The base was established 13 km north of Đông Hà on Highway 1 immediately south of the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

[2]: 145 From 15 to 18 September 1966, the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines launched Operation Deckhouse IV and discovered that the PAVN had built a network of tunnels and bunkers in the Con Thien-Gio Linh area.

[5] From 20 March to 1 April, Operation Beacon Hill saw BLT 1st Battalion, 4th Marines patrolling around the base to try to prevent further PAVN attacks.

[3]: 91  On 2 July, the first day of Operation Buffalo the base was again heavily shelled in an attempt to reduce fire support for the encircled 1st Battalion, 9th Marines.

[3]: 99 From late 1967 the ARVN 2nd Regiment of the 1st Division was based at Gio Linh together with Company M 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines to provide security for the artillery.