Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
In response to the North Vietnamese’s Easter Offensive into South Vietnam in 1972, President Nixon suspended peace talks on May the 8, and ordered OPERATION LINEBACKER, the renewed bombings of North Vietnam and the aerial mining of its harbors and rivers. When North Vietnam seemed ready to talk peace in October, Nixon directed yet another bombing halt. North Vietnam then balked for two......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
With the majority of U.S. troops out of South Vietnam, the North Vietnamese sensed an opportunity to end the war with a conventional invasion. On March 30, 1972, North Vietnam launched the Easter Offensive—a large, three-pronged drive into South Vietnam using heavy tanks and mobile units. U.S. airpower played an essential role in stopping the attack. The biggest battle occurred during the......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
During the 1960s, the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong enjoyed sanctuaries in Cambodia, crossing the border for attacks into South Vietnam, and then fleeing back across the border to safety. Moreover, the North Vietnamese, with permission of the “neutral” Cambodian government, used Cambodian ports and roads to supply large amounts of materiel for the communist war effort in South Vietnam.......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
Late in January 1968, the communists launched their famous Tet Offensive throughout South Vietnam. They hoped to achieve a dramatic victory that would force South Vietnam and the U.S. to accept defeat. First, they attacked Khe Sanh, a U.S. Marine base in far northwest South Vietnam. Nine days later, they attacked throughout the country, striking numerous installations, cities and airfields......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
At the outbreak of the Korean War, U.S. Air Force airlift capability in the Far East suffered from a lack of numbers and central direction. In August 1950, the situation improved considerably with the arrival of additional airlift units and Maj. Gen. William H. Tunner, who had recent experience running the successful Berlin Airlift. Tunner created Combat Cargo Command to perform all......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
When North Korea invaded, the Air Force had few tactical reconnaissance assets. This created problems in knowing where the enemy was, and what his next move might be. Only one RF-80A reconnaissance squadron and a handful of other types operated in the Far East. The few Air Force reconnaissance and photo development personnel available did their best to track the rapid North Korean advance. In......
Audio by NMUSAF PA | National Museum of the U.S. Air Force | 12.31.1969
In World War II, the division between strategic bombers and tactical aircraft was clear. Long range, multi-engine strategic aircraft bombed factories, key bridges, ports, and power systems far behind enemy lines. Smaller, short-to-medium range tactical aircraft hit targets closer to the front lines. In Korea, this division blurred as the available strategic bomber, the B-29 Superfortress, was......
