Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. USAF Reconnaissance in Southeast Asia (1961-66)
Abstract
Reconnaissance can be defined as the act of observing the enemy for the purpose of obtaining information about him and his activities. In the past, it has been called "the eyes of the commander," but it has become more than that. Reconnaissance now includes not only visual, but also photographic, infra-red, electronic, and communications intelligence, to name the major areas. Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of reconnaissance in Southeast Asia is the flexibility and imagination shown by Americans, civilian and military, in developing new means of gaining intelligence. Some of these methods involved new equipment, but most were an adaptation of existing equipment to new environments. Thus, the Air Force has developed and is continuing to develop, in Southeast Asia, tactics for reconnaissance in counterinsurgency operations in an hostile environment of surface-to-air missiles. The prominence of imagination does not mean that more classic military virtues were ignored. In terms of professionalism, the reconnaissance pilots particularly, and support personnel in general, were probably the best educated and trained the United States has ever sent to war. In dedication, hard work and courage, they have continued the highest traditions of the U.S. Air Force. Before the advent of the airplane, reconnaissance was accomplished by patrolling - the recon platoon or company, the cavalry troop or squadron. The advantages of mobility, speed, and the elevated viewing platform provided by aircraft, have been so great that, today, reconnaissance is almost synonymous with aerial reconnaissance. This study will deal only with aerial reconnaissance and, in the interest of brevity, only with U.S. Air Force reconnaissance. This is not to indicate that the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Army, the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF), and the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) have not played a major role. It merely means this paper is limited to presenting a history of "USAF Reconnaissance in Southeast Asia."
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 25, 1966
- Accession Number
- ADA486464
Entities
People
- Mark E. Smith
Organizations
- Pacific Air Forces