The Journey of Flight.pdf - Valkyrie Cadet

Chapter Chapter 5 5 - - - AA
Aviation: A viation: F FFrom
FF
rom the the Cold Cold WW
War W ar to to Desert Desert Desert Storm Storm
Storm
The Navy also used a television-guided
glide bomb. This bomb was called the
Walleye. This was another step toward
“smart” weapons. “Smart” weapons were
preferred because pilots could launch them
far away from the targets and thus stay
away from enemy defensive weapons.
Meanwhile, the war progressed and US
involvement increased. In mid-1966, US
troops launched their first prolonged
offensive aimed at destroying communist
units and bases. Reports coming back to
the United States via television sounded
good as President Johnson trumpeted the
139
The Deadly MiG 21
news.
Unfortunately, what was really happening was that the enemy was running from the conventional
fight and resorting to guerrilla warfare. This way they did not have to fight a superior US force headon.
Instead they used hit-and-run tactics, then disappeared into the dark jungle to hide. This worked
until 1968.
The The The The The TT
Tet TT
et et et et Offensive Offensive Offensive Offensive Offensive
In January 1968, the communists launched a large-scale surprise conventional attack on US and
South Vietnamese forces. Abandoning small guerrilla warfare attacks, the North Vietnamese attacked
during a holiday cease-fire. Simultaneous attacks were carried out all over South Vietnam. Hoping
that the South Vietnamese would give-in, the North Vietnamese attacked 36 of the 44 provincial capitals
in South Vietnam. They attacked 23
airfields, five of the six principle cities
including the capital of South Vietnam,
Saigon. Fighting went block to block in
the cities. Enemy soldiers even entered
the American Embassy in Saigon.
Americans watching on television were
shocked.
Air power did everything expected of
it during the attacks. In fact, with the
enemy now out in the open and not hiding
in the jungles, air power worked even
better. Close air support missions leveled
The F-105F, Thunderchief was used extensively during the Vietnam
War.
enemy troops engaged with US and South