Project CHECO Southeast Asia Report. USAF Civic Action in RVN

Abstract

In the initial phase of Seventh Air Force's Civic Action Program, the effort was largely limited to informal, voluntary humanitarian activities, medical aid, and some construction projects. In May 1966, Civic Action became an official part of the Air Force mission. At that time, its meaning and scope were defined, and an organizational structure was established, which was considered second only to combat operations. This new program was aimed at forging a link between the peasant in the village and the central government. Historically, the peasants' loyalties were to their family, their land, and their spiritual world; consequently, they had little feeling of identification with the central government. The effort to win the hearts and minds of the people of South Vietnam was originally a civilian operation under the direction of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). By May 1967, MACV was given the responsibility for central direction of all U.S. civil and military activities in support of the Revolutionary Development in Vietnam. The role of PACAF was largely limited to manning, funding, and securing transportation for the Base Civic Action Officers. Under operational control J2 of MACV, 7AF developed a Civic Action Program comprising three phases: Military Civic Action, Community Relations, and Humanitarian Activities. After the Tet Offensive in early 1968, the Government of Vietnam (RVN) and COMUSMACV responded to the recovery priorities created in its wake. Both agencies shifted Civic Action emphasis to humanitarian and recovery projects and ultimately, in late 1968, devised a more vigorous and ambitious goal--formalized in the Accelerated Pacification Program. This report addresses these major trends and designs for 1968, the manner in which 7AF responded to them, and the general guidelines, plans and problems associated with Seventh Air Force efforts.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 17, 1969
Accession Number
ADA489307

Entities

People

  • A. W. Thompson

Organizations

  • Pacific Air Forces

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Combat Operations
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Employment
  • Fixed Wing Aircraft
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Science
  • National Governments
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychological Operations
  • Psychological Warfare
  • Students
  • Therapy
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Library and Information Science/ Studies, Southeast Asia Studies, Bibliography of Vietnam and Lao Studies.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.
  • Systems Analysis and Design