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2 Administration DoDMERB Physical Check with SSgt SuttonDoDMERB Physical Check with SSgt Sutton Thursdays – See SSgt Sutton until you sign Form 16 saying you have an approved physical…GOT IT!!!Thursdays – See SSgt Sutton until you sign Form 16 saying you have an approved physical…GOT IT!!! CHECK DET TWICE A DAY!CHECK DET TWICE A DAY! Form 35 Civil Involvement ProcessForm 35 Civil Involvement Process

3 SAMPLES OF BEHAVIOR # 3. Describe how airpower was used in Southeast Asia to interdict the Ho Chi Minh Trail (N. Vietnamese supply routes into S. Vietnam)# 3. Describe how airpower was used in Southeast Asia to interdict the Ho Chi Minh Trail (N. Vietnamese supply routes into S. Vietnam) #4. Describe Rolling Thunder, Linebacker I & II (strategic bombing campaigns against N. Vietnam)#4. Describe Rolling Thunder, Linebacker I & II (strategic bombing campaigns against N. Vietnam) #5. Describe the uses and effectiveness of the B-52 in the Vietnam conflict.#5. Describe the uses and effectiveness of the B-52 in the Vietnam conflict. #6. Describe and give an example of the tactical airlift mission flown during Vietnam conflict#6. Describe and give an example of the tactical airlift mission flown during Vietnam conflict #8. Describe the US Air Force’s Search and Recovery mission in Vietnam#8. Describe the US Air Force’s Search and Recovery mission in Vietnam #9. Identify the lessons learned from the Vietnam conflict.#9. Identify the lessons learned from the Vietnam conflict.

4 Uses of Airpower Background Vietnam conflict was primarily a land war Vietnam conflict was primarily a land war Most air power was used in conjunction with ground opsMost air power was used in conjunction with ground ops North stayed above DMZ, so air superiority over the South was never a concern North stayed above DMZ, so air superiority over the South was never a concern In-country operations centered around In-country operations centered around InterdictionInterdiction Close Air Support (CAS)Close Air Support (CAS) AirliftAirlift ReconnaissanceReconnaissance Search and Rescue (SAR)Search and Rescue (SAR) Air-to-Air RefuelingAir-to-Air Refueling

5 airAfter Gulf of Tonkin, air units built up rapidly USAF occupied 10 major air bases All were built and defended by the Air Force Huge logistical effort USAF also flew from 6 bases in Thailand Navy flew from carriers in Gulf of Tonkin B-52s flew from Guam; at times even from the US In-Country Air Operations

6 Uses of Airpower during Vietnamization  Train the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF)  Support the South Vietnamese Army  Forestall suspected enemy attacks against withdrawing American units

7 Uses of Air Power Interdiction A major mission during SEA warA major mission during SEA war Aircraft used: F-4 Phantom, F-100 Super Sabre, F- 105 Thunderchief (Thud), AC-130 GunshipsAircraft used: F-4 Phantom, F-100 Super Sabre, F- 105 Thunderchief (Thud), AC-130 Gunships B-52 was the best known interdiction aircraft: a nuclear bomber modified to carry conventional weaponsB-52 was the best known interdiction aircraft: a nuclear bomber modified to carry conventional weapons Arc Light - Name for B-52 interdiction missionsArc Light - Name for B-52 interdiction missions F-100 Supersabre

8 Uses of Air Power Close Air Support (CAS) Missions to support forces of the ground Missions to support forces of the ground Aircraft used: A-4 Skyhawk, F-4, F-100, A-37 Dragonfly, A-1 Skyraider, and AC-47 Gunships (Puff the Magic Dragon) Aircraft used: A-4 Skyhawk, F-4, F-100, A-37 Dragonfly, A-1 Skyraider, and AC-47 Gunships (Puff the Magic Dragon) Gunships (cargo aircraft armed with rapid-fire machine guns) were very effective Gunships (cargo aircraft armed with rapid-fire machine guns) were very effective Forward Air Controllers (FACs) were used to locate the enemy and mark targets for faster flying jets Forward Air Controllers (FACs) were used to locate the enemy and mark targets for faster flying jets A-4 Skyhawk A-1 Skyraider

9 Uses of Air Power Close Air Support (con’t) B-52 Arc Light aircraft were occasionally used for close air support Used extensively in close air support at Khe SanhUsed extensively in close air support at Khe Sanh Flew 2,548 sortiesFlew 2,548 sorties Dropped bombs within 300 yards of of US Marine perimeterDropped bombs within 300 yards of of US Marine perimeter Credited with saving Khe Sanh and repelling the Tet and Easter OffensivesCredited with saving Khe Sanh and repelling the Tet and Easter Offensives

10 Vital to successful US operations because of poor security on roads Vital to successful US operations because of poor security on roads Aircraft used: UH-1 Hueys, C-7 Caribous, Aircraft used: UH-1 Hueys, C-7 Caribous, C-123 Providers, C-130 Hercules C-123 Providers, C-130 Hercules Missions often flown while under attack Missions often flown while under attack Supplies often air-dropped because of enemy fire and poor landing facilities Supplies often air-dropped because of enemy fire and poor landing facilities A major factor in keeping Khe Sanh alive A major factor in keeping Khe Sanh alive C-123 Provider C-7 Caribou Uses of Air Power Tactical Airlift

