Oral+History+Research

Topic- The Air Force in Vietnam Subject- Mike Nelson [great uncle]   In the 1960s when the US entered the Vietnam War, they had the most powerful air force. However in the Vietnam War, the enemy was not clearly defined. This meant that the US had to be more hesitant to bomb using the air force. This proved to be the US’s disadvantage.  The US air force had sent advisors to South Vietnam to train them the South Vietnamese Air Force. The US became more involved and they were then allowed to fly reconnaissance against the Viet Cong as long as one South Vietnamese was on the plane.  The Tonkin Gulf was what set the US on edge. This is the event in which caused the US, including the air force, to get fully involved. When the Viet Cong decided to attack a US Navy Destroyer, the air force was given orders to go on their first bombing raid to destroy the patrol boat bases and oil storage depot. After this event, Viet Cong raids increased which lead to the US air force becoming more involved. This is when the operation Rolling Thunder was created.  During the time Rolling Thunder was enforced, jet aircrafts began to arrive. F-105’s is just one example of a jet that was used. F-105’s were large fighter-bombers; however, they were very limited with their movement. The F-105’s also happen to be what Lieutenant General Michael Nelson, my great uncle, flew for a little while. He flew with the 333 rd  Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 355 th  Tactical Fighter Wing.  [] [] 