The base was originally established to support Operation Junction City in February 1967 and the first US combat parachute jump of the war took place west of the camp.

In November 1967 the 5th Special Forces Group Detachment A-322 moved to Kà Tum from Camp Suối Đá to monitor infiltration activity from Cambodia.

[4] The base received frequent artillery and mortar fire from the Vietcong and People's Army of Vietnam leading to it being nicknamed Kaboom.

[9] On 23 June 1969 C-130B #61-0965 of the 772d Tactical Airlift Squadron, carrying artillery ammunition, was hit by ground fire on approach to Kà Tum and crashed killing all six crewmembers.

[1]: 127  On 24 May 1970 a US medevac helicopter was shot down on approach to Kà Tum, passenger Sergeant first class Louis R. Rocco evacuated the wounded crew, actions for which he was later awarded the Medal of Honor.