Chiang Kham Airport
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Chiang Kham Airport สนามบินเชียงคำ | |||||||||||
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 Former Chiang Kham Airport in 2013. | |||||||||||
| Summary | |||||||||||
| Airport type | Defunct | ||||||||||
| Owner | Royal Thai Air Force | ||||||||||
| Operator | Royal Thai Army | ||||||||||
| Location | Phayao, Thailand (56110) | ||||||||||
| Opened | 1967 | ||||||||||
| Closed | 1990s | ||||||||||
| Built | 1966 | ||||||||||
| Time zone | UTC+7 (+7) | ||||||||||
| Elevation AMSL | 389 m / 1,275 ft | ||||||||||
| Coordinates | 19°29′50″N 100°17′7.99″E / 19.49722°N 100.2855528°E | ||||||||||
| Website | Chiang Kham Airport Info | ||||||||||
| Map | |||||||||||
  VTCB Location in Thailand | |||||||||||
| Runways | |||||||||||
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Chiang Kham Airport (ICAO: VTCB) is a disused airport located in Chiang Kham district, Phayao province, Thailand. It was built in 1966 by the United States Naval Seabees and closed in the 1990s.
Communist conflicts
Chiang Kham Airport was built in 1966 by the United States Naval Seabees. Following Seabee Team 0909’s training at the 31s Naval Construction Regiment, they deployed to Thailand via C-130 aircraft and arrived on November 1st, 1966. Seabee Team 0909 collaborated with the Thai Border Patrol Police, utilizing heavy equipment such as bulldozers and loaders to improve road infrastructure to Chiang Kham Airport.[1] Seabee Team 1109 arrived to Chiang Kham on April 25, 1967 to relieve construction operations for team 0909.[2] In 1969, it was listed as a destination on the Air America Site book.[3]
From 1967 to 1982, the airfield participated in conflicts against communist insurgents in Thailand.[4] In the 1970s, the RTAF conducted counter-insurgency missions using aircraft such as the Peacemaker (AU-23A). During Operation Thong Pha Phum in 1974, Flying Unit 2232, Task Force 170, and Task Force 172 were based at Chiang Kham Airport.[5]
Post use
In the 1990s, the airfield was abandoned and its ownership was transferred to the Royal Thai Army. [3] The site is currently operated by the Khun Chom Tham Camp occupied by the 31st Ranger Regiment, Phayao.[6][7]