Korat air force base Thailand

• Strategic Location: Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base is located in Nakhon Ratchasima Province, northeastern Thailand, and was a key United States Air Force (USAF) base during the Vietnam War due to its proximity to Indochina. • Vietnam War Role: The base served as a major hub for air operations, hosting numerous USAF tactical fighter wings and playing a critical role in bombing missions over North Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. • Operation Rolling Thunder: Aircraft from Korat participated in Operation Rolling Thunder, the sustained bombing campaign against North Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. • Home of the "Wild Weasels": Korat was home to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, which operated F-105 Thunderchiefs and specialized "Wild Weasel" missions—dangerous flights to suppress enemy air defenses (SEAD). • First Combat Use of F-105G: The base saw the first combat use of the F-105G "Wild Weasel" aircraft in 1970, equipped to locate and destroy enemy surface-to-air missile sites. • Secret Missions: Korat was a launching point for covert missions, such as "Operation Commando Hunt," targeting the Ho Chi Minh Trail, the main supply route for North Vietnamese forces. • Home to Multiple Units: Besides USAF units, the base hosted Royal Thai Air Force squadrons, and sometimes US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft on temporary duty. • Agent Orange Storage: The base was among several in Thailand where Agent Orange herbicide was stored and reportedly used during the Vietnam War, leading to ongoing veterans' health concerns. • Closure and Return: Following the US withdrawal from Southeast Asia, Korat Air Base was returned to Thai control in 1976, marking the end of a significant era of American military presence. • Present Day Operations: Today, Korat remains an active Royal Thai Air Force base, hosting regular exercises with US and allied forces, including the annual "Cobra Gold" joint military exercise.