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From: Tom Glickman, RIVPATFOR '67 - '68
Date: 6/6/2002
Time: 8:38:28 PM
Remote Name: 165.247.120.4
The name of the facility displaying the 1968 "Happy New Year" sign was, Naval Support Activity Saigon, Binh Thuy, Detachment. It was the headquarters for the Navy's River Patrol Force, also known as TF-116. It also served as the home base for River Patrol Division Fifty-one and HA(L)-3,(the Seawolves) Detachment 7 was also at Bihn Thuy. Platoons from SEAL Teams ONE and TWO deployed to Bihn Thuy as well. After TET '68, Commander River Patrol Squadron Five, relocated from Saigon to Binh Thuy. About September 1968, a reorginization changed RIVRON Five to River Patrol Flotilla FIVE and the former River Patrol Divisions were redesginated as River Patrol Squadrons.
NAVSUPPACTDET was located on the river side of Route 27 between the IV Corps ammunition depot and Bihn Thuy Air Base. During the period immediately following TET '68, Bihn Thuy Air Base came under mortar attack about 41 nights in a row as I recall. No attacks were directed against the Navy during that time.
In the late summer of 1968, the 29th Evacuation Hospital was established across the road from Navy Bihn Thuy. At the same time, construction started on an air strip that was to handle the OV-10A Broncos of VA(L)-4, the Black Ponies, which was then forming in San Diego.