11 Uses of Air Power Reconnaissance Aircraft used: RF-4C, RB-57 Canberra, and RB-66 Destroyers Aircraft used: RF-4C, RB-57 Canberra, and RB-66 Destroyers Aircraft were equipped with variety of cameras and sensing devices Aircraft were equipped with variety of cameras and sensing devices Missions: locating lucrative targets and assessing battle damage Missions: locating lucrative targets and assessing battle damage A valuable part of repelling Tet and protecting Khe Sanh A valuable part of repelling Tet and protecting Khe Sanh RB 66 Destroyer RB 57 Canberra

12 An extremely important part of the air support mission throughout Southeast Asia An extremely important part of the air support mission throughout Southeast Asia Buttressed aircrew morale; fliers knew every effort would be made to save them if shot down Buttressed aircrew morale; fliers knew every effort would be made to save them if shot down Aircraft used: HH-3 Jolly Green Giants and HH-53 Super Jolly Greens Aircraft used: HH-3 Jolly Green Giants and HH-53 Super Jolly Greens By 1973, USAF had rescued 3,883 Americans By 1973, USAF had rescued 3,883 Americans Uses of Air Power Search and Rescue (SAR)

13 Indispensable - extended the range of combat aircraft and enabled many aircraft to return safely Indispensable - extended the range of combat aircraft and enabled many aircraft to return safely C-130s refueled helicopters, KC-135s refueled fixed wing aircraft C-130s refueled helicopters, KC-135s refueled fixed wing aircraft SAC tankers flew 195,000 sorties, unloaded 9 billion pounds of fuel, and took part in 814,000 individual refuelings SAC tankers flew 195,000 sorties, unloaded 9 billion pounds of fuel, and took part in 814,000 individual refuelings C-130 Refueling KC-135 Tanker Uses of Air Power Air-to-Air Refueling

14 Major Campaigns Rolling Thunder Officially began 2 March 1965Officially began 2 March 1965 ObjectivesObjectives Interdict the flow of supplies from the NorthInterdict the flow of supplies from the North Force the North to stop supporting the Vietcong and quit the warForce the North to stop supporting the Vietcong and quit the war Raise South Vietnamese moraleRaise South Vietnamese morale RF 4 Phantom

15 Strategic bombing and interdiction campaignStrategic bombing and interdiction campaign Strategic because it was aimed at the North’s will to wage warStrategic because it was aimed at the North’s will to wage war Interdiction because the North had few large industries and got most of their material from China and the Soviet UnionInterdiction because the North had few large industries and got most of their material from China and the Soviet Union Employed mostly tactical aircraft: F-105, F-4, and F-111. In 1966, B-52s were used in the Southern part of North VietnamEmployed mostly tactical aircraft: F-105, F-4, and F-111. In 1966, B-52s were used in the Southern part of North Vietnam F-111F-105 Major Campaigns Rolling Thunder (con't)

16  Johnson administration controlled campaign tightly  Targets declared off limits by civilians included: Targets in Hanoi, Haiphong, China border areaTargets in Hanoi, Haiphong, China border area MIG bases and non-firing SAM sitesMIG bases and non-firing SAM sites Dams, dikes, hydroelectric plantsDams, dikes, hydroelectric plants  White House selected targets, weapons and flying routes with little military input Major Campaigns Rolling Thunder Restrictions

17  Graduated increases in bombing intensity worked to advantage of North Vietnamese Gave them time to recover from damageGave them time to recover from damage Enabled them to establish the world’s most intense antiaircraft defense systemEnabled them to establish the world’s most intense antiaircraft defense system Provided them the will to fight on and a sense they could surviveProvided them the will to fight on and a sense they could survive  By 1965, it was clear that Rolling Thunder didn’t work that Rolling Thunder didn’t work Major Campaigns Rolling Thunder: Effect of Restrictions

18  Impacts South’s morale improved as the North suffered under the bombingSouth’s morale improved as the North suffered under the bombing North used frequent halts and restrictions to repair damage and resupply forces in SouthNorth used frequent halts and restrictions to repair damage and resupply forces in South Criticism grew at home and internationallyCriticism grew at home and internationally  Johnson ended Rolling Thunder prior to 1968 elections  Rolling Thunder campaign, America’s longest, was a failure Major Campaigns Rolling Thunder: Conclusions

19 Major Campaigns Linebacker I Easter Offensive (Mar 1972) made it apparent the North was not willing to negotiateEaster Offensive (Mar 1972) made it apparent the North was not willing to negotiate Objectives of Linebacker IObjectives of Linebacker I Initially a close air support effort to aid retreating South Vietnamese forcesInitially a close air support effort to aid retreating South Vietnamese forces Later, changed to an interdiction campaign against North VietnamLater, changed to an interdiction campaign against North Vietnam A systematic campaignA systematic campaign with little civilian control, unlike Rolling Thunder with little civilian control, unlike Rolling Thunder B 52 Stratofortress

