Big Eagle 1

In spring 1966, Operation Big Eagle was the deployment of A-26s from England AFB, LA to Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand. An earlier deployment of B-26s into South Vietnam in the early 60s had shown the need for beefed-up structures. These B-26s had been rebuilt specifically for service in SEA. At the time, the government of Thailand was not comfortable being identified as a base for bombers attacking Communist forces in neighboring countries, so these A-26s were labeled with the Attack designation.