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History of NSA Danang , Chu Lai

**NSA Danang and Chu Lai** were key logistics units of the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. The **Naval Support Activity (NSA) Danang** was established in 1965 to provide critical supply, maintenance, and support operations to U.S. and allied forces in the I Corps Tactical Zone. NSA Danang managed port operations, fuel depots, warehousing, and transportation, becoming the largest naval logistics base in South Vietnam. An extension, **NSA Chu Lai**, supported the nearby Marine Corps base and airfield, ensuring a constant flow of ammunition, fuel, and matériel. Both units played vital roles in sustaining combat operations and enhancing the operational reach of U.S. and South Vietnamese forces until their drawdown in the early 1970s.

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ABOUT NSA Danang , Chu Lai

  • NSA Danang and Chu Lai were key U.S. Navy Support Activities in Vietnam: NSA stands for "Naval Support Activity," and both Danang and Chu Lai served as major logistical hubs for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.
  • Vital Supply Lines: NSA Danang was the largest naval logistics base in I Corps, responsible for supplying everything from ammunition and fuel to food for U.S. and allied forces in the northern part of South Vietnam.
  • Beachhead Beginnings: NSA Chu Lai started as a "bare beach" landing in 1965, with Seabees (Naval Construction Battalions) constructing the port and airfield facilities almost from scratch.
  • Harbor Under Fire: Both NSA Danang and Chu Lai were frequent targets of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army attacks, including rocket and mortar barrages aimed at disrupting logistics.
  • Massive Throughput: At its peak, NSA Danang handled over 350,000 tons of cargo per month, supporting U.S. Marines, Army, Air Force, and South Vietnamese units.
  • Brown Water Navy: NSA personnel operated small boats and barges on rivers and coastal waters, forming part of the "Brown Water Navy" that supplied remote bases and patrolled inland waterways.
  • Humanitarian Efforts: NSA Danang's medical and dental facilities provided care not only for U.S. troops but also for Vietnamese civilians as part of "civic action" programs.
  • Innovative Engineering: The Seabees at Chu Lai built the first operational "SATs" (Short Airfield for Tactical Support), a portable aluminum runway that allowed jet operations within weeks of landing.
  • Agent Orange Storage: The Danang base was one of the primary storage and distribution points for Agent Orange and other herbicides used during the war, later leading to environmental and health concerns.
  • Legacy: After the U.S. withdrawal, the facilities at Danang and Chu Lai were taken over by the Vietnamese military. Today, remnants of the bases are still visible, and some areas have been repurposed for civilian use, while others are sites of ongoing environmental cleanup.

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