121th Aviation Company Web Page :  http://benchmarkcomputer.com/vietnam/
	Weird clouds over base ops, it's going to rain
	The runway was down the center of the airfield with aircraft parked on both sides. A C-130 is starting his takeoff roll in the background
	C-130 lifting off, heading north
	CH-21C with machine gunner in right front door taxi's past the tower. In the background by base ops is a L-19 on the left side and a Air America Helio Courier on the right.
	CH-21Cs on the ramp with ARVN troops on ramp waiting to board. The GCA unit is to the left of the CH-21C
	Cockpit of a CH-21C
	Interior of a CH-21C
	ARVN troops board CH-21C
	Ouch
	Army L-19  54704  (Bird Dog) in front of base ops (note Soc Trang tiger logo on the tail)