About this Unit
MCAS Marble Mountain, officially known as Marble Mountain Air Facility (MMAF), was established by the United States Marine Corps in August 1965, just south of Da Nang in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam. The base served as a major helicopter facility, supporting Marine, Navy, and Army aviation units conducting combat, resupply, and medevac missions throughout I Corps. MMAF played a crucial role during major operations such as Operation Starlite and the Tet Offensive, providing close air support and logistical support to ground forces. The facility was frequently targeted by enemy attacks until its turnover to the South Vietnamese in August 1971 as part of the U.S. withdrawal.
Historical Facts
•
Strategic Location: MCAS Marble Mountain was situated just south of Da Nang, adjacent to the famous Marble Mountains, making it a key helicopter base for U.S. Marine Corps aviation operations in I Corps Tactical Zone during the Vietnam War.
•
Home to Helicopter Operations: The base was primarily used by Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16) and hosted numerous helicopter squadrons, including CH-46 Sea Knights, CH-53 Sea Stallions, and UH-1 Hueys, providing critical support for troop transport, medevac, and resupply missions.
•
Established in 1965: The air facility was constructed in August 1965 to relieve Da Nang Air Base, which was becoming overcrowded due to increased U.S. involvement in Vietnam.
•
Viet Cong Attacks: MCAS Marble Mountain was the target of a major Viet Cong sapper attack on the night of August 27, 1965, resulting in the destruction of 19 helicopters and significant casualties, highlighting the vulnerability of airfields to enemy infiltration.
•
Namesake: The name "Marble Mountain" comes from the nearby cluster of five marble and limestone hills, each named after one of the five elements in Vietnamese folklore: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth.
•
Medical Evacuation Hub: The base became a vital hub for medevac operations, with thousands of wounded American and South Vietnamese soldiers airlifted to hospitals, saving countless lives during the conflict.
•
Underground Tunnels: The Marble Mountains themselves contained a network of caves and tunnels used by the Viet Cong for shelter, supply storage, and surprise attacks on the nearby base.
•
Home to the "Ugly Angels": HMM-362, known as the "Ugly Angels," was the first Marine helicopter squadron to operate from Marble Mountain, pioneering tactics for helicopter assault and support missions.
•
Closure and Legacy: The base was handed over to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in 1971 as part of the Vietnamization policy and eventually abandoned after the fall of South Vietnam in 1975.
•
Present-Day Use: Today, the former site of MCAS Marble Mountain is partially used for civilian purposes such as Marble Mountain Air Facility (Tân Sơn Nhất Airport Auxiliary) and is a popular area for tourists exploring the Marble Mountains and nearby beaches.
