3 killed 3 killed[1]20 aircraft damaged and 3 vehicles destroyed American intervention 1965 1966 1967 Tet Offensive and aftermath Vietnamization 1969–1971 1972 Post-Paris Peace Accords (1973–1974) Spring 1975 Air operations Naval operations Lists of allied operations A Viet Cong (VC) attack on Tan Son Nhut Air Base occurred during the early hours of 4 December 1966, during the Vietnam War.

After receiving intelligence that over 5,000 American troops and tons of weapon would land at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in order to prepare for Operation Cedar Falls, elements of the Viet Cong Special Forces Unit F100 led by Lê Minh Xuân left its camp at Bình Chánh, suburb of Saigon.

[2] The VC force led by Nguyễn Văn Kịp (Đồng Đen) penetrated the base perimeter fence at approximately 01:00 on 4 December.

The penetration was detected by a USAF sentry dog team at guardpost Alpha K-19 (10°49′41″N 106°39′29″E / 10.828°N 106.658°E / 10.828; 106.658) north of the 07/25 runway and he raised the alarm.

A USAF security patrol was deployed to guardpost and the VC began their attack shortly after this.

At 08:10 US forces mounted a search and destroy operation on the west perimeter of the air base until 09:20.

[3]: 18 The Viet Cong claim that they withdrew having destroyed 260 airplanes, a depot of bombs and shells, 13 military vehicles and having killed or wounded over 600 US and ARVN soldiers.