13 Jan 1970 Ubon RTAFB Sapper Attack After Action
Report
Memo is retyped after originals
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FROM: COMUSMACTHAI
TO: FOLDERSPLIT
FROM: MACTJ32
SUBJECT: Sapper Attach at Ubon RTAFB (U)
1. (C) On 13 Jan 70, the 8th USAF Security Police
Squadron Detec-
ted and engaged a sapper team that had penetrated Ubon RTAFB,
killing five CT before the sappers caused any material damage.
Responding to a call for assistance from a USAF dog handler, who
was fired upon by the intruders, Quick Reaction and Special Action
Team blocked the sappers' advance and, utilizing fire and maneuver,
closed on and killed the intruders. In addition to accounting
for
five Czech 7.65 mm machine pistols, the security forces also re-
covered 35 one-half pound plastic explosive charges, 9 fragmentation
and concussion hand grenades, about 30 magazines of 7.75 MM ammuni-
tion, and four bayonet type knives.
2. (C) Coordination with and response from Provincial
police in
securing area outside the perimeter was outstanding. Thai
Security
Guard members of QRT and SAT engaged the enemy in a commendable
manner.
3. (C) Friendly casualties included one wounded USAF
Security
Policeman (not seriously) and one K-9 killed and one K-9 wounded.
4. (C) The overwhelming success in repulsing this
determined
sapper effort is attributed to a number of factors which are included
here as excellent examples of sound base defense procedures/opera-
tions;
a. Responding to intelligence reports received before midnight
on 12 Jan, the base increased its security condition to YELLOW while
members of the 8th Security Police Squadron assumed a modified
RED OPTION 1.
b. Notification of personnel and agencies concerned both
internal and external, was complete and rapid. cooperation exhibi-
ted reflected effective prior planning and coordination with RTG
agencies/officials.
c. Response to report of intruders on base was immediate and
professional. QRT and SAT cut off intruders and, exhibiting remark-
able fire discipline during an extended fire fight, closed with and
killed the sappers. During the battle, action was closely monitored
and controlled in Central Security Control and supported by illumi-
nation fired from 81mm mortars. The self-evident results achieved
can be directly attributed to the high state of training and
frequent rehearsals of reaction plans.
d. Reporting of incidents as they occurred to higher head-
quarters was timely, unemotional, and extremely factual. Updates
were made as additional information became available.
5. (U) The actions of the 8th USAF Security Police
Squadron at
Ubon prior to and throughout the encounter indicated a professional-
ism worthy of emulation at all US tenanted installations, large or small.
Signed by; LTC Dennis S. Greene