Early Flight to World War I

1
Airpower Thru the Cold War
2
Overview

• Berlin Airlift
• Curtis LeMay
• Korean Conflict
• Cuban Missile Crisis
• Vietnam
• Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

3
The Berlin Airlift OPERATION VITTLES
4
Introduction
On 22 Jun 1948, in an effort to force communism
upon the Germans, the Soviet Union closed all
travel routes, and cut off all water/sewage
systems to Berlin, East Germany. This action
earmarked the first US/Soviet Cold War
Confrontation known as the Berlin Airlift,
nicknamed OPERATION VITTLES
5
Soviet/Allies Outlook

• Soviets intent on security of their borders
• Their borders were invaded several times
  previously
• Soviets suffered millions of casualties
• Allies werent seeking vengeance in Germany
• Allies wanted to revitalize and stabilize economy

6
Zones of Occupation

• Soviets given East Germany to include Berlin
• United States given southwest Germany
• Britain given northwest Germany
• Berlin then divided and Allies, to include
  France, each given a sector inside Berlin itself

7
Blockade

• Soviets refused to supply food
• Soviets allowed three air corridors
• Soviets demanded their currency (money) be
  adopted
• Soviets blockaded road, rail, and waterways
• Soviets cut off all power

8
Allied Response (United States)

• Airlift mission begins
• Backup of airlift through basing of strategic
• nuclear capability in England, (36 B-29s
• deployed)

9
Airlift Begins

• 25 Jun 1948
• C-47 (Skytrain) could fly 2 to 3 tons of cargo
• C-54 (Skymaster) could fly 10 tons of cargo
• 2 million tons of cargo in almost 277,00
  flights

C-47
C-54
10
Results

• Diplomatic weapon
• Technological achievement
• Strength of airpower

11
VIDEOThe Berlin Airlift OPERATION VITTLES
12
Informal Lecture

• 1. What was the basic situation leading up to
  the Soviet blockade of Berlin?

4 zones dividing Berlin basically into east and
west, Russians blockaded Berlin when their
currency was not accepted
13
Informal Lecture

• 2. What actions did the Soviet Union take to
  blockade Berlin?

Soviets blockaded road, rail, and waterways and
cut off all power
Allied aircraft carried 2,343,301.5 tons of
supplies on 277,264 flights. U.S. planes carried
1,783,826 tons.
14
Informal Lecture
3. How did the Western Allies respond to the
Soviet blockade? How did the US add a level of
lethality to their response?
Western Allies responded with an airlift
and B-29s capable of carrying nuclear weapons
were based in England
C-74
15
Informal Lecture
4 After the Berlin Airlift, how was the nature
of the Cold War altered? What did the Berlin
Airlift say about airpower?
U.S. and Soviets became adversaries Proved the
importance of airlift as an integral function of
the Air Force
16
I dont mind being called tough, since I find
in this racket its the tough guys who lead the
survivors.

• Colonel Curtis E. LeMay, USA
• to Lieutenant General Ira Eaker
• in England in 1943

17
General Curtis LeMay

• Navigator on B-17 as Lt in early airpower
  demonstration with ocean liner Rex in 1938
• Commanded units in Berlin Airlift
• Commander in Chief, Strategic Air Command
  (CINCSAC)
• Air Force Chief of Staff

18
LeMays Impact on the Air Force

• More realistic training programs
• Bottom line - Discipline
• Procured personnel and aircraft
• Bombers became airborne nuclear alert
• Nuclear deterrence became a reality

19
VIDEOCurtis LeMay
20
VIDEO Korea
21
Korean Conflict

• National Security Council (NSC) directive 68
  called for massive increase in defense spending
  to contain Communism (April 1950)
• Korea was the first test of American resolve

http//www.fas.org/irp/offdocs/nsc-hst/nsc-68.htm
Korean War Service Medal
22
Beginning of Korean Conflict

• 25 June 1950 North Korea launches a surprise
  attack invading South Korea
• Congress approved use of force to
• repel North Korean
• invasion (no formal
• declaration of war)
• UN Security Council
• authorizes aid
• (Gen Douglas McArthur
• named Commander)

