The United States Air Force (USAF) in Southeast Asia: Development and Employment of Fixed-Wing Gunships 1962-1972 - AC-47, AC-130, AC-119, Commando Hunt, Chase Aircraft

Nonfiction, History, Military, Vietnam War, Asian, Aviation
Cover of the book The United States Air Force (USAF) in Southeast Asia: Development and Employment of Fixed-Wing Gunships 1962-1972 - AC-47, AC-130, AC-119, Commando Hunt, Chase Aircraft by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781311169358
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: July 11, 2015
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781311169358
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: July 11, 2015
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this unique USAF publication traces the gunship's history from initial conception in the early 1960s through deployment and operations to the end of American combat involvement in early 1973.

One of the more striking aspects of the war in Southeast Asia was the adaptation of existing weapons in the American arsenal to the peculiar needs of an unconventional war. Total air superiority presented to the United States great opportunities to support ground operations. Very early some in the Air Force saw the need for a system that could saturate the ground with fire for interdicting enemy reinforcements, for supporting ground troops in contact with the enemy, and for defending isolated hamlets and outposts under attack. Such a weapons system had to be able to hit small, often fleeting targets in difficult terrain, at night, and in bad weather, through thick jungle cover. It had to be flexible and survivable, to linger for a protracted time over targets, and above all it had to possess great firepower. Nothing in the inventory could do all of this, so the Air Force developed the fixed-wing gunship.

Gunship theory—flying an airplane in a pylon turn to aim side-mounted guns at a fixed point on the ground—had been known for years. But it took men of vision and persistence to mate the theory with modern technology, and then sell the idea to higher authorities. Once the concept had been accepted, the resulting family of gunships was designed to meet specific requirements, then modified as requirements changed. The result was one of the most innovative and successful weapons used in the war.

As impressive as was the hardware, the author does not ignore the human element. The gunship program had its share of high-level indecision, production snarls, and equipment failure; but these were overcome by sound management and determination. Sometimes tactics were faulty, even dangerous, and had to be adjusted to the realities of combat. Gunship crews enjoyed a relatively wide latitude in methods of attacking individual targets; not infrequently they found themselves acting as airborne commanders directing the employment of other strike aircraft. Most of the tactical decisions and a large number of key management decisions were made by officers of surprisingly junior rank. The gunship story shows that the individual still makes a difference in modern war, no matter what the dependence on technology.

One of the most instructive aspects of Ballard's volume is the relationship between theory and experience. Theory drove the initial design concept and employment, but experience in combat drove modification of the aircraft and execution of tactics throughout the war. While the evolution of the gunship and the changing character of its use were not always smooth processes, the gunship worked successfully. The goal of meeting mission requirements always remained paramount.

Lt. Col. Ballard interviewed many key participants involved in this story and gathered extensive data relating to this unique weapon. His principal sources include official letters, messages, memoranda, reports, and minutes of meetings. Most of his research was conducted in the Office of Air Force History, the Albert F. Simpson Historical Research Center and Air University Library, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in the records of the Air Staff, and Offices of the Secretary of the Air Force.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this unique USAF publication traces the gunship's history from initial conception in the early 1960s through deployment and operations to the end of American combat involvement in early 1973.

One of the more striking aspects of the war in Southeast Asia was the adaptation of existing weapons in the American arsenal to the peculiar needs of an unconventional war. Total air superiority presented to the United States great opportunities to support ground operations. Very early some in the Air Force saw the need for a system that could saturate the ground with fire for interdicting enemy reinforcements, for supporting ground troops in contact with the enemy, and for defending isolated hamlets and outposts under attack. Such a weapons system had to be able to hit small, often fleeting targets in difficult terrain, at night, and in bad weather, through thick jungle cover. It had to be flexible and survivable, to linger for a protracted time over targets, and above all it had to possess great firepower. Nothing in the inventory could do all of this, so the Air Force developed the fixed-wing gunship.

Gunship theory—flying an airplane in a pylon turn to aim side-mounted guns at a fixed point on the ground—had been known for years. But it took men of vision and persistence to mate the theory with modern technology, and then sell the idea to higher authorities. Once the concept had been accepted, the resulting family of gunships was designed to meet specific requirements, then modified as requirements changed. The result was one of the most innovative and successful weapons used in the war.

