Marble Mountain Air Facility
Encyclopedia
Marble Mountain Air Facility (MMAF) was an aviation facility used primarily by the United States Marine Corps
during the Vietnam War
. It was a helicopter facility that was constructed in August 1965 and served as home to Marine Aircraft Group 16
, the 5th Special Forces Group
and an assortment of other squadrons until May 1971. It was controlled by the United States Army
from May 1971 through August 1972 and finally by the South Vietnamese Air Force from August 29, 1972 through March 29, 1975 when it fell to the North Vietnamese Army. It was located in Quang Nam Province
5 miles (8 km) southeast of Da Nang Air Base
on a strip of beach between China Beach
and the Marble Mountains
.
announced that the U.S. would increase the number of its forces in South Vietnam
from 75,000 to 125,000. Shortly thereafter the Joint Chiefs of Staff
dispatched Marine Aircraft Group 16
(MAG 16) to Vietnam on top of the three Marine helicopter squadrons already there. This rapid build-up of helicopters and other aircraft from the United States Air Force
at Da Nang saturated the base and had the leaders of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
(I MAW) quickly looking for an alternate site for their helicopter squadrons. The Marines ultimately chose a stretch of sandy beach on the South China Sea
that was about five miles southeast of Da Nang and just north of a series of red marble mountains for their first helicopter facility. American military construction units were overtasked at the time so the initial construction of the field was done by Raymond, Morrison-Knudson/Brown, Root & Jones (RMK-BRJ). By the end of August 1965, they had completed a 2000 ft runway and on August 26, MAG 16 officially moved in. A week later Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
(MACV) would approve the name Marble Mountain Air Facility.
On the evening of 27–28 October approximately 90 Viet Cong attacked MMAF. They attacked under the cover of 60mm mortar fire using four demolition teams armed with bangalore torpedo
es and hand grenade
s. They were able to reach the MAG 16 ramp
destroying 19 aircraft and damaging another 35. VMO-2
took the brunt of the attack with thirteen of its UH-1E Hueys
destroyed leaving the squadron with only four serviceable aircraft. The attack left two Marines and one Navy Corpsman
killed in action with another 91 wounded in action. Forty-one enemy were killed during the battle along with four wounded that were taken prisoner
MMAF also saw the arrival of the first CH-46 Sea Knight
helicopters in Vietnam when HMM-164 arrived on 8 March 1966 with twenty-seven aircraft from the USS Valley Forge (LPH-8)..
On 31 January 1968, on the first day of the Tet Offensive, MMAF received twenty-nine incoming enemy 122mm rockets resulting in one minor injury and minor damage to one CH-53A Sea Stallion
and substantial damage to another four CH-53As. Ten CH-46As and eight UH-34Ds also received limited damage. Four VMO-2
UH-1E Hueys armed helicopters were launched in defense of MMAF and engaged enemy units.
Beginning in 1969 the United States began to draw down its forces in Vietnam and by mid-October all remaining Marine helicopter squadrons were consolidated at MMAF. On 1 June 1971 Marble Mountain Air Facility was turned over to the United States Army
.
In February 1971 the 11th Aviation Group
was assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade and redeployed to Marble Mountain. In August 1972 the Group departed Marble Mountain Army Airfield and resettled at Da Nang Air Base.
Marine Aircraft Group 16
16th Combat Aviation Brigade - December 1966 - 1969
282nd Assault Helicopter Company - 1966 - 1970
11th Aviation Group
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
. It was a helicopter facility that was constructed in August 1965 and served as home to Marine Aircraft Group 16
Marine Aircraft Group 16
Marine Aircraft Group 16 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of one CH-46 Sea Knight squadron, four V-22 Osprey squadrons, four CH-53 Super Stallion squadrons, one Personnel Support Detachment and a maintenance and...
