Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. Airlift to Besieged Areas, 7 Apr-31 Aug 72
Abstract
During the 1972 Nguyen Hue Offensive, airpower played the dominant role in frustrating the North Vietnamese (NVN) plans to overrun all of South Vietnam. As a result of United States Air Force (USAF) and South Vietnamese strikes, vital supply routes were cut, massed forces were splintered, and armor and equipment were left in ruins. At times existing USAF tactics were used successfully; in other cases Seventh Air Force had to be innovative and flexible in making adjustments as a result of enemy antiaircraft weapons and tactics. While some traditional airlift tactics and doctrine proved viable throughout the campaign, hostile weaponry compelled some changes in aerial resupply. Yet, airlift aircraft, landing on short fields in besieged areas, encountered situations which paralleled previous experiences. Success required planning, courage, and a highly developed sense of professionalism-all of which were demonstrated by both air and ground crews. At Kontum, for example, the C-130s airlanded adequate supplies to sustain the city. (This technique was occasionally supplemented by airdrop.) Between 14 April and 3 May 1972, the C-130s carried a daily average of over 70,000 gallons of JP-4 jet fuel and aviation gas into the city. On the other hand, aerial resupply of besieged areas using the classic low level Container Delivery System did not function as expected. Highly accurate antiaircraft and small arms ground fire proved costly in terms of men and machines. These weapons made it virtually impossible for the low-flying aircraft to meet ground requirements with even a moderate chance of success at a reasonable cost. When the Air Force first abandoned the low level flights in favor of high-altitude airdrops, it found that the technology available in Southeast Asia was not sufficient to ensure consistent placement of supplies onto the small drop zones.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 07, 1973
- Accession Number
- ADA486989
Entities
People
- Ringenbach
Organizations
- Pacific Air Forces