Batcat
The United States Air Force
553rd Reconnaissance Wing
Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base

Korat RTAFB - The War Years
1967 - 1971
Korat RTAFB - The War Years page, was originally part of the opening Batcat page first created on 6/8/99, moved to its own page 04/21/02, Last updated 06/07/09.

Photographs without another credit taken by Larry Westin.

This image shows an aerial view of Korat before USAF expansion, showing Camp Friendship Army Base, view is looking north. Photo shows runway in place, but vacant land where the USAF base would be developed.  Photo taken in 1964.  Photo courtesy of MacAlan Thompson. Added 11/03/02.
Get an idea of Korat's base layout by viewing this Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base Map.  Map courtesy of Jim Bartholomew.  B&W, about 183K, Added 09/28/02.  Although the image is larger in bytes than I normally include, I had to keep it fairly large to read the information.

Korat - the first Connies to Arrive
were College Eye EC-121D's

A veiw of the Connie Ramp as it neared completion. Concrete is still being poured. At this time the College Eye EC-121D's have just landed, but as yet no EC-121R's are at Korat. In fact the arrival of the EC-121R's was delayed to allow concrete to dry more thoroughly. My thanks to Ed Thurston who provided this image. B&W, about 264K, added 03/16/08.
Here is a series of 5 views of the first EC-121 to land at Korat, which was EC-121D 53-0555. Check all these images, it was quite a welcome event. First Connie at Korat on the Ramp - view 1, here is another view of the First Connie at Korat on the Ramp - view 2, and one last view of the First Connie at Korat on the Ramp - view 3. Somebody was very quick with a camera - Note the ramp - NO oil stains! Crew deplanes from EC-121D 53-0555, shown deplanning left to right are Terry Kjenstad, Greg Moore, Les Robbins and seated on stairway is David Biggs. All members of Crew #16. A Welcome Committe met the airplane. In the middle is Major Ted Lang, aircraft Commander of Crew #16, which was the first College Eye crew to arrive at Korat (on Triple Nickel). My thanks to Greg Moore who provided these images. All 5 images are color, 93K, 95K, 91K, 159K and 154K respectively. added 03/19/08.

Korat from the Air - EC-121R Outside
Cockpit views while landing

View of Korat RTAFB Runway 24 from about 3/4 mile out. Royal Thai Air Force occupied the buildings on the right. At the time of my arrival the Thai's flew T-6 aircraft, by the time this photo was taken most of the T-6's had moved to other bases. B&W, about 51K.
About 1/2 mile out shows the 553rd and 388th Ramps on the left.  B&W, about 36K.
Another view of the Connie Ramp taken from an EC-121R landing. Korat RTAFB is visible in the background,with a 388th TFW F-105 taxiing for takeoff. Notice that only some revetments are in place. My thanks to Bill Holbrook who provided the photo. B&W, about 44K, added 1/30/00.
November 1967 aerial view of Korat RTAFB. Note the Swadee Enlisted Club is at the lower left of the image. FMS/EMS barracks not yet complete in the foreground, Aircrew barracks have the concrete foundation poured, but none of the walls are yet in place. My thanks to Ed Thurston who provided this image. B&W, about 304K, added 03/09/08.

Inside the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing Command Post
During my tour at Korat I never saw the inside of the command post. My thanks to Bob Look who worked the command post 1967-1968 and provided these images. This view is of  Lt. Col. John Crocker with two of the three status boards behind him looking toward the upper desks which were for the NCOIC and duty officer. The board on the right of this view had a diagram of Korat RTAFB, and under it weather reports for all Thai bases. Color, about 140K, added 07/07/05.
Shown here is Bob Look on the right, and unidentified on the left working the command post communications console at Korat RTAFB. Behind are the slightly raised NCOIC and duty officer desks, and further behind that is the higher raised glassed in area which was the battle staff room.  Red drapes cover the classified maps so this photo could be taken.  Cabinet under the clocks was where the HF (High Frequency shortwave) radio was mounted.  Also located behind the doors was a large tape recorder, all communications between the command post and aircraft was recorded. Added 07/07/05, color, about 135K. This is an image of the Command Post Communications Console. The command post had HF, VHF (Very High Frequency) and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) communications capability.  High Frequency single side band shortwave was used by the aircraft on orbit to provide hourly status reports to the command post.  Closer in to Korat RTAFB the aircraft would call the command post on UHF.  VHF is more of a civilian frequency, but was used at Korat.  At times Korat tower monitored VHF closer than UHF. Added 07/05/05, color, about 170K.

