Quang Lang Air Base | |
Ensign Size: | 50px |
Partof: | Vietnam People's Air Force |
Coordinates: | 18.9742°N 105.0475°W |
Type: | Air Force Base |
Built: | 1966 |
Used: | 1966-1972 |
Condition: | abandoned |
Controlledby: | Vietnam People's Air Force |
Battles: | Vietnam War |
Airfield information | |
Elevation-F: | 60 |
Quang Lang Air Base is a former Vietnam People's Air Force (VPAF) (Không quân Nhân dân Việt Nam) military airfield located near the town of Duc Son, Nghệ An Province approximately 75km (47miles) northwest of Vinh.[1]
On 19 January 1972, while escorting an RA-5C on a photo-reconnaissance mission over the base, Lieutenant Duke Cunningham and Lieutenant j.g. William P. Driscoll of VF-96 flying an F-4B engaged and shot down a VPAF Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21.[2]
The base was attacked during Operation Proud Deep Alpha in late December 1971. More than 160 craters appeared in photographs after about two hundred bombs had been dropped, however the Pierced steel planking runway was broken in only fourteen places and was quickly repaired. East German television indicated that two MiG–21s were blown on their backs at the base.[3]
On 6 March 1972, LT Garry Weigand and LTJG Bill Freckleton of VF-111 flying an F-4B engaged and shot down a VPAF MiG-17 near the base. Also on 6 March, while escorting an RA-5C near the base, an F-4J of VF-51 engaged a MiG near the base but the kill was unconfirmed.[2]
On 15 June 1972, during Operation Linebacker U.S. fighter-bombers again attacked the base cratering the runway.[4] The base was attacked again on 18 June with further damage to the runway.[5]
The base has been abandoned and turned over to farmland.