20 Civilian casualties a consideration but didn’t determine how missions were flown Civilian casualties a consideration but didn’t determine how missions were flown Haiphong harbor mined for the first time to restrict delivery of supplies to the North Haiphong harbor mined for the first time to restrict delivery of supplies to the North Strikes flown over Hanoi and Haiphong Strikes flown over Hanoi and Haiphong B-52 strikes on Haiphong began April 1972 B-52 strikes on Haiphong began April 1972 “Smart bombs” used extensively “Smart bombs” used extensively Major Campaigns Linebacker I (con’t)

21 Linebacker I was the most successful US bombing campaign of the war Linebacker I was the most successful US bombing campaign of the war Had more impact on the North Vietnam in 9 months than Rolling Thunder did in 4 years Had more impact on the North Vietnam in 9 months than Rolling Thunder did in 4 years Successful largely because Easter Offensive was a conventional, mechanized attack Successful largely because Easter Offensive was a conventional, mechanized attack Peace Talks resumed in July 1972 Peace Talks resumed in July 1972 Nixon restricted Linebacker I attacks to below the 20th parallelNixon restricted Linebacker I attacks to below the 20th parallel Major Campaigns Linebacker I Successes

22 Peace Talks stalled again in Dec 1972 Peace Talks stalled again in Dec 1972 Nixon ordered Linebacker II to run concurrently with Linebacker I Nixon ordered Linebacker II to run concurrently with Linebacker I Purpose of Linebacker II was to force the North Vietnamese to negotiate and sign a peace treaty Purpose of Linebacker II was to force the North Vietnamese to negotiate and sign a peace treaty Ran from 18 Dec to 30 Dec referred to as the “Christmas Campaign” Ran from 18 Dec to 30 Dec referred to as the “Christmas Campaign” Major Campaigns Linebacker II

23 Very intense and logistically complex Very intense and logistically complex Specific targets in Hanoi and Haiphong Specific targets in Hanoi and Haiphong B-52s used for the first time over Hanoi B-52s used for the first time over Hanoi By the end of Linebacker II, North Vietnam was defenseless By the end of Linebacker II, North Vietnam was defenseless 1,200 SAMs were fired 1,200 SAMs were fired 80% of the North’s electrical systems and 25% of their POL facilities were destroyed 80% of the North’s electrical systems and 25% of their POL facilities were destroyed Major Campaigns Linebacker II (con’t)

24 North Vietnam returned to the bargaining table on 30 Dec 1972North Vietnam returned to the bargaining table on 30 Dec 1972 All bombing ceased on 15 Jan 1973All bombing ceased on 15 Jan 1973 Peace treaty was signed on 27 Jan 1973Peace treaty was signed on 27 Jan 1973 Linebacker II was a successLinebacker II was a success Some believe that if Rolling Thunder had been conducted like Linebacker II, the war would have ended in unlikelySome believe that if Rolling Thunder had been conducted like Linebacker II, the war would have ended in unlikely Major Campaigns Linebacker II Results

25 Uses of Airpower Uses of Airpower Rolling Thunder Rolling Thunder Linebacker I Linebacker I Linebacker II Linebacker II Vietnam Service Medal Interim Summary

PostVietnam

27 US reluctance to enter military conflicts that don’t directly threaten national interests US reluctance to enter military conflicts that don’t directly threaten national interests Congressional restriction on President’s ability to commit US military forces Congressional restriction on President’s ability to commit US military forces Lowered public opinion of the government and the military Lowered public opinion of the government and the military The all-volunteer military force The all-volunteer military force Increased emphasis on military resources, training, and weapons Increased emphasis on military resources, training, and weapons Vietnam Conflict Results

28 Results for Southeast Asia North Vietnam and South Vietnam joined into one country dominated by the North Vietnamese communists North Vietnam and South Vietnam joined into one country dominated by the North Vietnamese communists Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City Saigon renamed Ho Chi Minh City Exodus of boat people, many to America Exodus of boat people, many to America Hundreds of thousands of US supporters sent to "reeducation" camps Hundreds of thousands of US supporters sent to "reeducation" camps Over 6.5 million displaced Vietnamese war refugees Over 6.5 million displaced Vietnamese war refugees Expected postwar blood bath never materialized. Expected postwar blood bath never materialized.

29  US can’t win a counterinsurgency war in another country; only the people of that country can  Force and technology of limited value in a “people’s war”  Realistic assessments by national leaders required before forces are committed  “Know your enemy and know yourself”  “Graduated Response” is an ineffective way to employ air power The Vietnam Conflict Lessons Learned

30 The Vietnam War Lessons Learned (con’t)  In a democracy, congressional and public support are critical and difficult to get  Modern war is open to public scrutiny  Let those who understand war conduct it  We need revolutionary technology, not evolutionary  We need precision munitions

31  Questions?  Next Week: Chapters 16 & 17 Reminder: Memos are Due! Next Week