The 553rd Intelligence shop
This is an image of the Inside of the Intelligence shop at Christmas 1968. Color, about 128. My thanks to Charlotte Clinger who is shown in the photo when she was 2nd Lieutenant Charlotte Holder. Added 02/14/09.

Ground Views around Korat RTAFB
A view of a Connie Taxiing. Look closely to the right side of the photo and you can see the Thai side of Korat RTAFB, and their North American T-6 Texan trainers, still used by the RTAF in the late 1960's. My thanks to Peter Eastman who provided the photo. Color, about 52K, added 03/03/02.
Here is a view of the Connie Ramp.  Color image provided by David Pipher. Color about 57K.  David Pipher also sent this image Aircrew on Alert.  Aircrews would assemble survival equipment, have a weather and mission briefing, and be at the aircraft 4 hours (later reduced to 3 hours) before scheduled take off time.  The aircrew arrived early in case another airplane aborted, that orbit would still be covered because the aircrew waiting would depart early.  A lot of the time for aircrews at Korat RTAFB was waiting, and waiting.  Color about 61K.  My thanks to David Pipher for both images, Added 02/18/06.
Shown here is the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing Headquarters at Korat RTAFB. This headquarters was considered ultra modern in late 1967 when it was built. My thanks to Bill Holbrook for providing the photograph to scan. Added 01/30/00, color, about 208K.
Shown here is the 554th Squadron building with Crew Bus in front. To the right of the crew bus is the 553rd Recon Wing Life Support building. This is where parachutes, survival vests, etc., were picked up before each mission. On the far right, the back end of the partially shown crew bus is next to the 553rd Recon Squadron building.  In Thailand they drive on the left side of the road, so the steering wheel is on the right. My thanks to Ron Bogota for providing this photograph. Added 05/26/00, B&W, about 33K.
This is a photograph taken inside the Korat Kaboom Officers Club of a painting hung behind the bar. This image provided by J. J. Smith. Jerry was part of the first deployment from Otis to Korat. Color, about32K, added 12/7/99.
Here is a view of the Outside of the Kaboom Officers Club. My thanks to Charlotte Clinger (then 2nd Lt. Charlotte Holder shown in this image in front of the club) for this image. Color, about 139K. Added 02/14/09.
A view of the "Tent City" the first arrivals had for accomodations, and here is a second view of "Tent City" showing  Robin Collord and Larry Lees. Images provided by Robin Collord, B&W, about 88K and 75K respectively.  Added 02/18/06.
One end of the enlisted Barracks, 554th on the left, 553rd on the right. B&W, about 51K.
A veiw inside the enlisted barracks.  Although each floor was totally open, the lockers were arranged so 4 airmen (two bunk beds) had a resemblence of a room.  My thanks to David Pipher for this image.  Color, about 22K. Added 03/18/06.
Other end of the enlisted Barracks. 553rd barracks on the left, 554th barracks on the right. B&W, about 51K.
View from the second floor of the enlisted Barracks. Image provided by David Pipher, color about 55K, Added 02/20/06.
"Hootch" girls wash our cloths. USAF agreement with Thailand required local Thai's be employeed. Girls made your bed, washed your cloths, and shined your shoes for a reasonable cost. B&W, about 69K.
Vernie Andricks provided this image of Drying cloths on a line. No dryers at Korat for the Hootch girls. B&W, about 134K, Added 09/29/08.
554th Recon Squadron Sign at the end of the 554th barracks. B&W, about 64K.
NCO (E-5 and above) Quarters were not as modern as enlisted. B&W, about48K.
NCO Club at Korat.  My thanks to Mike Yates for providing this image. Added 12/15/99, B&W, about 45K.
NCO Open Mess Menu. My thanks to Roy Fretschl for providing the menu so I could photograph it. Be the way the prices are considerably lower than today! Added 06/07/09, color, about 102K.
Korat BaseMovie Theater. Note the tin roof. I remember well that anytime it rained, almost every day about 15:00, the noise of the rain hitting the roof would drown out the movie. B&W, about 48K.
Vernie Andricks provided this image of the Nitnoi Theater. Nitnoi in Thai is small in Engllish. B&W, about 153K, Added 09/29/08.
Enlisted Chow Hall at Korat. B&W, about 60K.
Mel Sholl inside the Enlisted Chow Hall at Korat. My thanks to David Smith for providing this image. B&W, about 70K, added 08/19/07.
George Thompson inside the Flight Kitchen at Korat. The flight kitchen and chow hall were two separate facilities. On base personnel ate at the chow hall. On missions an aircrewmember went to the flight kitchen to pick up in flight meals. My thanks to David Smith for providing this image. B&W, about 70K, added 08/19/07.
Base Hospital at Korat. B&W, about 50K.
Inside view of the Base Hospital number 1, and Inside view of the Base Hospital number 2. My thanks to Daid Smith who sent me both interior hospital views. Both B&W, about 151K and 161K respectively. Added 03/09/08.
Base Post Office at Korat. B&W, about 59K.
Base eXchange at Korat. Many items, such as cameras, required a ration card to purchase. B&W, about 43K.
Enlisted men's club named was originally named the "Sawa Dee Club". The word Sawadee is equivilant to the Hawaiian word Aloha. The equivilant is more accurately a transliteration, rather than a direct translation. Later the Enlisted Club name changed to Swadee. My thanks to Ed Thurston who sent this image. B&W, about 76K. Added 03/09/08.
"Swadee Club".  Note the revised spelling.  B&W, about 71K. Paul Desrosiers sent me this image of the interior of the Swadee Club. About 19K, color.
Transportation to the city of Korat was via Two Baht Bus. B&W, about51K. David Pipher sent me this color image of a two Baht Bus. It appears this view was taken from the top (second) floor of the barracks. Color about 66K.  Added 02/18/06.
Brent Morris sent me these views of the hobby shop recording studio.  Inside of the recording studio view 1,  Inside of the recording studio view 2, Airman Pertignani, and  Inside of the recording studio view 3. I spent a lot of time in the recording studio myself. Notice these are reel to reel tape recorders, the standard in the 1960's before the days of 8 track or cassette tapes.  Each image between 34K and 39K.  Added 06/06/06.

