page_title: Kelly Field
section_title: Vietnam War
hierarchical_section_title: Kelly Field / History / Berlin airlift and Korean War / Vietnam War
caption_attribution_description: C-5 Galaxy of the 60th MAW, 1970s
context_page_description: Kelly Field is a Joint-Use facility located in San Antonio, Texas. In 2001, pursuant to BRAC action, the former Kelly AFB runway and land west of the runway became "Kelly Field" and control of this reduced size installation was transferred to the adjacent Lackland Air Force Base, part of Joint Base San Antonio. The base is under the jurisdiction of the 802d Mission Support Group, Air Education and Training Command.
  Kelly Field was one of thirty-two Air Service training camps established after the United States entry into World War I, being established on 27 March 1917. It was used as a flying field; primary flying school; school for adjutants, supply officers, engineers; mechanics school, and as an aviation general supply depot.
  Kelly Air Force Base and its associated San Antonio Air Logistics Center of the Air Force Materiel Command was closed as an independent installation and its assets realigned by the 1995 Base Realignment and Closure Commission.
context_section_description: Kelly's workload remained relatively stable until the mid-1960s, when American efforts to prevent the fall of the South Vietnamese government led to direct American involvement. Following the Gulf of Tonkin incident in August 1964, all air materiel areas began supporting Southeast Asia on a 24-hour basis.  For the next 11 years, Kelly employees were deeply involved in supplying parts and expertise for the conflict in Southeast Asia, working both within the United States and overseas.
  In May 1965, during the build-up of American forces in Vietnam, the Logistics Command started sending teams of supply personnel to the Pacific Air Forces.  Kelly had a lot of volunteers.  By 31 December 1965, SAAMA had sent 11 supply teams, totaling 89 personnel, on temporary duty to Southeast Asia to establish supply centers throughout the western Pacific, including South Vietnam.
  Kelly also sent maintenance teams to Southeast Asia.  The first team consisted of six jet engine mechanics that worked at Clark Air Base, Philippines on J57 engines for North American F-100 Super Sabres.  Other Kelly workers served in South Vietnam on special Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter modification teams, helped reassemble newly shipped F-5A/C aircraft at Bien Hoa Air Base, and assisted in the creation of an engine repair facility at Bien Hoa.  Some workers served on rapid area maintenance supply support or area transportation teams while others served as weapon system logistic officers.  Those who remained in San Antonio also strove to meet the demands for materiel and aircraft maintenance.
  On 1 July 1965, Kelly opened as an aerial port of embarkation to provide though-plane cargo service to Southeast Asia.  Kelly Air Force Base personnel processed and routed vital war material earmarked for South Vietnam to the Southeast Asian Theater.  By 1967, the pace of the United States build-up intensified. The Lockheed C-141A Starlifter cargo aircraft began to enter the Air Force inventory in sufficient numbers to replace the aging Douglas C-124 Globemaster II.  With air terminal modernization and the increased use of C-141 aircraft, Military Airlift Command (MAC) aircrews seldom experienced any delays at Kelly's aerial port.
  On 1 November 1965, SAAMA assumed responsibility for the Air Force's entire watercraft program.  This included all landing-type vessels, spares, engines, and combat ships.  Other items included cargo tanks, special service vessels, barges, small craft, dredges, rigging, and marine hardware.  Earlier that year, on 3 August, Kelly became responsible for assembly and shipment of the necessary airfield lighting equipment to establish four semi-fixed installations in Southeast Asia.
  The early 1970s witnessed the establishment of the Vietnamization Program, also known as the Nixon Doctrine.  This new policy was the key to planned reductions in the United States military forces in South Vietnam.  As part of this effort, SAAMA personnel were deeply involved in the planning and construction of an engine facility at Bien Hoa Air Base.  This assignment began in February 1971 when the Air Force Logistics Command gave the SAAMA the responsibility for developing complete plans and specifications for converting an existing building at Bien Hoa Air Base into an engine overhaul facility.
  One month later, the San Antonio Air Materiel Area\ became involved with yet another project to provide logistics support.  On 20 October 1972, SAAMA initiated PROJECT ENHANCE PLUS, to transfer A-37, Northrop F-5E Tiger II, and Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft, engines, and support spares to the Republic of Vietnam to carry on the war after American withdrawal.  Nearly every directorate at Kelly contributed to this effort.
  The C-5A Galaxy, the Air Force's largest aircraft, entered the inventory in June 1970.  San Antonio Air Materiel Area had both management and repair responsibility for the giant transport and its TF39 engine.  Weighing about 350 tons, the aircraft can transport 98 percent of equipment issued to an Army division, including the 100,000 pound M-1 tank, self-propelled ar
caption: C-5A Galaxy in the 1970s
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