635th
Security Police Squadron,
U Tapao RTNAF 1971
The 635th Security Police Squadron was
stationed at U Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield from 1966 to 1976, under the
control of the 635th Combat Support Group. It was in charge of the
protection of the base (which hosted B52 bombers) against North Vietnamese
commandos. The squadron shoulder patch featured the letters RTG/SPS, which
stood for Royal Thai Guard / Security Police Squadron. This was an illustration
of their close cooperation with the Thai Army for security duties. The 635th
SPS was one of the last US units withdrawn from Southeast Asia, more than one
year after the end of the Vietnam War.
This photo series shows a patrol searching two airmen
working on the ramp, as shown by the reflective tape worn on the jungle jacket
of one of them. The camouflaged hat with Snoopy patch was a common sight in the
latter stages of the war. Also note the US/Thai bilingual name strip worn by
one of the policemen, and the short range Motorola tactical radio which was
widely used by the Security Police units during the war.
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