ATSB Ben Keo, South Vietnam

• Location and Meaning: ATSB Ben Keo was an Advanced Tactical Support Base (ATSB) situated on the Vam Co Tay River in Long An Province, South Vietnam. "Ben Keo" means "Keo Wharf" in Vietnamese. • Strategic Role: The base served as a key riverine outpost for the U.S. Navy's Mobile Riverine Force and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) during the Vietnam War. • Brown Water Navy: ATSB Ben Keo was part of the "Brown Water Navy"—U.S. Navy units operating in the Mekong Delta's rivers, providing support for river patrol boats (PBRs) and monitors. • Establishment: The base was established in early 1968 as part of Operation Giant Slingshot, a campaign to interdict Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army movements across the Cambodian border. • Harsh Conditions: Personnel stationed at Ben Keo faced harsh living conditions, including constant heat, humidity, insects, and the threat of enemy attack. • Frequent Attacks: The base was frequently subjected to mortar and rocket attacks. Notably, on 3 March 1969, ATSB Ben Keo was hit by a significant enemy mortar and ground assault. • Unique Construction: Due to the swampy terrain, much of the base was built on pontoon barges, which could be moved or replaced if damaged. • Joint Operations: U.S. Navy, Army, and ARVN forces jointly operated from Ben Keo, coordinating patrols, ambushes, and interdiction missions along the river. • Support Facilities: The base included helicopter landing pads, repair shops, ammunition storage, and living quarters for several hundred personnel. • Legacy: After the Vietnamization policy and U.S. withdrawal, ATSB Ben Keo was handed over to South Vietnamese forces in the early 1970s and was eventually abandoned after the fall of South Vietnam.