OL27 Nakhon Phanom Thailand

OL-27, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Base

(aerial photo (480 kbytes) from C. Jeppeson's INVERT site)

OL-27 (call sign BROMO) routinely hit targets in Laos and northern South Vietnam. OL-27 often worked in concert with OL-24 (call sign MILKY) located at Phu Bai/Monkey Mountain, RVN. One site or the other would be primary, with the other as backup. The Ho Chi Minh Trail's main exits from North Vietnam into Laos were Mu Gia, Ban Karai, Ban Raving, and Nape passes. (Map) These provided a number of targets on a continuing basis. OL-27 and OL-24 were also involved in Lam Son 719 early in 1971, when Arc Light strikes were called in to help prevent a complete rout of ARVN forces. OL-27 also struck targets on the Plain of Jars in concert with OL-23 at Udorn, and again with OL-25, against targets on the Bolevens Plateau in southern Laos. OL-27 was involved in the Linebacker I raid on the POL stores and railyard at Vinh, North Vietnam, on 9 April 1972. OL-27 also worked in concert with OL-23, at Udorn, against targets in northern Laos.

Earlier in the war, OL-23 and OL-27 were co-located at NKP. OL-23 later was moved to Udorn. OL-23 was the TSQ-96 system while OL-27 was the TSQ-81, shown in the photos below.

See also Byron Hukee's Combat Journal, covering his tour of duty as an A-1 Skyraider pilot flying out of NKP: http://skyraider.org/hook/ToC.htm

and

Nakhon Phanom During the Secret War 1962-1975: http://aircommandoman.tripod.com/

and

The Vietnam Helicopter History site's nicely done section on Lam Son 719

TSQ-96 Antenna

TSQ-96 Antenna

Looking toward the hootch area. TSQ-81 antenna in foreground; INVERT just beyond, on the right.

Sue on NKP Air Base, 1971

Sue on the Mekong river front, Nakhon Phanom. Laos is across the river.

Sue on our patio, Nakhon Phanom. Thakek, Laos is in the background. North Vietnam and the passes are about 50 miles to the east.

Mike gives Creighton some advice on the war

Steinbrenner, Tony Bellucci, Roger Fortna, "Sal" Saldaña, illegible, prepping for Arc Light strike near Tchepone, Laos. TSQ-81 plotting board far left; radar all the way in the back.

Roger Fortna September 1971

TSQ-81 plotting board area, Roger Fortna foreground, Tony Bellucci and (first name illegible) Steinbrenner

Sue and Vela Bellucci throw a crew bash...

...and a good time was had by all

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Sue Steeves' Tidy Thai site

TSQ-96 Antenna	TSQ-96 Antenna
Looking toward the hootch area. TSQ-81 antenna in foreground; INVERT just beyond, on the right.	Sue on NKP Air Base, 1971
Sue on the Mekong river front, Nakhon Phanom. Laos is across the river.	Sue on our patio, Nakhon Phanom. Thakek, Laos is in the background. North Vietnam and the passes are about 50 miles to the east.
Mike gives Creighton some advice on the war	Steinbrenner, Tony Bellucci, Roger Fortna, "Sal" Saldaña, illegible, prepping for Arc Light strike near Tchepone, Laos. TSQ-81 plotting board far left; radar all the way in the back.
Roger Fortna September 1971	TSQ-81 plotting board area, Roger Fortna foreground, Tony Bellucci and (first name illegible) Steinbrenner
Sue and Vela Bellucci throw a crew bash...	...and a good time was had by all