page_title: Tan Son Nhut Air Base
section_title: Mule Train
hierarchical_section_title: Tan Son Nhut Air Base / Use by the United States / Military Assistance Advisory Group / Mule Train
caption_attribution_description: English: Mule Train Fairchild C-123B-19-FA Provider 56-4382 Aircraft was destroyed on ground by VC mortar attack on Tan Son Nhut, SVN Apr 13, 1966. Was with 315ACW
context_page_description: Tan Son Nhut Air Base was a Republic of Vietnam Air Force facility. It was located near the city of Saigon in southern Vietnam. The United States used it as a major base during the Vietnam War, stationing Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine units there. Following the Fall of Saigon, it was taken over as a Vietnam People's Air Force facility and remains in use today.
  Tan Son Nhat International Airport, has been a major Vietnamese civil airport since the 1920s.
context_section_description: On 6 December 1961, the Defense Department ordered the C-123 equipped 346th Troop Carrier Squadron (Assault) to the Far East for 120 days temporary duty. On 2 January 1962 the first of 16 C-123s landed at the base commencing Operation Mule Train to provide logistical support to US and South Vietnamese forces.
  In March 1962 personnel from the 776th Troop Carrier Squadron, began replacing the temporary duty personnel. 10 of the C-123s were based at Tan Son Nhut, 2 at Da Nang Air Base and 4 at Clark Air Base.
  In April 1963 the 777th Troop Carrier Squadron equipped with 16 C-123s deployed to the base.
  In July 1963 the Mule Train squadrons at the base became the 309th and 310th Troop Carrier Squadrons assigned to the 315th Air Division.
caption: Mule Train C-123 Provider #56-4382 was destroyed on ground by VC mortar attack on Tan Son Nhut, 13 April 1966
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