WINGS AND WRENCHES: THE HISTORY OF THE 6 TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON 1967 TO 1969 A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of the Department of History East Carolina University In Partial Fulfillment Of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in History By Arthur R. Halliday July 2010 Abstract WINGS AND WRENCHES: THE HISTORY OF THE 6 TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON 1967 TO 1969 By Arthur R. Halliday July 2010 This thesis examines the history of a United States Air Force fighter squadron created during the Vietnam War. It focuses on the circumstances prior to the squadron’s creation, the selection of what was considered to be an obsolete propeller driven aircraft, the teamwork established between the men who flew the aircraft into war, and those who provided round-the- clock maintenance support seven days a week. The demands of fighting a counter-insurgency war placed unforeseen pressure and unexpected calls for close air support for friendly ground forces engaged with a determined enemy. The study of the 6 th Air Commando Squadron during the Vietnam War is an excellent example of how the American military adapted to a tasking for which it had not planned for. It brings insight into the success of the American individual and the concept of teamwork. By understanding the 6 th Air Commando Squadron and its accomplishments during the Vietnam War, an understanding can be gained on how important teamwork is to success. WINGS AND WRENCHES: THE HISTORY OF THE 6TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON 1967 TO 1969 By Arthur R. Halliday July 2010 APPROVED BY: DIRECTOR OF THESIS: ______________________________________________________ Dr. Michael Palmer COMMITTEE MEMBER: ______________________________________________________ Dr. John Tilley COMMITTEE MEMBER: ______________________________________________________ Dr. Gerald J. Prokopowicz COMMITTEE MEMBER: ______________________________________________________ Dr. Carson Bays CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY: ___________________________________ Dr. Gerald J. Prokopowicz DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL: _________________________________________ Dr. Paul Gemperline TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter One: Introduction 1 Chapter Two: The Douglas Skyraider 7 Chapter Three: Transition From Peace to War 22 Chapter Four: Operation Prairie Fire 46 Chapter Five: What Are Your Intentions? 70 Chapter Six: Mayday! . Mayday! 91 Chapter Seven: Challenges 109 Chapter Eight: Conclusion 132 Bibliography 139 CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION During the 1960s, the Cold War pitted the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact against the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Soviet Union dominated Eastern Europe and influenced the United States to maintain a “Europe-First” military and political strategy. The Europe-first theme was held over from World War II and continued against the threat of Soviet expansion. As the Soviet Union maintained a large military force and developed improved modern fighters and bombers, the United States faced a possible direct challenge in Europe. How to counter this threat led to constant reviews, political decisions, and for the military, improvements of American weapon system capabilities. Concern over growing Soviet military capabilities resulted in the United States’ decision to modernize its air forces with technologically advanced jet-powered aircraft. Improvements in jet propulsion allowed the design and manufacture of more advanced and efficient weapons systems. The higher speed of jet aircraft was believed to offer better combat performance, especially in the interceptor role against the growing fleet of Soviet fighters and bombers. World War II and Korea had dramatically shown the advantages of jet-powered aircraft. The air arms of the United States military (Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy) all requested jet- powered aircraft to meet their needs. In most cases each air branch established specifications for aircraft without consideration of possible needs of the other services. The immediate goal: replace propeller with jet-powered aircraft. Where the Soviet military had superiority in number of weapon systems, the United States depended on technology to offset numbers. However, technology placed an enormous strain on national defense budgets. As new aircraft designs and more powerful engines entered military service, costs associated with development increased dramatically. 1 Air Force senior leaders lobbied Congress for funding to purchase the new Century series fighters, new bombers, and cargo transports, all jet powered. 2 First generation jet fighters, such as the Republic F-84 Thunderjet, North American F-86 Saber, and Northrup F-89 Scorpion, were considered obsolete. They were to be replaced by second generation aircraft—North American F-100 Super Sabers, McDonnell F-101 Voodoos, Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, Lockheed F-104 Star fighters and the Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs. Replacements for the remaining propeller powered Mustang, Superfortress, Dakota, Globemaster and Cargomaster aircraft were in development or under production contract.3 As the United States maintained its focus on Europe and its aircraft modernization program, unfolding events in Southeast Asia began to influence both political and military thinking. The growing concern about possible Communist influence in the western Pacific reignited American concerns dormant since the Korean War. The Pacific theater had been overshadowed by the Europe-first plan, but the success of Communist backed forces raised concerns. With the Korean War and the French defeat in Indo-China, American political leadership beginning with the Eisenhower administration began military assistance to the area. As the United States became involved in Southeast Asia, increased demands were placed on the military. These new demands affected both the Europe-first and jet modernization strategy. 4 1 AF Pamphlet 190-1. Questions & Answers About Your United States Air Force. Published by Order of the Secretary of the Air Force, Jack R. Benson, Colonel, USAF, Director of Administration, dated 15 July 1974, (Hereinafter referred to as AFP 190-1 and page number.), 7. 2 AFP 190-1, 36. 3 AFP 190-1, 12. 4 AFP 190-1, 35. 2 American leaders expressed concerns over growing Communist influence in North Vietnam and guerilla fighting in South Vietnam. They feared that if Communist tactics succeeded in South Vietnam, neighboring Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand could follow. The possible subsequent military basing of a growing Soviet blue-water navy posed a direct threat that the United States could not ignore. It created the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) to organize the growing military involvement in Southeast Asia and gave assistance to South Vietnam in the form of military equipment, training, and, at first, small groups of advisors. The fledgling South Vietnamese Air Force was equipped with retired Navy Grumman Bearcat fighters, North American T-28 Trojan trainers, Curtis C-46 Commando, and Douglas C-47 Skytrain cargo transports, as well as Douglas Skyraiders. However, it became apparent that advisors and equipment alone would not be adequate. After the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson committed American armed forces to the fight. 5 In one Southeast Asian nation, modernization of American military and political needs resulted in a conceptual conflict. The nation was South Vietnam and the demands for counter- insurgency warfare came into conflict with the Air Force’s drive to modernize its aircraft for a potential air war in Europe. Aircraft built to support the Europe-first strategy were designed to intercept enemy air formations, establish total air superiority over the battlefield, and only then provide close air support to friendly forces by engaging enemy assault and tank formations. The primary role was to intercept and eliminate the enemy’s air force. Leadership concentrated on the interceptor role at the expense of the close air support capabilities, for which modern jet- powered aircraft were found to be ill-equipped. Demands from ground forces for close air 5 AFP 190-1, 36. 3 support necessitated that the Air Force provide close air support aircraft or allow the United States Army to re-establish its own air arm. 6 These factors became the foundation for establishing the United States Air Force’s 6th Air Commando Squadron, equipped with propeller aircraft that service leadership was trying to replace. The story of the 6 th Air Commando Squadron during the Vietnam War demonstrated that in the right hands, the seemingly obsolete propeller powered aircraft could successfully prosecute an air campaign against a resolute enemy. The 6 th Air Commando Squadron was created in October 1967 and equipped with the Douglas Skyraider expressly for the counter- insurgency conflict in Southeast Asia. Air operations utilized the Skyraider’s assets: varied ordnance capabilities, tremendous load capacities, pinpoint accuracy, and long endurance. 7 The unit’s success was due as much to the people who became part of the squadron as to its aircraft. The squadron was a self-sustained unit with individuals specifically trained on the Skyraider. 8 The squadron pilots flew and held staff positions responsible for command, intelligence, maintenance, munitions, and supply. Enlisted personnel held administrative, maintenance, and logistic positions. Once established in Southeast Asia, the unit was self supporting, possessing the resources and skills needed to support and maintain offensive air operations in a wartime environment. From