Intelligence and Security Operations of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Ministry of National Defense

iSECRF|_
former VNAF pilots and mechanics, although their assistance was needed bythe PAVN Air Force to fly and maintain hundreds of aircraft confiscated after
the collapse of South Vietnam. Treatment varied in part due to where they
had_been originally interned. Personnel of the VNAF lst (Danang) and 2nd
(Nha Trang) Air Divisions who were stranded in Central Vietnam were
immediately classified as prisoners of war (tu binh), while those of the VNAF3rd (Bien Hoa), 4th (Binh Thuy), and 5th (Tan Son Nhut) Air Divisions, the
VNAF Headquarters, Aircraft Control and Warning Group, Air Logistics
Command (Bien Hoa), Air Operations Command, and the Air Medical Center
at Tan Son Nhut were classified as “surrenderers." All VNAF personnel in the
Tan Son Nhut—Saigon area were interned at Camp Davis, Tan Son Nhut,
which was converted into a reeducation camp for. VNAF personnel. The
treatment of VNAF 4th Air Division personnel at the Binh Thuy Air Base near
Can Tho illustrates how VNAF personnel were initially processed and later
used by the PAVN Air Force.
On 1 May 1975, the first full day of PAVN control, the VNAFCommander of the Binh Thuy Air Base appeared on television and directed
all VNAF personnel in the Can Tho area to report to the base on 4 May. After
reporting as directed, personnel surrendered their VNAF identification card
and weapons permit, and were issued a paper bearing only their name and the
date they had reported. During the following two weeks, Saigon Liberation
Radio broadcasted instructions for all first and second lieutenants in the Can
Tho area to report to the Phan Thanh Gian High School in Can Tho on 15
May. About 2,000 officers, including VNAF officers, reported on 15 May, and
were classified in alphabetical order by name, rather than by service, and
were assigned in 20-man groups per classroom. Between 0600 and 2100 hours,
seven days a week, the daily routine did not vary. Internees were assigned to
work details; received two hours political indoctrination daily with each
officer taking daily turns as a discussion ‘leader under the guidance of a camp
cadre; and were given two bowls (500 grams) of rice with vegetables and fish.
The rice ration was cut in half after the first month. Pilots were condemned as
the greatest enemies of the people, followed by officers who had served in
artillery and armored units. At first, relatives were permitted 30 minute visits
on Saturdays and Sundays; however, this privilege was withdrawn after the
first month. All mail was censored. No medicines were provided. About 50
percent of the internees suffered from varying degrees of malaria. Only the
very seriously ill were sent to hospitals for medical treatment.
In August 1975, the treatment of VNAF internees changed for the better.
VNAF pilots and mechanics were released for limited service under close
supervision with the PAVN Air Force. In September 1975, the Phan Thanh
Gian Camp was closed, and all remaining internees were transferred to the
Chi Lang Camp in An Giang Province. At the Binh Thuy Airbase, 30-man
VNAF mechanic cellswere formed under the supervision of PAVN Air Force
officers and NCOs for all engine and airframe maintenance on UH-1,
U-17, 0-1, and A~37 aircraft. VNAF A-87 pilots were involved in the training
of PAVN 937th Air Defense Regiment MIG pilots on the A-37. Other VNAFpilots were assigned to PAVN Air Force bases at Phan Rang and Bien Hoa. As
of January 1976, the PAVN Air Force planned to deploy former VNAF pilots
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