23
Korean Conflict

• UN forces saved at Pusan Perimeter by around the
  clock bombing interdiction
• McArthur launches surprise amphibious assault at
  Inchon
• UN forces drive North Koreans back across 38th
  parallel and attempt to unify the country
• China enters pushing the UN forces back

24
VIDEOAir Power in Korea
25
Air Power in Korean Conflict

• First use of jet fighters on both sides
• MiG-15 outperforms F-80
• MiG-15 retreats back to bases in China
• Airspace south of Yalu known as MiG Alley
• F-86 Sabre proves superior to the MiG-15
• Kill ratio of 10-to-1

26
VIDEOKorea Conclusion
27
Air Power in Korean Conflict

• Contributions of airpower to the Korean conflict
  assisted many mission areas
• Counterland Operations conducted to attain and
  maintain a desired degree of superiority over
  surface operations by the destruction or
  neutralization of enemy surface forces
• Interdiction Operations to divert, disrupt,
  delay or destroy the enemys surface military
  potential before it can be used effectively
  against friendly forces.
• Close-Air Support Operations against hostile
  targets in close proximity to friendly forces

28
Deterrence and Missile Development

• Snark
• Atlas, Titan
• Minuteman becomes the mainstay of SACs missile
  retaliatory force
• NORAD established in 1957
• Single Integrated Operational Plan for using
  nuclear weapons (SIOP)

29
Cuban Missile Crisis

• U-2 Reconnaissance plane details Soviet missile
  launchers in Cuba (Sept 1962)
• US Missile force placed on alert status
• President Kennedy chooses
• option of naval quarantine
• Soviet Union backs down
• and the nuclear crisis was
• subsequently averted
• Doctrine of Flexible
• Response evolves

30
Interim Summary

• Berlin Airlift
• Curtis LeMay
• Korean Conflict
• Cuban Missile conflict

31
Vietnam
32
The War in Southeast Asia Background

• Americas most unpopular war
• Americas longest and most expensive war
  8 years of direct involvement and 15
  in an advisory/lesser capacity
• The best technical war
• money could buy
• America hardly ever
• lost a tactical battle
• A war America
• did not win

33
The War in Southeast Asia Background

• Often called the Vietnam War
• Americans flew from bases in Thailand, Laos,
  Guam, and South Vietnam
• Troops from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand,
  South Korea, and Philippines fought with the US
  and South Vietnam
• China and the Soviet Union heavily supported
  North Vietnam

34
The War in Southeast Asia General Causes

• A regional power vacuum existed in Southeast
  after WW II
• South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia were
  politically unstable
• North Vietnam wanted to reunite North and South
  Vietnam under communist rule
• America wanted to prevent the spread of
  communism, by force if necessary

35
Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Aug 64

• Passed by Congress 5 Aug 1964
• Radically altered the War in Southeast Asia
• Empowered President Johnson to
• To take all necessary steps to repel armed
  attack against US forces
• To take all necessary steps, including force, to
  assist S Vietnam and any member of SEATO
• Committed US to fight for S Vietnam

Lyndon Baines Johnson was born on Aug. 27, 1908.
He was selected by John F. Kennedy as the Vice
Presidential running mate, together they won the
1960 Presidential election. He became the 36th
president of the United States on the
assassination of John F. Kennedy in November
1963. A staunch believer in the use of military
force to help achieve the country's foreign
policy objectives. Escalated American
involvement in the Vietnam War.
36
US Build-up -- 1965 to 1968

• March 1965 -- US Marines and Army arrive
• Rolling Thunderbombing campaign begun
• By 1969, US troop strength reached 543,000
  (500,000 supported the war from other Asian
  countries and Pacific bases)
• US became heavily involved in fighting a
• guerrilla war-- they were not prepared
• 30 Jan 68 -- North launched Tet Offensive

37
Events Surrounding the Paris Peace Talks

• Talks began in 68 but achieved nothing
• North Vietnam knew time was on their side
• US units continued to withdraw
• By 1972, 200,000 US troops had left Vietnam
• Mar 72-- North launched its Easter Offensive
  against South Vietnam
• Attack repelled by US air power (Linebacker I)

