Filling a substantial void in our understanding of the history of airpower in Vietnam, this book provides the first comprehensive treatment of the air wars in Vietnam. Most important for understanding the US defeat, Laslie illustrates the perils of a nation building a one-dimensional fighting force capable of supporting only one type of war.
The first comprehensive treatment of the air wars in Vietnam.
Filling a substantial void in our understanding of the history of airpower in Vietnam, this book provides the first comprehensive treatment of the air wars in Vietnam. Brian Laslie traces the complete history of these air wars from the beginning of American involvement until final withdrawal. Detailing the competing roles and actions of the air elements of the United States Army, Navy, and Air Force, the author considers the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of war. He also looks at the air war from the perspective of the North Vietnamese Air Force. Most important for understanding the US defeat, Laslie illustrates the perils of a nation building a one-dimensional fighting force capable of supporting only one type of war. |
Acknowledgments
Abbreviations
Introduction
1 Getting Involved
2 The War in the South: Build-up
3 The War in the South: Close Air Support
4 “To Deter Hanoi . . .”: The War in the North
5 The US Navy’s Air War: An Attack Pilot’s War
6 Strategic Air Power at Bay?
7 Laos, Cambodia, and the War against the Ho Chi Minh Trail
8 The Air-to-Air War
Denouement and Conclusion
Appendix A: JCS 94-Target List
Appendix B: List of Project CHECO Reports
Appendix C: List of Named Aerial Operations during the Vietnam War
Archival Collections
Notes
Bibliography
Index
About the Author