The Facility the Marines operated out of in Chu Lai,RVN.Whas it a Base,Field,Air Station.What?I was there in paraloft (MAG 12)in 69'it never occured to me to ask OIC or the AMO.What were we then? A MCAS,a MCB or a MCAF?Any thoughts on this you "wingers" out there? Semper Fi!

The History Channel had a segment, in a series called the "10,000 Day War", about Chu Lai. If my memory is correct, it was referred to as an air base. I never heard Chu Lai referred to as a Marine Corps Air Station while I was there.

I am also a rigger and was with H&MS-13 and VMFA-323 (MAG-13) from 1966 to 1967.

I am really not sure what the difference is between an air base and an air station. Google did not provide a lot of help.

S/F
Jon

JHODGS1,
Just wondering if you had any kin in the Marine Corps. The reason for my question...during the Korean War I was in VMF-115. And our senior rigger was named Hodges, he was a Staff or Tech. Sargent.
S/F
Tipath

TipPath:

The rigger that you refer is not related to me.

I come from a Navy family. My father was a Coxswain in WWII and landed Marines on Okinawa He retired from the Coast Guard. My youngest brother was Navy EOD and retired as a CWO 4.

S/F

Jon

Jon,

Thanks for the reply.
Tipath

Benny...

in 1966, while it was called alot of things, I never heard Chu Lai referred to as an MCAS or MCAF... I don't even remember it referred to as MCB, tho offically that is probably what it was...

I think us early locals just referred to it as Chu Lai..or Chu Lai Airfield...not much else besides alot of sand...

quote:

Originally posted by jhodges1:
I am also a rigger and was with H&MS-13 and VMFA-323 (MAG-13) from 1966 to 1967.

jhodges...do you remember an LT/Capt named Fred Van Houten in H&MS 13 about the same time??

Thanx Bob,reason I asked is I am getting all my Base and Unit patch's replaced I lost in a flood long time ago.Sgt Grit and US Medals have been helpful in that regard.The H&MS 12 patch is hard to find.Thought maybe there was a Chu Lai base patch of some kind.Thanx for responses you guys,Semper Fi!

Some of the early (1965) command chronologies called it "Chu Lai Expeditionary Airfield". Kind of like the "29 Palms Expeditionary Airfield".

When our squadron HMM-361 arrived in Da Nang in August 1965, it seems to me we flew about 50% of our missions down Chi Lai way. I can recall being on SAR alert down there in a tent by the SATS runway. VMF-311 was really pumping out the flights. All the landings were by the hook. Sure did remind one of a flight deck.

S/F
Tipath