I Corps Special Forces Camps: Special Forces Thuong Duc Camp The first PCS Detachment A7/06, which had been transferred to the 5th SFGA as A-109, was sent to various locations for familiarization before opening Thuong Duc o/a 02/13/66. Thuong Duc was converted to 79th Border Ranger o/a 11/15/70. Thuong Duc was located in Thuong Duc District, Quang Nam Province. Mike Force units deployed to Thuong Duc numerous times during the life of the camp. Thuong Duc was located west of Danang in a broad river valley where the Song Vu Gia and Song Con rivers converged. The location marked the division between lowland coastal plain to the east and the mountainous area to the west. The valley was a major avenue of approach to Danang from the mountains to the west. Military control of the valley was key to protecting Danang from major attack, and a primary reason for the camp’s location. The valley was also a highly populated, rich agricultural area and control of the area denied enemy access to major sources of food, laborers and recruits. Adjacent to the Special Forces Camp Thuong Duc was the location for the District Chief’s compound. The I Corps Mike Force deployed often to Thuong Duc for operations in the camp’s AO. On 25 August 1966, A Company deployed to Camp Thuong Duc for security while the camp was relocated. In October 1966 A Company returned for operations. In January 1967, Operation DCC 11 took place involving camp CIDG and 120-man Mike Force company. In December 1967 Mike Force 12 Company consisting of 171 personnel conducted an operation in the AO, before going to SF Camp Lang Vei, where it was largely destroyed by the NVA assault on Lang Vei. On 22-29 August and 1-31 October 1968, Mike Force 16th Company deployed to the Thuong Duc AO, with almost constant contact. As might be expected the camp was the target for major enemy attacks, assaults and sieges in Aug-Oct 1968 and May-Oct 1970, among others. The camp’s AO was also the location for many Army and Marine operations to deny access to the enemy.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 18:18:01 +0000
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