38
Events Surrounding the Paris Peace Talks (Cont)

• Talks resumed following the Easter Offensive
• -- again little movement occurred
• Late 1972, Nixon ordered massive bombing of North
  Vietnam (Linebacker II)
• Linebacker II forced the North to negotiate in
  earnest
• Peace Accords signed 27 Jan 1973
• Called for US to withdraw all units by Mar 73

39
The Fall of South Vietnam

• Between 1973 and 1975, North continued to build
  strength in violation of Peace Accords
• Nixon preoccupied with the Watergate scandal
• US Congress tired of Vietnam and refused to help
• Feb 75, North launched the Ho Chi Minh campaign
  against the South
• South easily defeated without US air support
• Laos and Cambodia fell quickly thereafter

40
VIDEOVietnam
41
Uses of Airpower Background

• Vietnam War was primarily a land war
• Most air power used in conjunction with ground
  ops
• North stayed above DMZ, so air superiority over
  the South was never a concern
• In-country operations centered around
  interdiction, close air support, airlift, recon,
  search and rescue, and air refueling

42
Background

• After Gulf of Tonkin, air units built up rapidly
• US Air Force occupied 10 major air bases
• All were built and defended by the Air Force
• Huge logistical effort
• Also flew from 6 bases in Thailand
• Navy flew from carriers in Gulf of Tonkin
• B-52s flew from Guam-- at times even from US

43
Uses of Air PowerDuring Vietnamization

• Train the South Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF)
• Support the South Vietnamese Army
• Forestall suspected enemy attacks against
  withdrawing American units

44
Uses of Air Power Interdiction

• A major mission during SEA war
• Aircraft used F-4 Phantom, F-100 Super Sabre,
  F-105 Thunderchief (Thud), AC-130 Gunships
• Best known interdiction aircraft was the B-52
  a nuclear bomber modified to carry conventional
  weapons
• Arc Light--Name for B-52 interdiction missions

F-100 Supersabre
45
Uses of Air Power Close Air Support

• Missions to support forces of the ground
• Aircraft used A-4 Skyhawk, F-4, F-100, A-37
  Dragonfly, A-1 Skyraider and AC-47 Gunships (Puff
  the Magic Dragon)
• Gunships, cargo aircraft armed with rapid-fire
  machine guns, were very effective
• Forward Air Controllers (FACs) were used to
  locate the enemy and mark targets for faster
  flying jets

A-1 Skyraider
A-4 Skyhawk
46
Uses of Air Power Close Air Support

• B-52 Arc Light aircraft were occasionally used
  for close air support
• B-52 were used extensively in close air support
  at Khe Sanh
• Flew 2,548 sorties and dropped bombs within 300
  yards of of U.S. Marine perimeter
• B-52 credited with saving Khe Sanh and repelling
  the Tet and Easter Offensives

47
Uses of Air Power Tactical Airlift

• Vital to successful US operations because of poor
  security on roads
• Aircraft used UH-1 Hueys, C-7 Caribous,
• C-123 Providers, and C-130 Hercules
• Missions often flown while under attack
• Supplies often air-dropped because of enemy fire
  and poor landing facilities
• A major factor in keeping Khe Sanh alive

C-123 Provider
C-7 Caribou
48
Uses of Air Power Reconnaissance

• Aircraft used RF-4C, RB-57 Canberra, and RB-66
  Destroyers
• Aircraft were equipped with variety of cameras
  and sensing devices
• Missions consisted of locating lucrative targets
  and assessing battle damage
• A valuable part of repelling Tet and protecting
  Khe Sanh

RB 66 Destroyer
RB 57 Canberra
49
Uses of Air Power Search and Rescue

• An extremely important part of the air support
  mission throughout Southeast Asia
• Buttressed aircrew morale -- fliers knew every
  effort would be made to save them if shot down
• Aircraft used HH-3 Jolly Green Giants and HH-53
  Super Jolly Greens
• By73, USAF had rescued 3,883 Americans

50
Uses of Air Power Air to Air Refueling

• Indispensable -- extended the range of combat
  aircraft and enabled many aircraft to return
  safely
• C-130s refueled helicopters, KC-135s refueled
  fixed wing aircraft
• SAC tankers flew 195,000 sorties, unloaded 9
  billion pounds of fuel and took part in 814,000
  individual refuelings

