Lai Khê

Lai Khê (Lai Khê hamlet, Lai Hưng commune, Bến Cát, Bình Dương Province) (also known as Lai Khê Base) was a former Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and U.S. Army base, located along Highway 13 to the northwest of Saigon and about 20 km north of Thủ Dầu Một in southern Vietnam.

Lai Khê Base Camp
Lai Khe from the air in 1965
Lai Khê Base Camp is located in Vietnam
Lai Khê Base Camp
Lai Khê Base Camp
Coordinates11.195°N 106.617°E / 11.195; 106.617 (Lai Khê Base Camp)
TypeArmy Base
Site history
In use1960-1975
Battles/wars
Vietnam War
Garrison information
OccupantsARVN 5th Division
US 1st Infantry Division
Lai Khê Airfield
Summary

History

During the Vietnam War Lai Khê was a garrison town as the ARVN 5th Division was based there for most of the 1960s/70s.[1]

Lai Khe barracks, 24 April 1967
Lai Khe helicopter revetments, 24 April 1967

Lai Khê was also the Headquarters for the U.S. Army's 1st Infantry Division from October 1967 until January 1970.

Other U.S. Army units based at Lai Khê included:

On 28 July 1971 a PAVN/VC sapper attack on the base destroyed four U.S. helicopters and damaged a fifth.[4]

Current use

Most of the base has been turned over to housing and farmland while part of the base remains in use by the People's Army of Vietnam.

References
  1. Tucker, Spencer (2000). Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War. ABC-CLIO. pp. 526–33. ISBN 9781851099610.
  2. Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. p. 74. ISBN 9780811700719.
  3. Zahn, R (2003). Snake Pilot. Brassey's Inc. ISBN 1-57488-565-0.
  4. "Enemy blows up 4 U.S. helicopters". The New York Times. 28 July 1971. p. 4.


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