A-1 Skyraider History

“Air defense artillery units have a proud heritage dating back to the dawn of this country 's history when the colonists erected fortifications and emplaced artillery pieces to defend against attack from the sea. Seacoast defense continued to be the primary mission of "foot" artillery units (as opposed to mounted field artillery units) until World War I, when a new dimension in warfare emerged-attack from the air. Through World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam, air defense artillery units served as an indispensable part of the armed forces of the United States.”

(INTRODUCTION) In August 1964, Vietnamese DRV torpedo boats attacked two U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. President London B. Johnson ordered the retaliatory bombing of military targets in North Vietnam. Shortly after the incident, U.S. congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson war-making powers, and U.S. planes began regular bombing raids (Reference http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history ). In Vietnam, the US enjoyed virtual air supremacy. Nevertheless, Air Defense Artillery (ADA) units were able to distinguish themselves and prove their versatility by providing fire support to ground forces. ADA earned more than 450 medals for valor, receiving more than 1000 Purple Hearts, and one Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to SGT Mitchell Stout (Reference http://www.usc.edu/dept-00/dept/armyrotc/branches/air_defense.html ). Despite there being no confirmed aerial engagements, Air Defense Artillery played a vital role in the Vietnam War, and were at times crucial to battle success, proving their versatility, adaptability, flexibility.

On May 25, 1971, Adams, a major, volunteered to fly a lightly armed helicopter mission to rescue three wounded soldiers from a besieged firebase in the Kontum Province, despite the clear weather which would provide clear visibility for the numerous enemy anti-aircraft around the location. Despite fire from

The real turning point for Davis and his black combat airmen came when the 332nd was assigned escort duty for strategic bombers. The Red Tails never lost a bomber to enemy fighters and shot down three of the first jet fighters employed by the Germans. Their truly unique achievement was sinking an enemy destroyer. During the war Davis flew 60 missions and was awarded the Sliver Star, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross for mission leadership.

In Saigon as the situation unfolded, the general of the ARVN asked the US for help. First the US and Vietnamese Air Force were able to airlift in supplies, fresh bodies, and remove the wounded. The AH-1 Cobra were able to stop most of the tank advancement and infantry men allowing the ARVN troops on the ground to continue to defend their positions10. The VNAF, along with the US Air force and US Navy brought in planes to engage and thwart the ability of the VNA/VC advancement. Though this was successful it was found that there was not any form of battle space de-confliction. In this the pilots found themselves not only dodging the Anti-Aircraft Artillery from the VNA/VC, but as well as other aircraft in the fight. Aircraft were seen flying into direct fire from other aircraft and no one was talking to each other. Ground troops were not on the same frequency so they would stumble into the engagement area as well.

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was a single-engine, single-seat, metal fighter plane and ground-attack aircraft that was made by the Americans. The P-40 Warhawk fighters first flew in 1938 and caught the attention of the United States Army Air Corps, who placed the largest fighter plane order it had ever made for fighters for a count of 524 at a cost of US$13 million. This was the earliest serious fighter in WWII and did its job until better fighters came out. It was known as a safe and secure aircraft that was able to fly pilots back home after being shot up in action. Many variants of this plane were later created. In addition, the shark teeth graphics were a big feature on this plane.

Many Airmen Served in battle but the most notable one was World War ll . They served from 1941-1952. The 332nd Fighter group and the 477th Bombardment Group served in the United States Army Air Forces. They flew over 1,500 missions, They had a good attitude of “We Fight”

The first flight occurred in 1903 when the Wright brothers famously took their airplane for a final test flight in December. In the years after this historic flight many people start to see the potential for airplanes in war, transportation, and shipping. Other builders disregarded previous doubt about flying and began to replicate the ideas of the Wright brothers in creating planes with three axes. In addition, the approach of WWI prompted military personnel to pursue uses of airplanes as a war machine. The airplane influenced many aspects of American culture after it’s invention including civilian life, war technology, and individual possibility.

James Harold “Jimmy” Doolittle is best remembered for his accomplishments during World War II. The attack on Japan following the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese was led by Jimmy Doolittle, and was later titled, “The Doolittle Raid.” Even though this was a remarkable accomplishment, most aviators during this time thought the raid would be nothing more than a suicide mission. In order to complete this raid, the United States’ most senior commanders had to select an individual with a vast knowledge in aviation, someone who was willing to push the limits at a time when aviation was still in its infancy. James Harold “Jimmy” Doolittle was exactly the man they needed to accomplish this task. He had been pushing the limits of aircraft

Commitment towards the recovery of isolated personnel has remained a steadfast value in the military throughout the evolution of warfare and supports the stronghold of the Warrior Ethos, “never leave a fallen comrade behind.” The rescue of Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Iceal “Gene” Hambleton is regarded as the “largest, longest, and most complex search and rescue operation” by American Forces during the Vietnam War. On Easter Sunday, April 2 1972, Hambleton was serving on board of a United States Air Force EB-66 aircraft (call sign Bat 21) as a navigator in a flight of 2 aircraft, which was escorting 3 B-52 bombers, when his aircraft was destroyed by a SA-2 surface-to-air missile (SAM). As the sole survivor, Hambleton was able to eject from his

Brigadier General “Billy” Mitchell, the chief of the United States Army Air Service, gave naval aviation a boost after conducting several tactics for bombing ships. One of his major beliefs was that air power would one day shadow over the importance of gunships. In 1921 General

Over the years, America has been involved in numerous conflicts. One of the most controversial has been the Vietnam War. Even though the United States Military failed in its efforts in the war against Vietnam, the military has learned valuable lessons about our forces during the conflict. Anti-Aircraft weapons were used during the Vietnam War, and their capabilities have increased over time to become what is now called Air Defense. Air Defense’s equipment, units, and personnel played a critical role especially during the ambush on Route 9 of the Vietnam War.

In 1965, the United States of America officially enter the war against North Vietnam. After the Gulf of Tonkin incident where North Vietnamese attacked two U.S. ships on August 2nd and 4th, 1964, this event was a chance for U.S. President Lyndon Johnson to give authority for U.S. to enter war in Vietnam. United State involvement in Vietnam War was an approach to seize the communist aggression. A campaign authorized by President Johnson called “Operation Rolling Thunder” which started on February 24th, 1965 is a series of extensive bombing directed towards the North Vietnamese predicted to be eight weeks long until the North Vietnamese surrender to U.S. power. However, this campaign lasted two years longer than expected.

The Loughead Brothers developed their first aircraft in 1913. They successfully flew this aircraft over Alcatraz at a top speed of 63 mph. Their first military aircraft was developed a little too late for deployment in the First World War. That untimely event sent one of the brothers, Malcom Loughead to venture out away from the aircraft industry and left the other brother to go at it alone. So in a since that was the first time this company faced its first major obstacle on the way up the aircraft industry ladder. Over the years, Lockheed was bought and sold and eventually landed with Robert Gross after he purchased it for $40,000 in 1932. Over the next three decades he turned Lockheed into a leader in the aircraft industry. In that time Lockheed experience some great strides in

Around midnight on August 4, 1964 American aircrafts began sixty-four sorties (one plane attacks) over North Vietnamese patrol boat bases and a major oil storage depot. During the sorties more than twenty Vietnamese vessels were destroyed, while the oil depot became an inferno of flame and smoke. The events that took place in the Gulf of Tonkin added to years of tension between the United States and North Vietnam.