Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base

Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base is located in the Takhli District of Nakhon Sawan Province, approximately 240 kilometers northwest of Bangkok. Established in the 1950s, the facility served as a United States Central Intelligence Agency operating base for resupply missions into Tibet using C-130A aircraft. In 1961, the Thai government authorized United States use of the base for air defense and reconnaissance. During the 1960s and 1970s, the base served as a major installation for United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces units. Historical operations included the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, which operated F-105 Thunderchief aircraft for Operation Rolling Thunder and Wild Weasel missions. Other aircraft hosted at the base during this period included F-100 Super Sabres, EB-66 electronic countermeasure aircraft, KC-135 tankers, and C-123 aircraft for Operation Ranch Hand. The facility supported F-111A Combat Lancer evaluations and served as a staging site for the 1970 Son Tay rescue mission. After a temporary closure in 1971, the base reopened in 1972 to host F-4D and F-111A squadrons for Operation Linebacker. The United States officially returned the facility to the Thai government on September 12, 1974.

The Royal Thai Air Force currently operates the base as the home of Wing 4, 3d Air Division. Its mission includes air defense, light attack, and reconnaissance. Stationed units include the 401 Light Attack Squadron, which operates T-50 TH Golden Eagle aircraft, and the 402 Reconnaissance Squadron, flying the DA 42 MPP. The 403 Fighter Squadron is equipped with F-16A/B MLU Fighting Falcons. Unmanned aerial operations are conducted by the 302 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron, which utilizes Aerostar and Dominator UAVs. Infrastructure at the base supports these manned and unmanned platforms through dedicated maintenance and flight line facilities tailored to fighter, light attack, and reconnaissance operations.