, the 5th Special Forces Group
5th Special Forces Group (United States)
The 5th Special Forces Group is a United States Army Special Forces unit that was activated on 21 September 1961 during the Cold War.-Unit history:...
and an assortment of other squadrons until May 1971. It was controlled by the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from May 1971 through August 1972 and finally by the South Vietnamese Air Force from August 29, 1972 through March 29, 1975 when it fell to the North Vietnamese Army. It was located in Quang Nam Province
Quang Nam Province
Quảng Nam is a province on the South Central Coast of Vietnam. It is bordered by Thua Thien-Huế province to the north, the nation of Laos to the west, Kon Tum Province to the southwest, Quảng Ngãi Province to the southeast, the South China Sea to the east, and the city of Da Nang to the...
5 miles (8 km) southeast of Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base
Da Nang Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War , stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there...
on a strip of beach between China Beach
China Beach
China Beach is an American dramatic television series set at an evacuation hospital during the Vietnam War. The title refers to My Khe beach in the city of Da Nang, Vietnam, which was nicknamed "China Beach" by unknown foreigners, most likely Americans...
and the Marble Mountains
Marble Mountains (Vietnam)
Marble Mountains is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills located in Ngu Hanh Son ward, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. The five 'mountains' are named after the five elements; Kim , Thuy , Moc , Hoa and Tho ....
.
History
On July 28, 1965, President Lyndon B. JohnsonLyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
announced that the U.S. would increase the number of its forces in South Vietnam
South Vietnam
South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
from 75,000 to 125,000. Shortly thereafter the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
dispatched Marine Aircraft Group 16
Marine Aircraft Group 16
Marine Aircraft Group 16 is a United States Marine Corps aviation unit based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar that is currently composed of one CH-46 Sea Knight squadron, four V-22 Osprey squadrons, four CH-53 Super Stallion squadrons, one Personnel Support Detachment and a maintenance and...
(MAG 16) to Vietnam on top of the three Marine helicopter squadrons already there. This rapid build-up of helicopters and other aircraft from the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
at Da Nang saturated the base and had the leaders of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing
1st Marine Aircraft Wing
The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing is an aviation unit of the United States Marine Corps that serves as the Aviation Combat Element of the III Marine Expeditionary Force. The wing is headquartered at Camp Foster on the island of Okinawa, Japan...
(I MAW) quickly looking for an alternate site for their helicopter squadrons. The Marines ultimately chose a stretch of sandy beach on the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
that was about five miles southeast of Da Nang and just north of a series of red marble mountains for their first helicopter facility. American military construction units were overtasked at the time so the initial construction of the field was done by Raymond, Morrison-Knudson/Brown, Root & Jones (RMK-BRJ). By the end of August 1965, they had completed a 2000 ft runway and on August 26, MAG 16 officially moved in. A week later Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
The U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, MACV, , was the United States' unified command structure for all of its military forces in South Vietnam during the Vietnam War.-History:...
(MACV) would approve the name Marble Mountain Air Facility.
Bangalore torpedo
A Bangalore torpedo is an explosive charge placed on the end of a long, extendible tube. It is used by combat engineers to clear obstacles that would otherwise require them to approach directly, possibly under fire...
es and hand grenade
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
s. They were able to reach the MAG 16 ramp
Airport ramp
The airport ramp or apron is part of an airport. It is usually the area where aircraft are parked, unloaded or loaded, refueled or boarded. Although the use of the apron is covered by regulations, such as lighting on vehicles, it is typically more accessible to users than the runway or taxiway...
destroying 19 aircraft and damaging another 35. VMO-2
VMO-2
Marine Observation Squadron 2 was an observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps which saw extensive action during World War II and the Vietnam War. They were based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and saw their final...
took the brunt of the attack with thirteen of its UH-1E Hueys
UH-1 Iroquois
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
destroyed leaving the squadron with only four serviceable aircraft. The attack left two Marines and one Navy Corpsman
United States Navy Hospital Corpsman
A Hospital Corpsman is an enlisted medical specialist for the United States Navy who serves with Navy and United States Marine Corps units. The Hospital Corpsman works in a wide variety of capacities and locations, including shore establishments such as naval hospitals and clinics, aboard ships,...
