Đức Phổ Base Camp
# Đức Phổ Base Camp

Đức Phổ Base Camp (also known as Đức Phổ Airfield, LZ Bronco, LZ Montezuma and Núi Đàng) is a former U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army base in the Đức Phổ District, Quảng Ngãi Province Vietnam.

## History

### 1966-71

The base was located along Highway 1 approximately midway between Da Nang and Qui Nhơn.

LZ Montezuma was originally established by the U.S Marine Corps' Task Force X-Ray and the 2nd Battalion 5th Marines and 3rd Battalion 7th Marines were based here until 1 April 1967 when they were replaced by the 1st Cavalry Division in Operation $Lejeune.^{:5–341}$

The 1st Cavalry Division built a runway capable of landing de Havilland Canada C-7 Caribou aircraft at the base in early $April.^{:5–341}$ At the end of April the 1st Cavalry Division handed over the base to 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division comprising:

* 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry
* 1st Battalion, 35th $Infantry^{:148}$
* 2nd Battalion, 35th $Infantry^{:148}$

On 1 August 1967 the 3rd Brigade became part of the 4th Infantry Division, while the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade at Dầu Tiếng Base Camp became part of the 25th Infantry Division.

Đức Phổ served as the base for the 101st Airborne Division from June–November $1967.^{:156}$

Other units stationed at Đức Phổ included:

* 2nd Battalion, 11th Artillery (April 1967-January $1968)^{:98}$
* 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery (December 1967-September $1971)^{:98}$
* 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry (December 1967-June $1971)^{:136}$
* 198th Light Infantry Brigade (October–November $1967)^{:138}$

On 3 August 1967 a C-7 Caribou (#62-4161) on approach to Đức Phổ was hit by an outgoing 155mm shell which severed its tail section causing the aircraft to crash killing all 3 crewmen. The falling C-7 was photographed by Hiromichi Mine just before impact.

## Current use

The base is abandoned and turned over to farmland, light industry and housing.

