Camp Enari

13°52′02″N 108°02′10″E / 13.86722°N 108.03611°E / 13.86722; 108.03611TypeArmy baseSite informationOperatorArmy of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)
United States Army (U.S. Army)ConditionAbandonedSite historyBuilt1966 (1966)In use1966-1972 (1972)Battles/wars
Vietnam WarGarrison informationGarrison4th Infantry DivisionAirfield informationElevation2,529 feet (771 m) AMSL
Runways
Direction Length and surface
09/27 2,500 feet (762 m) PSP

Camp Enari (also known as Dragon Mountain Base Camp and Hensel Airfield) is a former U.S. Army base south of Pleiku in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam.

History

Camp Enari was established near Dragon Mountain (Núi Hàm Rồng) and Highway 19, 12 km southeast of Pleiku. The base was named for 1st Lieutenant Mark Enari, the first 4th Infantry Division member awarded the Silver Star (posthumously) in Vietnam, who was killed in action on 2 December 1966.[1]: 171–2 

Camp Enari served as the base for the 4th Infantry Division from September 1966 until February 1968 and from April 1968 until February 1970.[2]

Other units stationed at Camp Enari included:

  • 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry (August 1967-February 1968, June-November 1968)[2]: 125 
  • 69th Armor Regiment (August 1967-April 1970)[2]: 93 
  • 4th Aviation Battalion[1]: 219 

Hensel Airfield was named after WO-1 Ernest Hensel a 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry Huey helicopter gunship pilot who was killed in action on 17 February 1967.[1]: 219 

The base was turned over to South Vietnamese control on 15 April 1970.[3]

Current use

The base is abandoned and turned over to farmland, light industry and housing.

References

  1. ^ a b c Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. ISBN 978-1555716257.
  2. ^ a b c Stanton, Shelby (2003). Vietnam Order of Battle. Stackpole Books. pp. 75–6. ISBN 9780811700719.
  3. ^ "Headquarters MACV Monthly Summary April 1970" (PDF). Headquarters United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. 17 August 1970. p. 43. Retrieved 15 March 2020.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.