Ubon - 3 Telecommunications

In 1962 as a response to a threat to Thailand from across the Laotian border four member Nations of SEATO, the United States, Britain, New Zealand and Australia sent armed units to create a holding force to Thailand.  These units were intended to withstand any initial attack until full scale reinforcements could be sent.
Australia ’s contribution would be No 79 Fighter Squadron equipped with eight CA-27 Avon Sabres to be based at RTAF Base Ubon a small airfield near the Laotian border.
The airfield had very little in the way of facilities except a runway and control tower, some Thai Air Force T-28s operated from there and the US had set up a Lion radar unit. Tents, ground support equipment and squadron supplies were flown in from Australia by C-130 Hercules and an operating base was established.
The Sabres flew in on 1 June 1962 and were operational four days later; they would remain so for the next six years.
The base support personnel were posted from units in Australia but the Sabres, aircrew and maintenance crews were drawn from No 78 Fighter Wing based at Butterworth in Malaysia.     The unit was disbanded in August 1968 with the base support staff returning to Australia and the squadron members to their parent units at Butterworth.   
3 Telecommunications Unit provided communications personnel to Ubon during the life of its operations.