Doug Kibbey's trip back to Vietnam 2005

All photos and commentary provided by Doug Kibbey

"FSB Birmingham North helipad view to the west (the hill was the firebase). Running straight across the picture at the edge of the bare area is the road that runs from Hiway 547 to the north and then around/to the firebase east road. Original image Steve Rauch, 1970; and Doug Kibbey, March 2005."

Photo owned by Doug Kibby. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

(same view and caption as above, but with legend drawn in the pic to identify the features)

"Composite view from FSB Birmingham North helipad looking east toward Camp Eagle/Phu Bai. The low "curb" on the left is the same as seen in the previous pic on the right while looking west. Above that "curb" where the trees are is now a monument/cemetary where some 600 NVA (PAVN) troops are buried following fierce fighting largely during the Spring Offensive in 1972. Perforated Steel Platform impressions can still be found in the asphalt at some places. Orginal pic with Cobra is by Steve Nirk-1970, and March 2005 by Doug Kibbey.

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"Composite view from FSB Birmingham 3,000' airstrip looking east during assembly for combat assault (original by Smokey Stover) and March 2005 (Doug Kibbey). The airstrip is roughly divided now in half between a "developed" western section with homes as seen in various views in this section, and the part beyond a ditch that cuts across it, beyond which it is more-or-less in original condition, just visible beyond the low bush in distance.

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"The "pristine" eastern section of the FSB B'Ham airstrip beyond the bush in the previous pic. Compare to the composite view of the combat assault shot taken by Smokey Stover previously. Doug Kibbey, 2005.

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"View from what is now the cemetary for ~600 NVA (PAVN) troops killed in the area in 1972 just above the FSB Birminham North helipad and views from a point just west of that in the same direction in 1971. Damage to the railings around the monument viewpoint is largely by local children who don't recognize the significance of the site who find the fragile structure an easy mark for well-placed kicks while playing. Doug Kibbey, 1971 & 2005.

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"FSB Birmingham from south low pad area looking north. Top view courtesy Steven Rauch-'70; 2nd view(s), Doug Kibbey-'71; two current views (bottom) Doug Kibbey- '05."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"View north from FSB Birmingham overlooking photopoint of the 'southview'. Top view credit: Steve Nirk, 181 Maint. Bn. (contact sought); lower view, Doug Kibbey- '05."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"View east from FSB B'ham peak, Song Huu river, Highway 547, 3,000' airstrip and two main helipads. Hill 180 (between Phu Bai and Camp Eagle) in far center distance. Site of a "new" village built on pad and airstrip, which is also useful for drying tapioca. Out of view to left of north pad is now a monument/cemetary to ~600 NVA KIA during '72 campaign. Top view credit: Steve Nirk (contact sought); lower views, Doug Kibbey- '05."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"FSB B'ham airstrip, views east & west respectively. Lower view of homes on airstrip, B'ham hill in distance. Top right photo is owned by Patrick Derry, lower views, Doug Kibbey- '05."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"Phu Bai (Hue) airport looking north from control tower walkaround, identical views. Top view credit, Tom Payne ~'70; Bottom views, Doug Kibbey- '05."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"Phu Hai airport from control tower looking across runway to ENE and NW. Doug Kibbey- '05."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"CCN FOB area Phu Bai, 2005. Now the site of a secondary school. Doug Kibbey- '05.".

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"Phu Bai airport then and now. New terminal is built around original '66 control tower. A new tower is under construction 300' south of this one. Top photo credit unknown (contact sought), lower view Doug Kibbey- '05."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"Phu Bai airport, March 2005. Front looking north, main road out to QL-1 to SW toward former 8th RRU, interior view...control tower access to left of photo. Doug Kibbey.

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"Ton Son Nhut airport, March 2005. Hardened shelters date to the war, today house a few helicopters (Russian, seen in first frame) and emergency equipment. Doug Kibbey."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"Ba-ba-ba?" Bier 33 Export I'm told Heineken has the rights to, so this has morphed into Bier 333. Tiger and Huda beer are also readily available. Doug Kibbey."

Doug Kibbey, 2005

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"The citadel under new management, 2005. Hue is still much more traditional than Saigon, err..."HCMC". School girls seen on tour in colorful 'ao dai's'. Doug Kibbey."

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

"Ex-Air Cav trooper and M113 ACAV cmdr. on "Medicine Man's Head Shoppe" in '72 and on display at Hue Citadel museum '05. Doug Kibbey"

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

Some current script from the SRVN....don't know who this guy is, but damned if his picture ain't EVERYWHERE!

Photo owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.

Photos owned by Doug Kibbey. NO Permission is given or implied for any use, other than viewing on this web site, of this photo.