PADDY Control and Reporting Post (CRP)
Detachment 3, 619th TCS
Bihn Thuy Air Base and Can Tho, RVN

An Overview

Paddy Control operated on Binh Thuy Air Base and was located in the Delta of South Vietnam approximately four (4) miles west of Can Tho City. Can Tho City is the largest city south of Saigon in the delta region of South Vietnam.

The following section was taken almost verbatim from the 619th TCS Training Manual found at the Air University Library, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. For more text click on Training Manual.

USAF/VNAF site located on Binh Thuy Air Base approximately seventy (70) miles southwest of Saigon. The radar site itself is located on the southwest corner, of the perimeter of the base approximately one and one-half (1 1/2) miles from the main base cantonment area. The largest Vietnamese city is the city of Can Tho (200,000 Population), which is approximately three (3) miles to the east of the base. The entire terrain is at sea level and is penetrated with many rivers, canals, streams, and marshes.

b. The radar site consists of an operations building, communications and Electronics Maintenance Building, orderly room, power production plant, and a search and height Tower. The VNAF and USAF personnel work in close coordination The operations staff consists of an Operations Officer, Operations NCOIC, Training/Standardization Evaluation Officer and NCO and an operations clerk. The operations staff sets the policy and coordinates with associated and adjacent units, monitors the Academic and :Proficiency Training and provides overall supervision to the three (3) operation crews. An element of the CRP is the Air Traffic Regulation Center. The chief controller is responsive to the Senior Director on duty.

c. Each crew is comprised of a Senior Director, three controllers and a Crew Chief and is organized with a Control and Surveillance Section. The Air Traffic Regulation Center crew is under the supervision of the watch supervisor. He is responsible to the ATRC Chief Controller. He is responsible to the Senior: Director on duty. The normal crew work schedule is two (2) day shifts (07001800 Hours) , two (2) night shifts (1800-0700) and two (2) days of break. Approximately twenty (20) men per crew is normal manning (excluding ATRC crew personnel).

d. Newly assigned personnel arrive at Binh Thuy Air Base by C-123 aircraft,, from Tan Son Nhut. Coordination for their travel is arranged by the Staff Operations NCOIC at the 619th Tactical Control Squadron who will coordinate to have your sponsor meet you at Binh Thuy. Upon arrival you will be provided quarters and your processing will be supervised. Billets are available on base for all USAF personnel. Officers are assigned to rooms with two (2) or three (3) men assigned to each room. Officers and NCO's share centralized latrine facilities. Field Grade Officers and Senior NCO’s may be fortunate enough to be assigned air conditioned trailers. Airmen E-1 thru E-5 live in single story tropical barracks, open bay. Areas are sectioned off with plywood partitions which provide for comfort and privacy.

e. On base facilities include a small base exchange, free movies, e. On base facilities include a small base exchange, free movies, NCO

f. Depending upon the threat, Americans may visit Can Tho during authors which are subject to change almost hourly.

g. There are many tailor shops in town as well as shops that sell the typical Vietnamese handicrafts and imports dolls, lacquer ware, and Vietnamese jewelry. Most are expensive and much better bargains can be made while on R&R ,t the many R&R centers throughout Asia.

h. There are several bars and restaurants in Can Tho which are frequented the Americans. It must be emphasized that there is no Vietnamese Bar or Restaurant that has the official seal of approval by base officials. There is a USO in Can Tho where short orders may be enjoyed.

i. A minor but bothersome problem is the hot humid climate. With the best personal cleanliness and a lot of personal care fungus will still crop up occasionally. Most likely it will be fairly simple type called athletes foot. It will probably disappear with a little extra care and a can of Talcum or powder. If not, the medics are standing by with more sophisticated remedies to you.

j. Drinking water in town is likely to prove a strong laxative at least, t could be a killer. Some of the most dangerous food and water carrying infections live in ice. Pouring a glass of potable water into a container and adding local ice may prove as dangerous as drinking from the Mekong.

Pictures

Click on the picture to go the Paddy Photo Album.

Stories

A story "Remembering" Paddy Control by Jerry Williamson

History

Clicking on USAF History will connect to excerpts from the official USAF history of the 505th TCG. Clicking on 619th will connect to information gleaned from the 619th TCS Training Manual.

Links to other sites

Robert Wilder "Paddy 35"