Vietnam+Air+War

=__//VIETNAM AIR WAR //__= **The Vietnam War would not have been the same if not for the air campaigns, planes, and helicopter tactics used by the American military to combat the Vietcong. Some refer to Vietnam as the "Air War" because it played such a large role in battle. Air forces were important to the military struggle in Vietnam, and because of this many technological advances in air machinery occurred. Many new tactics were introduced from search and destroy missions flown by helicopter to bombing raids called "arc lights" carried out by B-52 bombers.

HELICOPTER TECHNIQUES** Helicopters had many uses in Vietnam. They were used to transport soldiers from place to place, and also to provide ground troops with the various rations needed for day to day activity. In the Korean War helicopters were used mainly to transport wounded and dead soldiers off the battlefield. In Vietnam the United States Air Force used them in many more ways. They were used in larger battles and equipped with turrets to provide support to ground troops. Helicopters were also used in search and destroy missions to hunt down and take out various VC strong holds. Helicopters were a huge success in Vietnam and were highly advantageous since the Vietcong had none. However 4,685 helicopters of all types were downed by communist ground fire at a cost of about $250,000 a piece. In other words it cost the US government roughly $1.2 billion.



Operation Rolling Thunder was a bombing campaign that was meant to show the United States' total air supremacy in the war against the Vietnamese. It was approved by the United States government on February 24, 1965 and the first attack occured on March 2. This campaign lasted until October 1968 even though it was originally meant to be an eight week campaign. The operation's objective was to take out various communication, transportation, and ammunition facilities. However, the US was limited in what it could do for fear of provoking Chinese and Soviet intervention. At the beginning, Operation Rolling Thunder was supposed to be used as a way to discourage the North Vietnamese by showing our awesome millitary force. After Ho Chi Minh's government did not collapse under the bombing pressure, the operation turned it's focus on supply lines from the North into the South instead of specific targets in the North. Throughout the few years the operation was in effect, 643,000 tons of bombs were dropped. However, nearly 900 US aircraft were lost. The estimated cost to North Vietnam through these bombing raids was $300 million. However, due to the enormous expense of the operation it cost the US nearly $900 million. Operation Rolling Thunder came to an end as a way to bring North Vietnam to the negotiating table. Peace talks with the North Vietnamese started two months after the end of the operation.
 * OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER**

War Planes

The Thunderchief was considered to be the most advanced plane in the Vietnam War. It was originally designed to serve as a supersonic long-range nuclear bomber. The Thunderchief could carry up to five tons of bombs, and from 1965 to 1970 did most of the air force's bombing in Vietnam. It typically carried a load of eight 750-pound bombs. Though typically an attack bomber over Vietnam, the Phantom was able to shoot down 27 Vietnamese MiGs (Russian supplied jets). //** Specifications: **//
 * **Maximum speed:** 1,390 mph.
 * **Cruising speed:** 778 mph.
 * **Cost:** $2,136,668



The F-100 Super Sabre was a primary fighter in Vietnam from the early 1960's until it was withdrawn in 1970 from the war. It could carry almost four tons of bombs, but was also armed with four twenty millimeter cannons and air-to-air missiles. It was used to help ground troops by attacking road junctions, bridges, and concentrations of Vietcong soldiers. The plane was permanently retired in the late 1980's and is known as the airplane that created a supersonic air force.

//**Specifications:**//
 * Maximum Speed: 926.6 mph.
 * Cruising Speed: 590 mph.
 * Cost: $704,000

 The F-4 Phantom was first flown in May 1958, and made it's way into the Navy in 1961. It was used for close air support, interdiction, and counter air operations. The F-4 can carry twice the bomb load of a WWII B-17 bomber.The Phantom was also used to carry out reconnaissance missions. It was also flew "[|wild weasel]" anti-aircraft suppression missions. Phantom production ended in 1979 after five thousand had been built. USAF, Navy, and Marine Corps Phantom IIs achieved 227 air victories in Vietnam.

//**Specifications:**//
 * Maximum Speed: 1,400 mph
 * Cruising Speed: 590 mph
 * Weight: 58,000 lbs

  Originally the AD-5 Skyraider, the US Air Force began to modify the plane to serve in Vietnam. The Vietnam version of the Skyraider was named the A1-E Skyraider, though they were nicknamed Sandy's because of there Air Force tatical call sign in Vietnam. It was advantageous in Vietnam because of it's ability to carry large bomb loads, take heavy fire from the ground, and fly at low altitudes for long periods of time. It was mainly suited for close support missions. 
 * //Specifications:// **
 * Maximum Speed: 325 mph
 * Cruising Speed:
 * Cost: $414,000

 Cool Videos on Vietnam's Air War:

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