Going Downtown: The US Air Force over Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, 1961-75

The US Air Force played a significant role in the wars in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1962 to 1972, including training Vietnamese pilots, attacking the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and conducting major air operations against the north. The Air Force was also involved in secret air wars against Laos and Cambodia. Downtown, by the same authors as The Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club, provides a comprehensive history of the US Air Force's struggle in the skies over Southeast Asia.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The United States Air Force played a significant role in the conflicts that took place in the air over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The involvement of the Air Force in the Southeast Asian Wars commenced in 1962 when crews were dispatched to train Vietnamese pilots. This involvement expanded to include conflict in Laos, culminating in the B-52 bombing of Hanoi in 1972. However, unofficially, Air Force pilots continued to fly combat missions in Laos until the end of 1975.

The missions flown by USAF aircrews during these years in Southeast Asia were diverse and varied. They included attacks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail at night using modified T-28 trainers, as well as operations targeting the central city of Hanoi, known as "Downtown" by the aircrews. These operations were dominated by major air operations against the north, such as Rolling Thunder from 1965 to 1968 and Linebacker I and II in 1972. During Linebacker II, the deployment of the formidable B-52 bombers against Hanoi took place.

These operations were carried out despite a formidable Soviet-inspired air defense system that included anti-aircraft guns and SAM missile sites. Furthermore, the US Air Force was deeply involved in secret air wars against Laos and Cambodia, which extended beyond the scope of the war in Vietnam. It is important to recognize that the Air Force fought a war in Southeast Asia, rather than solely in Vietnam.

To complement the narrative of the US Air Force's involvement in the Vietnam War, Downtown: The Air War Over Southeast Asia, by the same authors, provides a comprehensive account of the Air Force's struggles in the skies over Southeast Asia. This book features a wide range of personal accounts and previously untold stories, bringing together the full story of the US Air Force's involvement in these conflicts.

In conclusion, the United States Air Force played a crucial role in the conflicts that took place in the air over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. The Air Force's involvement began in 1962 and extended until 1972, with diverse and varied missions flown in support of American objectives. These operations were conducted against a formidable Soviet-inspired air defense system and were complemented by secret air wars against Laos and Cambodia. Downtown: The Air War Over Southeast Asia provides a valuable addition to the understanding of the Air Force's role in these conflicts, offering personal accounts and previously untold stories that shed light on the Air Force's struggle in the skies over Southeast Asia.

Weight: 474g
Dimension: 234 x 152 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472848758