About this Unit
**USAF RMC CLARK APO SF 96274** refers to the United States Air Force Regional Medical Center at Clark Air Base, located in the Philippines. Established as a key medical facility, the RMC at Clark provided comprehensive healthcare services to U.S. military personnel, their families, and allied forces throughout Southeast Asia, especially during the Vietnam War era. As part of the broader U.S. presence in the Pacific, the medical center played a crucial role in treating wounded soldiers evacuated from combat zones, offering advanced surgical and recovery capabilities. The facility continued operations until the closure of Clark Air Base in 1991, following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo and subsequent U.S.-Philippines base agreement changes.
Historical Facts
• USAF RMC CLARK APO SF 96274: This designation refers to the United States Air Force Regional Medical Center (RMC) at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, with the APO (Army Post Office) address code 96274 used during the Vietnam War era and beyond.
• Strategic Medical Hub: Clark RMC was the largest U.S. Air Force hospital outside the United States, serving as a critical medical evacuation and treatment center for wounded personnel from Vietnam, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific region.
• Operation Homecoming: In 1973, Clark RMC played a central role in Operation Homecoming, receiving and providing immediate care for American POWs released from North Vietnam before their return to the U.S.
• 24/7 Aeromedical Evacuation: The RMC coordinated around-the-clock medical evacuation flights, often using C-9 Nightingale aircraft, to transport injured and ill service members from combat zones to definitive care.
• Clark RMC’s Advanced Facilities: At its peak, the hospital had over 400 beds, a modern surgical suite, intensive care units, and specialized treatment centers, making it one of the most advanced military hospitals in the Pacific.
• Disaster Relief Operations: The unit’s medical teams frequently responded to natural disasters in the region, including typhoons, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, providing humanitarian aid to both military personnel and local populations.
• Community Engagement: The RMC staff regularly participated in medical civic action programs (MEDCAP), offering free medical and dental care to Filipino communities surrounding Clark Air Base.
• Mount Pinatubo Eruption: In June 1991, Clark RMC was instrumental in the emergency response and evacuation efforts during and after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Pinatubo, which ultimately led to the closure of Clark Air Base.
• Cold War Hotspot: Throughout the Cold War, Clark RMC supported not only Vietnam War operations but also U.S. military presence and readiness in the Pacific, serving as a key logistical and medical node.
• Legacy and Transition: After the U.S. withdrawal from Clark Air Base in 1991, the former RMC facilities were eventually turned over to the Philippine government, and parts of the site have since been repurposed for civilian use.
