In Vietnam conflict what is the most usual shape and set up of an U.S. fire base?

Question

i would like to know the usual set up of a fire base during vietnam. what and where were it's defenses, fences machine guns mortars..., what about medical tents, mesh halls, and commander's HQ any information aill be helpful as i am making a model to replicate a fire base under siege of VC
also what kinda of land was usually used top of hills?, mountains/ flat areas if possible>

Answer 1

I don't have that much experience with fire bases, but the shape generally depended on the geography of the location.

Special Forces camps were usually triangular with a cleared area well out from the perimeter.

Most of the units were small, a battery would likely be the largest size at the base. Medical facility would be a one or two-man aid station. Mess hall would be a tent if one was used, but more likely the troops would eat at their duty stations if under siege.

In the central highlands a fire base would be located on top of a hill or near the top as possible.

Some sites were on flat enough hilltops to have some latitude. A helipad or short airstrip might be included if there was room.

Defenses consisted of several perimeters of barbed wire, with tin cans attached to make noise if needed. Most perimeters were defended by M-60 machine guns located to give a good field of fire, and overlapping as much as possible.

Mortars, when used, were generally sent where needed. Mortars are a bit more flexible in location than machine guns, but always care must be exercised to site these weapons where they would menace the enemy more than the site itself.

A fire base is an artillery site, and needs to be supplied with ammunition, usually by air. It also needs a good field of fire for the artillery, usually 105mm or 8 inch howitzers.

Command post would be as near the center as practicable, bunkered, and not obvious to someone outside the base.

Answer 2

~Burnt, overrun and full of shell craters.