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At Easter 1972, North Vietnam invaded the South, and there were almost no US ground troops left to stop it. But air power reinforcements could be rushed to the theater. Operation
Linebacker's objective was to destroy the invading forces from the air and cut North Vietnam's supply routes - and luckily in 1972, American air power was beginning a revolution in both technology and tactics.
Most crucial was the introduction of the first effective laser-guided bombs, but the campaign also involved the fearsome AC-130 gunship and saw the debut of helicopter-mounted TOW missiles. Thanks to the new
Top Gun fighter school, US naval aviators now also had a real advantage over the MiGs.
This is the fascinating story of arguably the world's first "modern" air campaign. It explains how this complex operation - involving tactical aircraft, strategic bombers, close air support and airlift - defeated the invasion. It also explains the shortcomings of the campaign, the contrasting approaches of the USAF and Navy, and the impact that
Linebacker had on modern air warfare.
List of contents
IntroductionChronology
Attackers' Capabilities
Defenders' Capabilities
Campaign Objectives
The Campaign
Analysis and Conclusion
Further ReadingIndex
About the author
Marshall L. Michel III is a native of New Orleans who attended Georgetown and Harvard Universities. He joined the US Air Force in 1966 and from 1970 to 1973 flew 321 combat missions. He was the assistant air attaché at the American embassy in Tel Aviv from 1977 to 1980, when he returned to the United States to fly F-15s at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. He later served as the Israel desk officer for the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon, as a fellow at the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University, and on the NATO staff in Brussels, Belgium. He retired from the Air Force in 1992 and now lives in Biloxi, Mississippi.Adam Tooby is an internationally renowned digital artist and illustrator. His work can be found in publications worldwide and as box art for model aircraft kits. He also runs a successful illustration studio and aviation prints business. He is based in Cheshire, UK. To buy artwork, or contact the artist, visit http://www.adamtooby.com/.Adam Tooby is an internationally renowned digital artist and illustrator. His work can be found in publications worldwide and as box art for model aircraft kits. He also runs a successful illustration studio and aviation prints business. He is based in Cheshire, UK. To buy artwork, or contact the artist, visit http://www.adamtooby.com/.
Summary
Arguably the first 'modern' air campaign, this is the story of Linebacker I which brought laser-guided bombs, electronic warfare and anti-radar missiles to bear on North Vietnam's invading army.
Foreword
Arguably the first 'modern' air campaign, this is the story of Linebacker I which brought laser-guided bombs, electronic warfare and anti-radar missiles to bear on North Vietnam's invading army.
Additional text
A truly excellent title.