C-130 Refueling
KC-135 Tanker
51
The War in Southeast AsiaAirpower Terms Revisited

• Interdiction - Striking enemy resources close to
  the battlefield
• Close Air Support - Support of ground forces
• Reconnaissance - Collecting visual and
  photographic info
• Counterair - Air-to-air combat
• Strategic Bombing - Strikes deep into enemy
  territory to destroy war making capabilities
• Airlift - Transportation of supplies to positions
  of need
• Air Refueling - Providing fuel to aircraft while
  still in flight
• Search and Rescue - Seeking out downed airmen and
  returning them to friendly territory

52
Major Campaigns Rolling Thunder

• Officially began 2 March 1965
• Objectives
• Interdict the flow of supplies from the North
• Force the North to stop supporting the Vietcong
  and quit the war
• Raise South Vietnamese morale

RF 4 Phantom
53
Rolling Thunder (cont)

• Strategic bombing and interdiction campaign
• Strategic because it was aimed at the Norths
  will to wage war
• Interdiction because the North had few large
  industries and got most of their material from
  China and the Soviet Union
• Employed mostly tactical aircraft -- F-105s, F-4s
  and F-111s -- B-52s used in 66 in the Southern
  part of North Vietnam

F-111
F-105
54
Rolling Thunder Restrictions

• Johnson administration controlled campaign
  tightly
• Restriction imposed by civilians included
• Hanoi, Haiphong, China border -- off limits
• MIG bases and non-firing SAM sites--off limits
• Dams, dikes, hydroelectric plants--off limits
• White House selected targets, weapons and flying
  routes -- with little military input

55
Rolling Thunder

• Graduated increases in bombing intensity worked
  to advantage of North Vietnamese
• Gave them time to recover from damage
• Allowed them to establish the worlds most
  intense antiaircraft defense system
• Provided them the will to fight on and a sense
  they could survive
• By 1965, it became clear that Rolling Thunder
  didnt work

56
Rolling Thunder

• Impacts
• Souths morale improved as the North suffered
  under the bombing
• North used frequent halts and restrictions to
  repair damage and resupply forces in South
• Criticism grew at home and internationally
• Johnson ended Rolling Thunder prior to 1968
  elections
• Campaign, Americas longest, was a failure

57
Major Campaigns Linebacker I

• Easter Offensive (Mar 72) made it apparent the
  North was not willing to negotiate
• Objectives of Linebacker
• Initially a close air support effort to aid
  retreating South Vietnamese forces
• Later, changed to an interdiction campaign
  against North Vietnam
• A systematic campaign with little civilian
  control -- unlike Rolling Thunder

B 52 Stratofortress
58
Linebacker I (cont)

• Civilian casualties were a consideration but
  didnt determine how missions were flown
• Haiphong harbor was mined for the first time to
  restrict in-coming supplies for the North
• Strikes were flown over Hanoi and Haiphong --
  B-52 strikes on Haiphong began April 72
• Smart bombs were used extensively

59
Linebacker I (cont)

• Linebacker I was the most successful US bombing
  campaign of the war
• Had more impact on the North Vietnam in 9 months
  than Rolling Thunder did in 4 years
• Successful largely because Easter Offensive was a
  conventional, mechanized attack
• Peace Talks resumed in July 1972
• Nixon restricted Linebacker I attacks to below
  the 20th parallel

60
Major Campaigns Linebacker II

• Peace Talks stalled again in Dec 72
• Nixon ordered Linebacker II to run concurrently
  with Linebacker I
• Purpose of Linebacker II was to force the North
  Vietnamese to negotiate and sign a peace treaty
• Ran from 18 Dec to 30 Dec 1972 -- referred to as
  the Christmas Campaign

61
Linebacker II (cont)

• Very intense and logistically complex
• Specific targets in Hanoi and Haiphong
• B-52s used for the first time over Hanoi
• By the end of Linebacker II, North Vietnam was
  defenseless
• 1,200 SAMs were fired
• 80 of the Norths electrical
• systems and 25 of their POL
• facilities were destroyed

