6492nd Combat Cargo Group (Troop Carrier) and the 6493rd Aerial Port Squadron were organized and attached to the 315th Air Division, based at Tachikawa AB. On 8 December 1962 the 315th Air Commando Group, (Troop Carrier) was activated replacing the 6492nd Combat Cargo Group and became responsible for all in-country airlift in South Vietnam, including control over all USAF airlift assets. On the same date the 8th Aerial Port Squadron replaced the 6493rd Aerial Port Squadron.The 315th Group was assigned to the 315th Air Division, but came under the operational control of MACV through the 2d Air Division. On 10 August 1964 6 Royal Australian Air Force RAAF Transport Flight Vietnam DHC-4 Caribous arrived at the base and were assigned to the airlift system. In October 1964 the 19th Air Commando Squadron equipped with C-123s was established at the base and assigned to the 315th Troop Carrier Group. On 8 March 1965 the 315th Troop Carrier Group was redesignated the 315th Air Commando Group. The 315th Air Commando Group was re-designated the 315th Air Commando Wing on 8 March 1966. Squadrons of the 315th ACW/TC were: 12th Air Commando Squadron (Defoliation), 15 October 1966 – 30 September 1970 (Bien Hoa) (UC-123 Provider) Det 1, 834th Air Division, 15 October 1966 – 1 December 1971 (Tan Son Nhut) (C-130B Hercules) 19th Air Commando Squadron 8 March 1966 – 10 June 1971 (Tan Son Nhut) (C-123 Provider) (including 2 Royal Thai Air Force-operated C-123s named Victory Flight) 309th Air Commando Squadron 8 March 1966 – 31 July 1970 (Phan Rang) (C-123) 310th Air Commando Squadron 8 March 1966 – 15 January 1972 (Phan Rang) (C-123) 311th Air Commando Squadron 8 March 1966 – 5 October 1971 (Phan Rang) (C-123) Det 1., HQ 315th Air Commando Wing, Troop Carrier 1 August – 15 October 1966 Det 5., HQ 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo) 8 March – 15 October 1966 Det 6., HQ 315th Air Division (Combat Cargo) (8 March – 15 October 1966) 903rd Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron 8 July 1966 RAAF Transport Flight, Vietnam (RTFV) 8 March – 15 October 1966 The unit also performed C-123 airlift operations in Vietnam. Operations included aerial movement of troops and cargo, flare drops, aeromedical evacuation, and air-drops of critical supplies and paratroops Operation Ranch Hand The 315th ACG was responsible for Operation Ranch Hand Defoliant operations missions. After some modifications to the aircraft (which included adding