The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Operation Linebacker II - DEC 19th, 2002

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/ops/linebacker-2.htm ^

[SAMWolf]

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Click on the pix

Operation Linebacker II
The Christmas Bombing - 1972

Operation Linebacker II operations were initiated on 18 December 1972 and were directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) to continue until further notice. The primary objective of the bombing operation would be to force the North Vietnamese government to enter into purposeful negotiations concerning a cease-fire agreement. The operation employed air power to its maximum capabilities in an attempt to destroy all major target complexes such as radio stations, railroads, power plants, and airfields located in the Hanoi and Haiphong areas. Unlike previous bombing campaigns, Linebacker II provided the Air Force and U.S. Naval forces with specific objectives and removed many of the restrictions that had previously caused frustration within the Pentagon.

During these operations, Air Force and Navy tactical aircraft and B-52s commenced an around-the-clock bombardment of the North Vietnamese heartland. The B-52s struck Hanoi and Haiphong during hours of darkness with F-111s and Navy tactical aircraft providing diversionary/suppression strikes on airfields and surface-to-air missile sites. Daylight operations were primarily carried out by A-7s and F-4s bombing visually or with long-range navigation (LORAN) techniques, depending upon the weather over the targets. In addition, escort aircraft such as the Air Force EB-66s and Navy EA-6s broadcast electronic jamming signals to confuse the radar-controlled defenses of the North. The Strategic Air Command also provided KC-135s to support the in-flight refueling requirements of the various aircraft participating in Linebacker II operations.

Andersen Air Force Base in Guam was the site of the most massive buildup of air power in history. More than 15,000 people and more than 150 B-52s lined all available space on the flightline. During Operation Linebacker II in December 1972, bombers stationed at Andersen flew 729 sorties in 11 days.

Navy tactical air attack sorties under Linebacker II were centered in the coastal areas around Hanoi and Haiphong. There were 505 Navy sorties in this area during Linebacker II. The following carriers participated in Linebacker II operations: Enterprise, Saratoga, Oriskany, America and Ranger. Aircraft of the Seventh Fleet performed the most extensive aerial mining operation in history, blockading the enemy's main avenues of supply. The reseeding of the mine fields was resumed and concentrated strikes were carried out against surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery sites, enemy army barracks, petroleum storage areas, Haiphong Naval and shipyard areas, and railroad and truck stations.



Between 18 and 22 December the Navy conducted 119 Linebacker II strikes in North Vietnam. The attack effort was concentrated in the Haiphong area. Strikes were conducted against surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery installations, railroads and highways Thanh Hoa Army barracks, the Haiphong Naval Base, petroleum centers and other military related targets.

Until the cease-fire ending US combat operations in Vietnam took effect on 28 January 1973, USS America and the other carriers ranged off the coast of Vietnam, conducting strike operations in support of troops and targeting strategic targets throughout North Vietnam.

On 25 December 1972 a Christmas Day bombing/tactical air attack recess went into effect during which none of the US air services flew sorties. Heavy raids around Hanoi, which resumed the day after the Christmas bombing halt, were eased as NVN showed indications of returning to the conference table.



The impact of the bombing was obvious in the severe damage to the North Vietnamese logistic and war-support capability. By 29 December 1972, the 700 nighttime sorties flown by B-52s and 650 daytime strikes by fighter and attack aircraft persuaded the North Vietnamese government to return to the conference table. Linebacker II formally ended on 27 January 1973.

Bad weather was the main limiting factor on the number of tactical air strikes flown during Linebacker II.
Of 741 planned B-52 sorties, 12 were aborted. The Air Force SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) mission was carried out by F-105, F-4C, and F-4E fighters. CAP (combat air patrol), escort, and chaff dispersal were carried out by numerous types. In addition, US Navy and US Marine aircraft flew a total of 277 night support sorties in A-6, A-7, and F-4 aircraft.

[HiJinx]

You hate math? You? Tell us it isn't so!!!!
So, anyway, do you think you passed it this time?
(Not trying to be mean or rude, just genuinely concerned and curious...the very last class I took to get my BA was College Algebra...I never did figure out when or where the trains from Chicago and Philadelphia met!)
How'd the Perl Scripting go?

[HiJinx]

Y'know, I'm sad about the little girl, too. But I'm not sure it's for the same reasons you're probably thinking.

I think it is a downright tragic shame that a whole generation is growing up with such hatred that they'll fight tanks with rocks. Little girls aren't supposed to be warriors (okay, I'm a chauvinist of sorts). They certainly shouldn't be placing themselves in a position to get whacked by the IDF, or any other military force. And people like Arafat and Saddam, who exhort their people to fight us, are the lowest of the low. I have more respect for pond scum or mud-sucking leeches than that pair of reprobates.

