Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. USAF Support of Special Forces in SEA
Abstract
The first Air Commando units arrived in Vietnam in November 1961, and since then the USAF has become an integral component in supplying Special Forces Camps with tactical airpower, airland/airdrop replenishment of supplies and instant guidance, as well as short reaction airpower to ground reconnaissance teams. In its special Seventh Air Force/5th Special Forces (SF) partnership, three primary roles of the U.S. Air Force are recounted. First, when vulnerable Special Forces Camps came under attack, it was USAF firepower that provided the heavy counterblows in their defense. More than one camp owes its continued existence to the quick and devastating reaction of the USAF. Second, Special Forces Camps have been almost entirely dependent upon airlift for their logistical support and this, too, has been a vital mission of the Air Force. Finally, in 1965, the U.S. Air Force began an association with Special Forces ground reconnaissance teams; it has produced some of the most efficient and effective ground missions of the war. The expanding role of Air Force Forward Air Controllers in Special Forces operations--an expansion strongly urged by SF commanders throughout the Republic of Vietnam--is addressed in Chapter V.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 1969
- Accession Number
- ADA486993
Entities
People
- Bert B. Aton
- Kenneth Sams
Organizations
- Pacific Air Forces