1. Airpower Thru the Cold War

2. Master Overview  Vietnam I – A Chronology  Vietnam II – Uses of Airpower  Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

3. Vietnam II Overview  Background  During Vietnamization  Airpower Functions in Vietnam  Rolling Thunder  Linebacker I  Linebacker II  Vietnam War Results  Lessons Learned  CFD Review

4. Uses of Airpower Background Vietnam War was primarily a land warVietnam War was primarily a land war Most air power used in conjunction with ground opsMost air power used in conjunction with ground ops North stayed above DMZ, so air superiority over the South was never a concernNorth stayed above DMZ, so air superiority over the South was never a concern In-country operations centered around: interdiction, close air support, airlift, recon, search and rescue, and air refuelingIn-country operations centered around: interdiction, close air support, airlift, recon, search and rescue, and air refueling

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

6. Uses of Air Power 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 Best known interdiction aircraft was the B-52: a nuclear bomber modified to carry conventional weaponsBest known interdiction aircraft was the B-52: a nuclear bomber modified to carry conventional weapons  Arc Light--Name for B-52 interdiction missions F-100 Supersabre

8. Uses of Air Power Close Air Support Missions to support forces of the groundMissions 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 effectiveGunships, 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 jetsForward 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  B-52 Arc Light aircraft were occasionally used for close air support  B-52 were used extensively in close air support at Khe Sanh  Flew 2,548 sorties and dropped bombs within 300 yards of of U.S. Marine perimeter  B-52 credited with saving Khe Sanh and repelling the Tet and Easter Offensives

10. Uses of Air Power Tactical Airlift Tactical Airlift Vital to successful US operations because of poor security on roadsVital 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, and C-130 Hercules C-123 Providers, and C-130 Hercules Missions often flown while under attackMissions often flown while under attack Supplies often air-dropped because of enemy fire and poor landing facilitiesSupplies often air-dropped because of enemy fire and poor landing facilities A major factor in keeping Khe Sanh aliveA major factor in keeping Khe Sanh alive C-123 Provider C-7 Caribou

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

12. Uses of Air Power Search and Rescue An extremely important part of the air support mission throughout Southeast AsiaAn 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 downButtressed 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 GreensAircraft used: HH-3 Jolly Green Giants and HH-53 Super Jolly Greens By’73, USAF had rescued 3,883 AmericansBy’73, USAF had rescued 3,883 Americans

13. Uses of Air Power Air to Air Refueling Indispensable -- extended the range of combat aircraft and enabled many aircraft to return safelyIndispensable -- extended the range of combat aircraft and enabled many aircraft to return safely C-130s refueled helicopters, KC-135s refueled fixed wing aircraftC-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 refuelingsSAC 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

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

15. Rolling Thunder (con’t) Strategic bombing and interdiction campaignStrategic bombing and interdiction campaign  Strategic 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 Union Employed mostly tactical aircraft -- F-105s, F- 4s and F-111s -- B-52s used in ‘66 in the Southern part of North VietnamEmployed mostly tactical aircraft -- F-105s, F- 4s and F-111s -- B-52s used in ‘66 in the Southern part of North Vietnam F-111 F-105

16. Rolling Thunder Restrictions  Johnson administration controlled campaign tightly  Restriction imposed by civilians included:  Hanoi, Haiphong, China border – off limits  MIG bases and non-firing SAM sites--off limits  Dams, dikes, hydroelectric plants--off limits  White House selected targets, weapons and flying routes -- with little military input

17. Rolling Thunder  Graduated increases in bombing intensity worked to advantage of North Vietnamese  Gave them time to recover from damage  Allowed them to establish the world’s most intense antiaircraft defense system  Provided them the will to fight on and a sense they could survive  By 1965, it became clear that Rolling Thunder didn’t work

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

19. Major Campaigns “Linebacker I” “Linebacker I” Easter Offensive (Mar 72) made it apparent the North was not willing to negotiateEaster Offensive (Mar 72) made it apparent the North was not willing to negotiate Objectives of LinebackerObjectives of Linebacker  Initially a close air support effort to aid retreating South Vietnamese forces  Later, changed to an interdiction campaign against North Vietnam  A systematic campaign with little civilian control – unlike Rolling Thunder B 52 Stratofortress

