Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. The EC-47 in Southeast Asia
Abstract
Air Force doctrine emphasizes that the most important aspect of tactical air reconnaissance is tactical responsiveness. To achieve this responsiveness, "the time goal of tactical reconnaissance" ideally must be "near instantaneous data sensing, processing, and dissemination to permit rapid command actions whenever necessary." This report explores the potential of a prototype tactical air reconnaissance effort which, since its inception in May 1966, has repeatedly attained the real-time goal of Air Force doctrine. Three EC-47 Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons (TEWS) are conducting a project now called COMBAT COUGAR whose objective is "...day/night, all weather ARDF (Airborne Radio Direction Finding) operations against low-powered enemy operated transmitters in the Republic of Vietnam (RVN), and other permissive areas of Southeast Asia in support of requirements established by COMUSMACV and the Commander, 7AF." The TEWS collection, both of fixes locating enemy transmitters and related intelligence information, is the core of the real-time intelligence available to COMUSMACV and his subordinate commanders. Their prompt reactions to this information by ground maneuver, artillery fire, tactical air, and ARC LIGHT (B-52) strikes, frequently have foiled the enemy's plans and severely hurt his forces. In this account, ARDF has the preponderant role in the sphere of intelligence available to the ground commander in Southeast Asia. Within the limitations required to protect highly sensitive information, this CHECO report surveys the background, operations, and achievements of the TEWS from the arrival of the first RC-47 (now EC-47) at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, in May 1966, until 30 April 1968. Along with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army aviation has the same share of ARDF mission time in support of COMUSMACV. Army aviation conducted ARDF test in RVN in 1961, a year before the first Air Force test. By 1965, 15 Army aircraft exclusively conducted the ARDF operation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 20, 1968
- Accession Number
- ADA485058
Entities
People
- Alfred F. Hurley
Organizations
- Pacific Air Forces