MCAS Rose Garden

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Branch

U.S. Marine Corps

Members

About MCAS Rose Garden

MCAS Rose Garden, officially known as Marine Corps Air Station Nam Phong, was a United States Marine Corps airbase located in northeastern Thailand during the Vietnam War. Established in 1972, the base primarily supported combat operations in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, serving as a forward operating location for Marine Aircraft Group 15 (MAG-15) and other aviation units. The air station provided a strategic location for air support, maintenance, and logistical operations, significantly enhancing the reach and effectiveness of U.S. air power in the region. MCAS Rose Garden was returned to the Royal Thai Government in 1975 following the reduction of American involvement in Southeast Asia.

Unit Members

Edward Hare

U.S. Marine Corps (1971-1979)

MCAS Rose GardenView Profile

Joseph Heffernan

U.S. Marine Corps

MCAS Rose GardenView Profile

Photos

U.S. Marine Corps • 1976

About MCAS Rose Garden

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Unofficial Name: MCAS Rose Garden was the informal nickname for Nam Phong Royal Thai Air Force Base, used by the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. • Location: The base was located in northeastern Thailand, near the village of Nam Phong, in Khon Kaen Province. • Origin of the Name: The nickname "Rose Garden" was a tongue-in-cheek reference to the rough living conditions, inspired by the popular song “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” • Marine Air Group: MCAS Rose Garden was primarily operated by Marine Aircraft Group 15 (MAG-15), including F-4 Phantom IIs, A-6 Intruders, and KC-130 Hercules aircraft. • Secretive Beginnings: The base was rapidly constructed in secrecy in 1972 to support U.S. air operations after the closure of air bases in South Vietnam. • Harsh Conditions: Marines and support personnel arrived at a base that was still under construction, facing tents for housing, limited facilities, and snakes and scorpions as common hazards. • Combat Operations: Aircraft from MCAS Rose Garden flew combat missions over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, supporting both ground troops and strategic bombing campaigns. • Morale and Camaraderie: Despite the hardships, Marines developed a strong sense of camaraderie and esprit de corps, with the “Rose Garden” name becoming a badge of honor. • Short Operational Period: The U.S. Marine Corps used Nam Phong/MCAS Rose Garden from June 1972 until September 1973, making it one of the shortest-lived Marine air stations. • Legacy: Veterans of MCAS Rose Garden hold reunions and maintain websites to commemorate their unique service, and the base remains a notable part of Marine Corps aviation history in Southeast Asia.