Damage from the Tornado which
hit Korat RTAFB in the Spring of 1968
During the spring of 1968, during a severe storm, a tornado hit Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base. This first view shows Damage around the Base Swimming Pool. Second view shows Damage to the Hangar Door. Third view shows what remains of a flight line Hot Dog Stand. There was a young Thai woman inside the Hot Dog Stand when the tornado flipped it over. Luckily she wasn't badly hurt, only cuts and bruises! My thanks to Peter Eastman who provided the photos for me to scan. Pool image is Color, about 66K, Hangar Door is Color, about 29K, and the Hot Dog Stand is Color, about 65K. Added 03/25/02.

The Bob Hope USO Show
at Korat, Thailand
December 1967 Show
Chuck Silverstein provided these photo's of the 1967 Bob Hope show. First view of the 1967 Bob Hope Show view shows from right to left Col. Gus Weiser (first 553rd Wing Commander) and Air Vice Marshall Kamron Leelasiri, commander of the RTAF Flying Training School.
Second wiew of the 1967 Bob Hope Show View shows right to left Col. Hoerler, unknown, Col. Gus Weiser, AVM Kamrom Leelasiri, commander of the RTAF Flying Training School. (back to us).
Vernie Andricks provided this image of the Bob Hope leaving the chow hall. Color, about 68K, Added 09/29/08.

The Bob Hope USO Show
at Korat, Thailand
December 28, 1968 Show
553rd Reconaissance Wing Commander Col. Timmerman presents Bob Hope with a Batcat Plaque at the 1968 Bob Hope Show. Show took place at the Yim Yam Theater on Friendship next to Korat RTAFB. Color, about 57K.
Ann Margaret and Bob Hope dance at the 1968 Show together. Behind them is the orchestra by Les Brown and his Band of Renown. Color, about 69K.
Another view of the show showing Bob Hope and other performers.  My thanks to David Pipher this image.  I attended this show, and my recollection is the lady on the left with the black and white dress is Penelope Plummer, but I could be very wrong.  Color image, about 45K, Added 02/18/06.

  Views of the City of Korat and
the Surrounding Thai Country Side
Thai's use a bicycle with a rearseat added for two. They are called Samlar's in Thailand.  Photo provided by Ron Grayson. Added 11/22/99.
Three views of Korat city.  First is typical market view.  Another street market vendor view.  Here is a view of a small girl playing in the city.  My thanks to David Pipher for these images.  All are color, about 85K, 88K and 141K respectively.  Added 03/18/06.
Power for agriculture was provided by Water Buffalo. Photo provided by Ron Grayson. Added 11/22/99.

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