Whew. Deep breath. Okay, I feel better now!

[facedown]

The Rose Garden

Task Force Delta

RTAB Nam Phong, Thailand

Operation Linebacker II, 1972 - 1973

LINK

[Jen]

Dang it HiJinx, now everybody knows that I flunked that stinkin' square-filler math class before! (I'm teasing, I really don't mind.) But I passed that sucker this quarter with the not-so-outstanding grade of 'C', but HOORAY, I don't have to take it ever again!!!

One of the test's word problems was about finding the equation for a radio telescope antenna dish that has a circumference of X and a vertex of Y. I didn't even attempt that one! But I was thinking, Where is RA when I need him? hahahaha

I did well in Perl, but I sure don't want to be a programmer! If I have clients whose websites require some Perl or Java programming, I will sub-contract that part! hahahaha I don't mind DHTML or JavaScript, but Perl and Java -- ick!

[Jen]

PS - I did learn something in my Perl class that was very useful to me. I learned how to modify the data that the browser sends to a server for processing. So... I modified the Subject data in links I created for people to send freepmail to me regarding the Foxhole ping list. Cool, huh? I made two links with different subjects. One subject line is "Remove Me From FReeper Foxhole Ping List" and anyone can click that and send me a blank freepmail to be removed from the ping list. The other link has "Comments" in the subject line, so I know to read that freepmail. It saves me time in updating the ping list if I don't have to open every freepmail from people who just want to be taken off the ping list.

[Jen]

Thanks for sharing those patches. I enjoy seeing them from different units and services and my hubby has thousands in his patch collection. Did you serve in VMGR-152?

[W04Man]

Nice Thread Sam. Thanks for the invite. During Linebacker II, I was a young AF Major in USAF Intell at the Pentagon. I had the privilege of briefing the Chief of Staff on the BDA photos from Linebacker II. If I'm not mistaken, I think it was Gen Jack Ryan (three fingers) at the time. Which I could remember the details, but I can't. You guys did a lot more damage than Jane Fonda gave you credit for, however.

[Jen]

Hello, it's good to see another AF person here. Nice to meet you. I enjoyed visiting your W-04.com site.

[Jen]

I agree with your rant!

[Jen]

Thanks Valin!

1776 Thomas Paine published his 1st "American Crisis" essay, in which he wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls"

'These are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.'

-- Thomas Paine

[facedown]

Did you serve in VMGR-152?

No ma'am, just found the patches at their web site.

[Jen]

It's an interesting site with good pix and I enjoyed the military humor section. Please call me Jen. :-)

[MistyCA]

Good morning, Sam! Thanks for the information about Operation Linebacker. I love those graphics, as always! What is that hanging from the mid portion of those two planes? The B-52's I think. The picture in the first section of your report.

[SAMWolf]

External Bomb Racks.

[firewalk]

Good afternoon & bump....

[comwatch]

Sam....

Great story about Mary Kreigh and her father, Chief Yeoman Albert T. D. Wagner. The dedication of family survivors and veterans from that era seem lost on recent generations. The things young people and mental midgets did to dishonor our military during and after the Viet Nam war left a deep scar on our nation. It's one that gets picked at with each new threat to our not so civilzed world.

Many of us, like Mary, never knew our loved ones. My dad died before I was born, knowing only that I was on my way into life. Such are the wages of war...

Another of my lifelong goals is to burried at sea... the Pacific Ocean seems a fitting place to join my dad. Over the years, our lawmakers continue to make that nearly impossible unless you're willing to be cremated. I'm not.

I had a pact with an old friend who worked at the marina where I berthed several boats over the years. He and his wife would, in effect, have to become body snatchers to honor my request. I spent many happy days and nights off the East End of Catalina in my youth, often gazing out to the horizon with thoughts of my father and his nineteen years of life. That's where I wanted my final resting place to be. My harbor conspirators are gone now too, a lesson in infinate mortality. The plot thins...

Well, maybe not... pinging any of my Sacramento Freepers (farmfriend, scotty1998, Saundra Duffy) who might find me bellie up, just toss me in the Sacramento River and I make my own way to the Pacific. ;)

[MistyCA]

Thank you, Cote. The author does a splendid job of conveying thoughts that many of us may have once we begin to understand what happens in war and note the silence of our heros. yes, indeed....how dare they be judgmental and second guess the experiences of those who bravely bore the burdens of protecting our freedoms.

[MistyCA]

What a wonderful story, Sam! thanks for posting it here.

[MistyCA]

Good morning, Jen! How does it feel to be free for a while???

[MistyCA]

thanks for coming to the Foxhole.