This circa 1967 takes its viewer to Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and examines the use and construction of US air bases during the conflict. We learn starting at mark 01:38 how existing air bases in Vietnam were quickly saturated with personnel and aircrafts as the military increased its presence in the region. The increase led military engineers and civilian contractors to construct two new air bases in South Vietnam by 1965 (mark 02:18). We see scenes of new runways and prefabricated buildings, and finally at mark 03:40 are shown the film’s title: “Operation Turnkey Tua Hua Air Base Construction.” (The base, near the South China Sea, was in operation between 1965–1966 and was used by the US Air Force in the II Corps Tactical Zone of South Vietnam. It was closed in 1970 and seized by the People’s Army of Vietnam in April 1975. Today, the site has been redeveloped as Dong Tac Airport.) We finally learn how Operation Turnkey was a project involving the design, logistic support, and construction of airfields during the war. The film shows a montage of scenes as the narrator explains how the air field came to fruition, and the various civilian and military personnel responsible for the project. There is a look at the village as it was before it was “pressed between concrete and aluminum.” Maps of the air base and facilities and interspersed with scenes of engineers examining plans and eventually setting up a camp (mark 07:08). Air Force personnel and civilians are shown receiving shipments of supples and heavy equipment as the film continues, with a flurry of construction scenes shown starting at mark 13:00. Each step of the process is accompanied by a narration and it is excitedly revealed how the aluminum matting for the runway was finished by December 1966 (mark 20:44) — more than a month ahead of schedule — as an Air Force C-130 and C-134 are shown landing at the new airstrip. The aircraft carried additional equipment for the base in preparation for the arrival of the F-100 Tactical Fighter Squadrons of the 31st Fighter Wing. The official opening of the Tua Hua Air Base is shown with a flag raising ceremony at mark 22:00. As the film approaches its ending we’re told how the air base was used to launch strikes against various North Vietnamese targets before taking a final look at opening day ceremonies and the finishing touches of the bases.

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