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History of 8th Field Maintenance Ubon RTAFB Thailand

The 8th Field Maintenance Squadron was a vital support unit assigned to Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, during the Vietnam War. Stationed at Ubon as part of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, the squadron provided essential aircraft maintenance, repair, and logistical support for the wing’s F-4 Phantom II fighter-bombers. Their mission ensured maximum aircraft readiness for combat operations, including air interdiction and close air support missions over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The 8th Field Maintenance Squadron played a key role in sustaining the operational effectiveness of United States Air Force missions from Ubon until the base’s closure in 1974.

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ABOUT 8th Field Maintenance Ubon RTAFB Thailand

  • 8th Field Maintenance Squadron (8th FMS) was a key support unit assigned to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (8th TFW) at Ubon Royal Thai Air Force Base (RTAFB), Thailand, during the Vietnam War era.
  • The squadron was responsible for aircraft maintenance, repair, and servicing of the legendary F-4 Phantom II fighters, ensuring their combat readiness for missions over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
  • Ubon RTAFB was one of the primary bases used by the USAF for air operations in Southeast Asia, and the 8th FMS played a crucial role in supporting the high operational tempo.
  • The unit’s work extended to weapons systems maintenance, including radar, avionics, armament, and electronic countermeasures, which were vital for the survivability of the F-4s in hostile airspace.
  • The 8th FMS's mascot was the “Wolf Pack,” a name that would become synonymous with the 8th TFW and its aggressive spirit on and off the battlefield.
  • During the peak of the Vietnam War, 8th FMS personnel worked around the clock, often under threat of enemy attacks, to keep aircraft operational for nightly bombing runs and air superiority missions.
  • The unit was known for its innovation, frequently improvising repairs or modifications to keep the aging but heavily-tasked F-4s in the air, sometimes using locally sourced materials when official parts were unavailable.
  • Stories circulate of 8th FMS airmen braving incoming rocket attacks to move and repair aircraft, displaying courage under fire and earning commendations for their actions.
  • The squadron supported famous operations like “Operation Bolo”, the 1967 air ambush that decimated North Vietnamese MiG fighters, by ensuring all participating F-4s were in top shape.
  • After the end of the Vietnam conflict and the US withdrawal from Southeast Asia, the 8th FMS’s legacy lived on in the continued use of their maintenance practices and in the pride of the “Wolf Pack” community worldwide.

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