62
Linebacker II (cont)

• North Vietnam returned to the bargaining table 30
  Dec 72
• All bombing ceased on 15 Jan 73
• Peace treaty was signed on 27 Jan 73
• Linebacker II was a success
• Some believe that if Rolling Thunder had been
  conducted like Linebacker II, the war would have
  ended in 65 -- unlikely

http//www.davka.org/what/theleft/peoplespeacetrea
tyvietnam.html
63
VIDEO Vietnam
64
Interim Summary

• Uses of Airpower
• Rolling Thunder
• Linebacker I
• Linebacker II

Vietnam Service Medal
65
Post Vietnam
66
The Vietnam WarCosts to the US

• 58,135 Americans killed, 153,000 wounded, 2500
  missing in action
• 141 billion spent
• 6.3 million tons of bombs dropped (12 times more
  than Korea, 2 times more than WW II)
• 2,257 aircraft lost (3.1 billion value)
• 5.2 million combat sorties flown

67
The Vietnam War Results

• US reluctance to enter military conflicts that
  dont directly threaten national interests
• Congressional restriction on Presidents ability
  to commit US military forces
• Lessened public opinion of the government and the
  military
• The all-volunteer military force
• Increased emphasis on military resources,
  training and weapons

68
The Vietnam War Results

• U.S. reluctance to enter military conflicts that
  dont directly threaten national interests
• Congressional restriction on Presidents ability
  to commit U.S. military forces
• Lessened public opinion of the government and the
  military
• The all-volunteer military force
• Increased emphasis on military resources,
  training and weapons

69
The Vietnam WarLessons Learned

• U.S. cant win a counterinsurgency war in another
  country--only the people of that country can
• Force and technology are of limited value in a
  peoples war
• Before committing force, national leaders leaders
  must base decisions on realistic assessments

70
More Lessons Learned

• Know your enemy and know yourself
• Graduated Response is an ineffective way to
  employ air power -- reduces surprise, flexibility
  and concentration of force
• In a democracy, congressional and public support
  are critical, and difficult to get
• Modern war is open to public scrutiny
• Let those who understand war conduct it

71
Review of CFD Model

• Distinctive Capabilities Air and space
  expertise, capabilities and technological
  know-how that produces superior military
  capabilities
• Functions Broad, fundamental and continuing
  activities of air and space power
• Doctrine fundamental principles which military
  forces guide their actions in support of national
  objectives

72
Review of Distinctive Capabilities

• Air and Space Superiority   With it, joint
  forces can dominate enemy operations in all
  dimensions -- land, sea, air and space.
• Global Attack  Because of technological
  advances, the Air Force can attack anywhere,
  anytime -- and do so quickly and with greater
  precision than ever before.
• Rapid Global Mobility  Being able to respond
  quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is
  key to maintaining rapid global mobility.
• Precision Engagement  The essence lies in the
  ability to apply selective force against specific
  targets because the nature and variety of future
  contingencies demand both precise and reliable
  use of military power with minimal risk and
  collateral damage.
• Information Superiority  The ability of joint
  force commanders to keep pace with information
  and incorporate it into a campaign plan is
  crucial.
• Agile Combat Support  Deployment and
  sustainment are keys to successful operations and
  cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies
  to all forces, from those permanently based to
  contingency buildups to expeditionary forces.

73
CFD Model
Rapid Global Mobility
Airlift
Strategic Airlift Theater Airlift
Theater attack, Of military targets
Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction
Airlift Reconnaissance Search and
Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack
Air and Space Superiority Precision
Engagement Agile combat support
Air Superiority Precision Engagement Global
Attack Rapid Global Mobility Agile Combat Support
Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction
Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue
Air Refueling Strategic Attack
Strategic attack and nuclear deterrence prior to
Vietnam Shift towards deterrence through strength
and global attack
74
Review of Air and Space Functions

• Strategic Attack
• Counterair
• Counterspace
• Counterland
• Countersea
• Information Operations (IO)
• Combat Support
• Command Control
• Airlift

