Firebase Betty (also known as Currahee Base Camp, Landing Zone Betty or Phan Thiết) is a former U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) firebase south of Phan Thiết in Bình Thuận Province, southern Vietnam.
Firebase Betty | |
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Coordinates | 10.908°N 108.074°E / 10.908; 108.074 (Firebase Betty) |
Type | Army |
Site information | |
Condition | abandoned |
Site history | |
Built | 1966 |
In use | 1966-75 |
Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Garrison information | |
Occupants | 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry |
Phan Thiết | |||||||||||
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The base was established at the French-era Phan Thiết airfield approximately 5 km southwest of Phan Thiết and 2 km east of Highway 1.[1]
The first U.S. Army unit based here was the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry from September 1966 to December 1967 as part of Operation Byrd.[2]
The 192nd Assault Helicopter Company was based here from October 1967 to January 1971.[2]: 122
The 3rd Battalion, 506th Infantry was based here from February 1968 to December 1969 giving the base its alternative name of Currahee Base Camp.[2]: 159
The 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry was based here from October 1969 to December 1970.[2]: 151
Other U.S. Army units based here included:
On the morning of 25 February 1968 the base was hit by People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) mortar and rocket fire which exploded an ammunition bunker and was followed by a PAVN sapper attack. U.S. losses were three killed and 29 wounded and 21 PAVN killed and one captured[1]
On 24 April 1969 a Douglas DC-3 of Far Eastern Air Transport was damaged beyond repair while landing at the airfield.[3]
The base is abandoned and has reverted to farmland and housing. The former airfield is now Truong Van Ly road.