Archaeological discoveries

Was herbicides or agent orange used at Clark AFB Philippines in 1968 and 1969?

Yes, herbicides, including Agent Orange, were used at Clark Air Base in the Philippines during the Vietnam War era, specifically in 1968 and 1969. Herbicides were employed as part of Operation Ranch Hand, a U.S. military program that aimed to defoliate forests and agricultural areas in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia to remove vegetation that provided cover and concealment for enemy forces.

Clark Air Base served as a major logistics and staging hub for U.S. military operations in the region, and it is known that herbicides, including Agent Orange, were stored and handled at the base. These chemicals were transported from Clark Air Base to Vietnam and other locations for use in defoliation missions.

The use of Agent Orange and other herbicides during the Vietnam War has been linked to long-term health effects, including various cancers, birth defects, and other illnesses, among both U.S. veterans and the local population in Vietnam. The widespread and indiscriminate use of these chemicals has raised concerns about environmental contamination and potential health risks associated with exposure to dioxin, a highly toxic compound found in Agent Orange.