Air Refueling Spacelift Special
Ops Intelligence Surveillance and
Reconnaissance Combat Search and Rescue
(CSAR) Navigation and Positioning Weather Services
75
CFD Model
Rapid Global Mobility
Airlift
Strategic Airlift Theater Airlift
Theater attack, Of military targets
Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction
Airlift Reconnaissance Search and
Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack
Air and Space Superiority Precision
Engagement Agile combat support
Air Superiority Precision Engagement Global
Attack Rapid Global Mobility Agile Combat Support
Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction
Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue
Air Refueling Strategic Attack
Strategic attack and nuclear deterrence prior to
Vietnam Shift towards deterrence through strength
and global attack
76
Rebuilding for Space
77
Weapon Systems

• Two key fighters developed
• McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
• General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
• Close air support led to A-10 Thunderbolt
• Rockwell B-1B Lancer
• Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS)
• Peacekeeper Missile

78
Second Generation Weapons

• Stealth aircraft
• Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
• Northrop B-2 Spirit
• New airlifter
• McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster
• Boeing/Grumman E-8 Joint STARS
• New, advance fighter
• Lockheed Martin F-22

79
The Exploitation of Space
Although there has not yet been a significant
groundswell to change the name of the junior
service to the United States Aerospace Force, the
resources devoted to space and the benefits
derived from its exploitation make the change
almost certain in the future. Walter J. Boyne
80
Toward the Unknown

• 4 Oct 1957, Russia launches Sputnik
• (the space race begins)
• Discoverer - strictly scientific exploration
• Corona
• Operated by USAF
• The heart of Corona (imagery)

First US spy photo of Russia from space
Corona satellite on Thor-Agena
81
Space Policy

• Gen Thomas White (fourth Chief of Staff) saw
  space as a continuum of our atmosphere
• Eisenhower proposes freedom of space
• Ensured over flight
• Created NASA
• Devoted to peaceful purposes
• Peaceful purposes did embrace defense missions

The United Stares must win and maintain the
capability to control space in order to assure
the progress and pre-eminence of the free
nations. If liberty and freedom are to remain
in the world, the United States and its allies
must be in a position to control space.

Gen Thomas White
82
Making the Unknown Known

• Navigation
• Global Positioning System (GPS)
• Missile Defense Alarm
• Defense Support Program (DSP)
• Space-based Infrared System (SBIRS)
• Communications
• Military Strategic and Tactical Relay (MILSTAR)
• AF Satellite Communications System (AFSATCOM)

83
(No Transcript)
84
Military Operations in the 80s
85
Grenada

• Prime Minister killed in coup in 83 and increased
  influx of Russian/Cuban influence
• US objectives
• Protect US citizens, 1000 medical students
• Neutralize hostile Grenadian/Cuban elements
• Restore the legitimate government
• Operation URGENT FURY
• Army Rangers and 82nd Airborne Division
• Supported by Air Force resources

86
Military Ops in the 80sGrenada

• Lessons Learned
• All services must plan and coordinate
• jointly before the operation occurs
• Applying overwhelming force quickly is
• the key to victory

87
Military Ops in the 80sLibya

• Muammar Qaddafi linked to terrorism and specific
  bombing of disco in Berlin
• Libyan targets struck in Apr 86
• Operation EL DORADO CANYON
• AF F-111s
• Navy and Marine aircraft
• Four of five main targets severely damaged

88
Military Ops in the 80sLibya

• Lessons Learned
• Superb joint coordination
• US able to strike terrorists when targets were
  identified
• That the US was willing to strike terrorist
  targets

89
Military Ops in the 80sPanama

• General Noriega
• Indicted on drug trafficking charges
• US forces harassed in the Canal Zone
• Implied threats to security of the Canal
• Marine Lt killed in an incident
• President Bush ordered Operation
• JUST CAUSE

90
Military Ops in the 80sPanama

• Objectives of Operation JUST CAUSE
• Remove Noriega from power
• Safeguard the Panama Canal
• Restore the democratic government in Panama
• Dec 89 operation began
• AC-130 Spectre gunships used
• First use of F-117
• Noriega surrenders after seeking refuge in
• Vatican embassy

91
Military Ops in the 80sPanama

• Lessons Learned
• Strike quickly with overwhelming force
• using mobility, surprise, and precision
• Army and Marines recognized the need
• for light deployable forces
• Joint coordination had vastly improved
• since Grenada!

92
Summary

• Vietnam
• Rebuilding the Air and Space Force