killed in action with another 91 wounded in action. Forty-one enemy were killed during the battle along with four wounded that were taken prisoner
MMAF also saw the arrival of the first CH-46 Sea Knight
CH-46 Sea Knight
The Boeing Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight is a medium-lift tandem rotor transport helicopter, used by the United States Marine Corps to provide all-weather, day-or-night assault transport of combat troops, supplies and equipment. Assault Support is its primary function, and the movement of supplies and...
helicopters in Vietnam when HMM-164 arrived on 8 March 1966 with twenty-seven aircraft from the USS Valley Forge (LPH-8)..
On 31 January 1968, on the first day of the Tet Offensive, MMAF received twenty-nine incoming enemy 122mm rockets resulting in one minor injury and minor damage to one CH-53A Sea Stallion
CH-53 Sea Stallion
The CH-53 Sea Stallion is the most common name for the Sikorsky S-65 family of heavy-lift transport helicopters. Originally developed for use by the United States Marine Corps, it is also in service with Germany, Iran, Israel, and Mexico...
and substantial damage to another four CH-53As. Ten CH-46As and eight UH-34Ds also received limited damage. Four VMO-2
VMO-2
Marine Observation Squadron 2 was an observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps which saw extensive action during World War II and the Vietnam War. They were based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and saw their final...
UH-1E Hueys armed helicopters were launched in defense of MMAF and engaged enemy units.
Beginning in 1969 the United States began to draw down its forces in Vietnam and by mid-October all remaining Marine helicopter squadrons were consolidated at MMAF. On 1 June 1971 Marble Mountain Air Facility was turned over to the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
In February 1971 the 11th Aviation Group
11th Theater Aviation Command (United States)
The 11th Aviation Command is a United States Army aviation formation consisting of a headquarters company, one aviation brigade, three separate aviation battalions, and an aviation operations battalion, as follows:...
was assigned to the 1st Aviation Brigade and redeployed to Marble Mountain. In August 1972 the Group departed Marble Mountain Army Airfield and resettled at Da Nang Air Base.
Squadrons based at Marble Mountain
The following is an incomplete list of squadrons that were stationed at MMAF during the Vietnam War and the times that they were their:Marine Aircraft Group 16
|
HMM-364 Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-46E Sea Knight transport helicopters... - 10 December 1968 - 16 February 1971 HMH-463 Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of CH-53D Sea Stallion transport helicopters. The squadron, also known as "Pegasus", is based at Marine Corps Air Facility Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii and falls under the command of Marine Aircraft Group... - December 1966 - May 1971 HMLA-167 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters and UH-1N Huey utility helicopters... - 1 April 1968 - June 1971 HMLA-367 Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 is a United States Marine Corps helicopter squadron consisting of AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters, AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helicopters... - December 1969 - June 1971 VMO-2 Marine Observation Squadron 2 was an observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps which saw extensive action during World War II and the Vietnam War. They were based at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan and Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, California and saw their final... - VMO-6 Marine Observation Squadron 6 was an observation squadron of the United States Marine Corps which saw extensive action during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II and the Korean War and Vietnam War. The squadron would become the first Marine Corps helicopter squadron to participate in combat... - November 1967 - September 1969 |
16th Combat Aviation Brigade - December 1966 - 1969
282nd Assault Helicopter Company - 1966 - 1970
11th Aviation Group
|
See also
- United States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps AviationUnited States Marine Corps Aviation is the air component of the United States Marine Corps. Marine aviation has a very different mission and operation than its ground counterpart, and thus, has many of its own histories, traditions, terms, and procedures....
- List of United States Marine Corps installations
- Seaboard World Airlines landing at Marble Mountain