Naval Support Facility, Cam Rahn Bay, Vietnam

• Strategic Location: Cam Ranh Bay is considered one of the finest deep-water harbors in the world, making it a highly valued military asset for both logistical and operational purposes. • US Naval Presence: The US Navy established the Naval Support Facility (NSF) at Cam Ranh Bay in 1965 to support escalating military operations during the Vietnam War. • Massive Construction Effort: The Seabees, the US Navy’s construction battalions, transformed Cam Ranh Bay from an undeveloped area into a sprawling modern base, building piers, warehouses, fuel depots, and an airfield. • Logistical Hub: NSF Cam Ranh Bay became the largest US military logistics facility in Vietnam, handling supplies, ammunition, fuel, and repair services for operations throughout the region. • Home to the “Brown Water Navy”: The base supported riverine and coastal patrol boats, including Swift Boats and PBRs, which played a crucial role in securing waterways and denying Viet Cong access. • Vital Air Base: Cam Ranh Air Base, adjacent to the naval facility, hosted USAF, USN, and Marine Corps aircraft, making the area a major launching point for air operations over Vietnam. • Enemy Attacks: Despite its size and importance, Cam Ranh Bay was rarely subject to direct enemy attacks, partly due to its secure geography and strong defensive measures. • “Operation Passage to Freedom”: Before the Vietnam War, Cam Ranh Bay was used during “Operation Passage to Freedom” (1954-1955) to evacuate Vietnamese civilians and French troops from North Vietnam after the Geneva Accords. • Handed to South Vietnam: The US handed over the facility to the South Vietnamese Navy in 1972 as part of the “Vietnamization” policy, but it was captured by North Vietnamese forces in April 1975. • Soviet and Russian Use: After the war, the Soviet Union leased Cam Ranh Bay from Vietnam, using it as a major naval base until 2002, making it a symbol of changing global alliances.