20. Linebacker I (con’t) Civilian casualties were a consideration but didn’t determine how missions were flownCivilian casualties were a consideration but didn’t determine how missions were flown Haiphong harbor was mined for the first time to restrict in-coming supplies for the NorthHaiphong harbor was mined for the first time to restrict in-coming supplies for the North Strikes were flown over Hanoi and Haiphong -- B-52 strikes on Haiphong began April ‘72Strikes were flown over Hanoi and Haiphong -- B-52 strikes on Haiphong began April ‘72 “Smart bombs’ were used extensively“Smart bombs’ were used extensively

21. Linebacker I (con’t) Linebacker I was the most successful US bombing campaign of the warLinebacker 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  Successful largely because Easter Offensive was a conventional, mechanized attack Peace Talks resumed in July 1972Peace Talks resumed in July 1972 Nixon restricted Linebacker I attacks to below the 20th parallelNixon restricted Linebacker I attacks to below the 20th parallel

22. Major Campaigns “Linebacker II” Peace Talks stalled again in Dec 72Peace Talks stalled again in Dec 72 Nixon ordered Linebacker II to run concurrently with Linebacker INixon 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 treatyPurpose of Linebacker II was to force the North Vietnamese to negotiate and sign a peace treaty Ran from 18 Dec to 30 Dec 1972 -- referred to as the “Christmas Campaign”Ran from 18 Dec to 30 Dec 1972 -- referred to as the “Christmas Campaign”

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

24. Linebacker II (con’t) North Vietnam returned to the bargaining table 30 Dec 72North Vietnam returned to the bargaining table 30 Dec 72 All bombing ceased on 15 Jan 73All bombing ceased on 15 Jan 73 Peace treaty was signed on 27 Jan 73Peace treaty was signed on 27 Jan 73 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 ‘65 -- unlikely http://www.davka.org/what/theleft/peoplespeacetreatyvietnam.html

25. VIDEO Vietnam

26. PostVietnam

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

28. The Vietnam War Lessons Learned  U.S. can’t win a counterinsurgency war in another country--only the people of that country can  Force and technology are of limited value in a “people’s war”  Before committing force, national leaders leaders must base decisions on realistic assessments

29. More Lessons Learned  Know your enemy and know yourself  “Graduated Response” is an ineffective way to employ air power -- reduces surprise, flexibility and concentration of force  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

30. Review of CFD Model  Distinctive Capabilities: Air and space expertise, capabilities and technological know-how that produces superior military capabilities  Functions: Broad, fundamental and continuing activities of air and space power  Doctrine: fundamental principles which military forces guide their actions in support of national objectives

31. Review of Distinctive Capabilities  Air and Space Superiority : With it, joint forces can dominate enemy operations in all dimensions -- land, sea, air and space.  Global Attack: Because of technological advances, the Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime -- and do so quickly and with greater precision than ever before.  Rapid Global Mobility: Being able to respond quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is key to maintaining rapid global mobility.  Precision Engagement: The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage.  Information Superiority: The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial.  Agile Combat Support: Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces.

32. CFD Model Time Period Distinctive Capabilities Functions (missions) Doctrinal Emphasis Berlin Airlift Korean Conflict Vietnam Rapid Global MobilityAirliftStrategic Airlift Theater Airlift Theater attack, Of military targets Air Superiority Precision Engagement Global Attack Rapid Global Mobility Agile Combat Support Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack Strategic attack and nuclear deterrence prior to Vietnam Shift towards deterrence through strength and global attack Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack Air and Space Superiority Precision Engagement Agile combat support

33. Review of Air and Space Functions Strategic Attack CounterairCounterspaceCounterlandCountersea Information Operations (IO) Combat Support Command & Control Airlift Air Refueling Spacelift Special Ops Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) Navigation and Positioning Weather Services

34. CFD Model Time Period Distinctive Capabilities Functions (missions) Doctrinal Emphasis Berlin Airlift Korean Conflict Vietnam Rapid Global MobilityAirliftStrategic Airlift Theater Airlift Theater attack, Of military targets Air Superiority Precision Engagement Global Attack Rapid Global Mobility Agile Combat Support Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack Strategic attack and nuclear deterrence prior to Vietnam Shift towards deterrence through strength and global attack Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack Air and Space Superiority Precision Engagement Agile combat support

35. Vietnam II Overview  Background  During Vietnamization  Airpower Functions in Vietnam  Rolling Thunder  Linebacker I  Linebacker II  Vietnam War Results  Lessons Learned  CFD Review

36. Master Overview  Vietnam I – A Chronology  Vietnam II – Uses of Airpower  Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

37. Airpower Thru the Cold War