HISTORICAL DATA - 555TH CIVIL ENGINEERING SQUADRON (HR) 1967
The replacement squadron for the initial deployment of the 555th CES was formed at Forbes AFB, Kansas,
with .cadre members reporting during the middle of October 1966. Each of the three increments were
formed as members reported from their various bases and training courses.
Instruction received at Forbes AFB was varied, but largely oriented toward classroom training with
little practical application of the classroom procedures learned and no training in the construction
procedures or types of equipment we would ultimately use upon arrival at Cam Ranh Bay, AB, R VN.
The three increments left Forbes AFB during the early part of December 1966 and January and February 1967.
The initial impression that we all felt as we landed at Cam Ranh Bay AB was that somehow we had managed
to time our arrival with that of the monsoon. For most it was the first time we had ever seen a mixture
of sand and water blowing in a horizontal direction and the immediate reaction was that someone had just
thrown a bucket of wet sand in . your face. With this kind of welcome we all knew that things had to get better.
The immediate problems confronting the squadron were those faced by any new squadron; learning to work together
as a team, learning to operate our equipment, adjusting to the environment and topography, and for some of us
just learning our basic trade. The teamwork came as we worked on the basics, and the ability to cope with the sand as
we learned more about the equipment. We made our share of mist~kes, or maybe more than our share, during the early
months - but with time came experience and with experience - confidence and a trust in each other. The members of
the squadron never doubted in themselves nor were they lacking in morale and "esprit de corps", but as the teamwork
formed and we saw what we could accomplish, the thought grew that we were better than the rest. This belief in
ourselves helped to carry us through some of the problems we were to face during our year here. .
One of the first problems was to readjust our Squadron organization to achieve better alignment with the construction
program scheduled. Pavements and grounds specialists were equipped with hardhats, scaffolding, and power tools and
were soon becoming experts in the erection of pre-fabricated steel buildings. General maintenance mechanics and heating
experts assisted with the disproportionate plumbing workload in building community latrines and hospital facilities.
Others were assigned to engineering and site development to get the designs and field layouts ready for the expanding crews.
Another immediate problem was the repair and maintenance of the AM-2 taxiway. Through long usage thistaxiway had deteriorated
to such a state that it was a maintenance liability and often a deterrent to operations. The taxiway had, through the turning
and twisting effect of countless aircraft movements, turned and shaped itself in the direction and flow of the traffic.
This effect had created numerous broken boards and provided an extremely difficult maintenance problem. Coupled with this was
the problem of subgrade failures and "washouts" under the AM-2. These problems instigated an immediate survey into possible
corrective actions. We determined that a sound base was ~n immediate answer to some of the problems, and that, coupled with
a positive method of locking the boards on cross taxiways to prevent cutting of tires would provide us with a suitable solution
to our problem. We therefore set upon a way to provide these answers. Soil cementing of the base seemed the easiest and cheapest
method of providing stability of the sub-surface.
After many tests we developed a way of accomplishing a soil cementing operation without the required equipment. This involved
the digging of sump pits to provide ground water to supplement our limited water hauling capability during the initial soaking
and mixing operations. This method has proved successful and allowed us to provide a suitable base for the AM 2.
We expanded our work force from 650 to 950 men by hiring an additional 300 Vietnamese. They were for the most part unskilled on
arrival but many have become excellent craftsmen. Their on-the-job training with our Squadron is a small but important contribution
to nation building in Vietnam and we are proud to have made this contribution.
Other changes have been in progress during our tour here. As we look around the base we can see the myriad of changes that have
transpired in our short stay. There are now paved roads where once there were narrow gravel roads.
The west side of the base is rapidly reaching a maturity - where it was a dream when we arrived. Air conditioned buildings and
semi-permanent structures are starting to appear - where once only unpainted wooden "hootches" stood. Even indoor plumbing,
of the flush variety, has started to replace the outdated type. We are far from perfect yet and much more is needed in the way
of better fadlities, but it is evident that we are in the second stage of our growth as evidenced by the fact that we are
modifying the existing facilities such as the Airmen Dining Halls and the Officer's Field Ration Mess.
Our year has been one of constant change and that is good. The base has gorwn in stature and we would like to think that
RED HORSE has grown in stature and shared in that growth. The people that comprise the Air Force Civil Engineering Squadrons
are proud of the small part that they have played in helping to create a better environment for the Americans and Vietnamese
that work here at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base. Our motto of "can do - will do" has pervaded our thinking and taken us to .where we are today.
Our problems have been small and surmountable - with the proper spirit: With the advent of "Pacer Oar", increased equipment support
from "Turn Key" surplus and from CECOG we look for our successors to do even more.