As impressive as was the hardware, the author does not ignore the human element. The gunship program had its share of high-level indecision, production snarls, and equipment failure; but these were overcome by sound management and determination. Sometimes tactics were faulty, even dangerous, and had to be adjusted to the realities of combat. Gunship crews enjoyed a relatively wide latitude in methods of attacking individual targets; not infrequently they found themselves acting as airborne commanders directing the employment of other strike aircraft. Most of the tactical decisions and a large number of key management decisions were made by officers of surprisingly junior rank. The gunship story shows that the individual still makes a difference in modern war, no matter what the dependence on technology.

One of the most instructive aspects of Ballard's volume is the relationship between theory and experience. Theory drove the initial design concept and employment, but experience in combat drove modification of the aircraft and execution of tactics throughout the war. While the evolution of the gunship and the changing character of its use were not always smooth processes, the gunship worked successfully. The goal of meeting mission requirements always remained paramount.

Lt. Col. Ballard interviewed many key participants involved in this story and gathered extensive data relating to this unique weapon. His principal sources include official letters, messages, memoranda, reports, and minutes of meetings. Most of his research was conducted in the Office of Air Force History, the Albert F. Simpson Historical Research Center and Air University Library, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., in the records of the Air Staff, and Offices of the Secretary of the Air Force.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book Chronological History of the Air National Guard and its Antecedents, 1908: 2007 - From Pioneer Aviators in Biplanes to Responding to the 9/11 Terror Attacks by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Air Force C-130 Aircraft - Operations Procedures, Aircrew Evaluation Criteria, Aircrew Training Flying Operations by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Mission Command in the Joint Task Force: Port Opening: Provide Clear Commander's Intent, Exercise Disciplined Initiative, Use Mission Orders, Accept Prudent Risk, Building Teams through Mutual Trust by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2017 U.S. Navy Force Structure Assessment (FSA) and the Request for a 355 Ship Navy, Shipbuilding Plans, Aircraft Carriers, Submarines, Nuclear Missiles, Surface Combatants, Destroyers, Trump Goals by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Why is the Colonel Called "Kernal"? The Origin of the Ranks and Rank Insignia Now Used by the United States Armed Forces: Enlisted Ranks, Officers by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Changes in the Arctic: Climate Change and Loss of Arctic Sea Ice, Claims and Sovereignty, Sea Transport, Oil, Gas, Mineral Exploration, Polar Icebreaking, Protected Species and Indigenous People by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Skylab Mission Report: Third Visit - Space Station Mission by Carr, Gibson, Pogue, Mission Activities, Hardware, Anomalies, Science Experiments, Crew Health, EVAs, Comet Kohoutek by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Rapidly Deployable Mobile Security Solutions for the Military: Navy Cyber Policies and Threats, Security, Mobile Devices, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Risk Management, Android Application Program by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Air Force Doctrine Document 6-0: Command and Control - C2 Processes, Planning, Technology, Training, Transfer of Forces and Command Authority by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Guilt-Free War: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and an Ethical Framework for Battlefield Decisions - Moral Injury, Guilt, Shame, Anger, Psychologist and Chaplain, Shell Shock, Combat Fatigue by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Innovation in Carrier Aviation: Aircraft Carrier History, World War I and II, Bureau of Aeronautics (BuAer), Royal Navy and American Navy, Jet Engines, Flexdeck, Catapults, Carrier Aviation Technology by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Borden's Dream: The Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. - World War I, The Gardener, The Kingpin, Mobilization for World War II, Distaff Branch, Training by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NASA Space Technology Report - Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS) 2009: A 14-Day Evaluation of the Space Exploration Vehicle Prototype in a Lunar Analog Environment by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Sharing Success: Owning Failure: Preparing to Command in the Twenty-First Century Air Force by Progressive Management
Cover of the book China's Role in Counter-Piracy Operations: Gulf of Aden (GOA), Southeast Asia, Cooperating with Other Navies, PLAN Modernization, ASEAN Economic Relationship, Somali Piracy, Mahanian Philosophy by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy