Vinh Long Airfield


Vĩnh Long Airfield is a former United States Army base west of Vĩnh Long in Vĩnh Long Province, Mekong Delta, Vietnam.

History

The base was originally established in 1963 approximately 3 km west of Vĩnh Long and 48 km southwest of Mỹ Tho. The base was named after Captain Roger Gauvin and SP5 Carleton Upton of the 114th Aviation Company who were killed in action on 15 March 1964.
The base was attacked by Vietcong forces as part of the Tet Offensive on 31 January 1968 resulting in seven U.S. killed and three Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters destroyed. In 1970 the Airfield was attacked on May 5th receiving 45 rounds of incoming mortar fire causing heavy damage to helicopters and buildings. Spec 4 Dennis Michael Sheppard was wounded when his bunker took a direct hit. The mortar attack was followed up with a ground assault eventually the enemy withdrew.
The 2nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division comprising:
was based here from April–May 1968.
Other units stationed at Vĩnh Long at various times included:

Current use

The base was renovated into many civil facilities and the runway has become Võ Văn Kiệt street

Accidents and incidents