It was built within seven months in 1969 and played a major role for the Vietnam People's Air Force during the Battle of Dong Hoi in April 1972.

On 19 April 1972, two MiG-17s piloted by Lê Xuân Dị and Nguyễn Văn Bảy "B" took off from the airfield.

The attack crippled Higbee's 5-inch gun turret, impaired its steering and propulsion, and wounded 4 sailors on deck.

[6] Another MiG-17 simultaneously aimed its bombs at USS Oklahoma City but missed the target.

[6] The U.S. later responded by bombardment against Vinh and Dong Hoi on the same day and the following, and an air strike by 33 aircraft on April 22 at the airfield.