"WELCOME TO VIETNAM,"
you have 3 minutes to exit the plane!

From an altitude of 3,000 feet, Vietnam looked like any other place I had ever been…well, perhaps it was a bit greener. Oakland, California - the flight's origin - was 20 hours and two landings behind. The plane had refueled in bone chilling minus 14 degrees temperature at Anchorage, Alaska, and then again - in a more temperate climate - at the US Air Force Base in Yokota, Japan. The jet jolted harshly when it had settled onto the runway at Bien Hoa Airfield. Over the intercom the pilot announced: Welcome to Vietnam, Bien Hoa Airbase is presently under mortar attack. When the aircraft stops, gentlemen, you will have three minutes to exit the plane. The runway officer instructs that you stay calm and proceed to the drainage easements on either side of the runway. Remain there until the all clear signal is given. Your crew hopes that you enjoyed your flight and thanks you for flying World Airlines.

 

In 1969 there were two major US Army troop replacement battalions operating in South Vietnam - the 22nd Replacement at Cam Ranh Bay and the 90th Replacement at Long Binh. All troops assigned to units operating in III and IV Corps Tactical Zones went to the 90th for processing in or out of country. Long Binh was a US military designated area within the city limits of Bien Hoa. It sat atop several hillsides a few klicks southeast of Bien Hoa Airbase. In this southward view looking towards the main base entrance off of Route QL-15, the density of US installations on the surrounding hills is apparent. - 9 JAN 69

  

The yellow field of the Republic of Vietnam's flag represented the color of Asian skin. The horizontal bars, the three ancient dynasties of Tonkin, Amman, and Cochin from which Vietnam was formed. The red color of the bars - Vietnamese blood spilt throughout the ages of history to preserve their nation.

 

The 90th Replacement Battalion compound was named Camp Long Binh Junction. All of its streets bore the names of states back in the USA. The base Post Exchange offered many of the comforts of home including a bar with the curious name Kwiki Lounge. The sign nearest the road says Look Sharp - Be Sharp - Salute Sharp. There must have been a lot of lifers in the 90th; I would have replaced the saluting crap with Stay Alive! Too many of the senior grade career soldiers in Vietnam had their priorities askew. -southeast view, 9 JAN 69

 

While waiting for assignment orders in a noisy queue of soldiers, I noticed that the sandy soil around the line occasionally erupted in a small geyser of thrown earth. At first I was not alarmed, thinking it some bizarre Asian insect burrowing a home. After more occurrences at different locations I became aware that a distant POP, barely audible above the chattering soldiers, followed each geyser. A sudden chill swept through my body. Could it be gunshots? No one else in the line seemed to notice. I didn't want to embarrass myself. Several more geysers erupted in rapid succession. I anxiously tapped the shoulder of the fellow ahead of me and asked if he thought someone was shooting at us. He shook his head and contemptuously dismissed my concerns. At that precise moment a gaggle of three helicopter gun ships passed overhead at low altitude and in unison launched a sudden attack at a distant copse of trees. - northeastward view, 9 JAN 69
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Background Sound: "Leaving on a Jet Plane" Peter, Paul , & Mary 1967