00517325 2-9843-1A UNCLASSIFIED 2437544 09-01-1961 2440069 07-31-1968 2440250 01-28-1969

PACIFIC AIR FORCES

K717.0413-49 V.1 VOL I OF III 18892 K7224 912 978 51 2451550 01-06-2000 REPORT OUTLINES THE EVOLUTION OF THE VIETNAMESE AIR FORCE (VNAF) FORWARD AIR CONTROLLER (FAC) CAPABILITY DURING SEP 61 AND JUL 68. IT DESCRIBES THE GROWTH OF FAC OPERATIONS FROM THE BEGINNING OF ACTIVE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE (USAF) PARTICIPATION IN THE VIETNAMESE CONFLICT THROUGH THE MAJOR EXPANSION PHASE OF THE VNAF AND DISCUSSES DEVELOPMENTS AND PROBLEMS, ALONG WITH THE EMPACT OF THE MAGNIFICATION OF THE USAF EFFORT IN THE REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM (RVN). BARN DOOR OPERATIONS IMPLEMENTED A PLAN WHERE USAF SENT ADVISORS AND EQUIPMENT TO VIETNAM, WHICH WOULD AID ITS STRUGGLE AGAINST THE COMMUNISTS. REGULATION 51-2 DESIGNED TO PRESCRIBE THE PILOT AND OBSERVER QUALIFICATION TRAINING PROCEDURES TO BE ORGANIZED AT OBSERVATION SQUADRONS. REGULATION 51-2 ALSO ESTABLISHED REFRESHER TRAINING, STANDARDIZATION, AND RECORD MAINTENANCE POLICIES. UNITED STATES INTRODUCED ITS OWN JET AIRCRAFT INTO THE VIETNAM CONFLICT. INCREASED UNITED STATES PARTICIPATION CREATED COMPETITION WITH THE VNAF FOR TRANSPORTATION, COMMUNICATIONS FACILITIES, REAL ESTATE, SERVICE FACILITIES, AND SUPPLIES. FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO DECREASED EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VNAF FAC PROGRAM INCLUDED THE CONTINUING BUILDUP OF VNAF, AND THE POLITICAL TURMOIL IN THE NATION; THE EXPANSION OF THE L9IAISON FORCE COMPOUNDED PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE DRAINING OF 0-1 PILOTS AND OBSERVERS; AND THE DECREASE IN EFFECTIVENESS STEMMED FROM A DECISION BY THE VIETNAMESE JOINT GENERAL STAFF. NONE DIRECTORATE, TACTICAL EVALUATION SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS INCLUDE CHARTS. PROJECT CORONA HARVEST DOCUMENT NUMBER 0200386.