Notes
Fogbound
[USA] USMC operations of EF-10B Skynight EW aircraft over Vietnam,
1965-1969.
Freedom Train
[USA] Limited bombing offensive against North Vietnam, began on
April 2, 1972.
Game Warden
[USA] USN operations in the Mekong Delta
Giant Cobra
[USA] Detachment of RC-135 tanker aircraft to Tapao, Thailand,
during the Vietnam war.
Giant Dragon
[USA] Detachment of U-2 reconaissance aircraft to South-East Asia.
Harvest Reaper
[USA] Modification programme for the F-111A. 1967.
Hawk Eye
[USA] SigInt missions above Vietnam, flown by EC-47s.
HAWTADS
Fire Fly
[USA] Also known as 'United Effort', see there.
Alamo
[USA] Plans for a last-ditch defense of Tan Son Nuth airport, near
Saigon, during operation 'Frequent Wind' in 1975.
Babylift
[USA] Evacuation of orphans from Vietnam, 1975.
Banish Beach
[USA] Proposed fire bombing of the Ho Chi Minh trail in Vietnam,
using C-130s.
Beef Broth
[USA] Building of a strategical reserve in the USA for TAC units in
Vietnam.
Bee Line
[USA] Upgrading of F-4B Phantom IIs to F-4N in the early 1970s
Belfry Express
[USA] Operations of RPVs from the aircraft carrier USS Ranger,
in 1969
Bell Tone
[USA] Transfer of F-100s to Bangkok, Thailand. 16 April 1961.
Big Belly
[USA] Program to modify the B-52 to carry increased conventional bomb
loads.
Big Crow
[USA] NKC-135A program to test the vulnerability of aircraft to
missiles.
Big Eye
[USA] Detachment of EC-121 AEW aircraft to Taiwan during the Vietnam
war, in support of 'Rolling Thunder'.
Big Safari
[USA] Modification program of the Ryan Firebee target drone to create
the Firefly recce drone
Big Team
[USA] The program for the RC-135B and RC-135C.
Black Crow
[USA] This equipment detects the ignition systems of piston engines.
Fitted to AC-130 gunships.
Black Shield
[USA] Operations of the Lockheed A-12 (precursor of the SR-71) from
Kadena, Japan.
Black Spot
[USA] Sensor package fitted to the NC-123.
Blue Bird
[USA] Boeing RC-135C, ELINT aircraft
Blue Springs
[USA] The 4080th SRW unit, equipped with Ryan 147 (AQM-34) recce
drones and DC-130 drone control aircraft.
Bolo
[USA] Operation in Vietnam, 2 January 1967, that ended with the
shooting down of seven MiG-21s by F-4s.
Bookie Escort
[USA] Air cover for transport aircraft on resupply missions.
Box Top
[USA] Reconaissance missions over South-East Asia, flown by RB-47
aircraft
Brazo
[USA] Project to develop an anti-radar version of the Sparrow
missile. 1972.
Briar Patch
[USA] Boeing KC-135R, ELINT aircraft
Brown Cradle
[USA] Electronic warfare system, a version for TAC of the 'Blue
Cradle' system used by SAC. Installed in B-66s.
Buffalo Hunter
[USA] Ryan AQM-34L or M for low-altitude reconaissance.
Bullet Shot
[USA] Transfer of additional B-52s to South-East Asia, late 1972.
Iron Age
[USA] Deployment of USAF C-119 transport aircraft to the
Philippines, ready to support French operations in Indochina. The
aircraft were painted with French markings.
Iron Hand
[USA] Early 'Wild Weasel' missions over Vietnam, 1965.
Iron Lung
[USA] Boeing KC-135R and RC-135M, ELINT aircraft.
Jumping Jack
[USA] Emergy group of aircraft tankers, in support of B-52 bombers
returning from attacks on North-Vietnam.
Jungle Jim
[USA] See "Farm Gate".
King Cobra
[USA] Detachment of RC-135 tanker aircraft to Takhli AB, Thailand,
during the Vietnam war.
Kit Carson
[USA] Ex-NVA or Viet Cong people, serving as scouts for the USA /
South Vietnamese forces.
Lam Son 719
[South Vietnam/USA] South-Vietnamese operations in Laos. 8 Februari
to 9 April 1971.
LARA
[USA] Light Armed Reconaissance Aircraft. Requirement filled in
by the Rockwell OV-10 Bronco.
Lightning Bug
[USA] Ryan 147B recconaissance drone, used to investigate the guidance
systems of SAMs --- see 'United Effort'.
Linebacker I
[USA] Bombardment offensive in Vietnam, 8 May -- 22 October 1972.
Linebacker II
[USA] Bomber offensive in Vietnam, 18-30 December 1972.
Lisa Ann
[USA] Boeing RC-135E, with SLAR.
Litter Bug
[USA] Operations of AQM-34H RPVs in South-East Asia. They dropped
leaflets... Unofficially, the program was labeled 'Bullshit Bomber'.
Little Brother
[USA] Intended gunship version of the Cessna 337. Abandoned.
Lucky Dragon
[USA] Operations of U-2 recconaissance aircraft from Bien Hoa,
Vietnam, 1964.
M
[USA] Code applied to designations for armament
systems and equipment, used by the US Army.
M1 Cluster bomb
M2 Browning .30 or .50 machine gun
M3 Browning .50 machine gun
M5 40mm grenade launcher
M6 The M6 combined four M60s with six 70mm rockets.
M8 MDD Grenade launcher
M12 Incendiary cluster bomb
M13 Incendiary cluster bomb
M16 Combination of the M60 guns and two M158 rocket launchers.
M17 Incendiary cluster bomb
M19 Incendiary cluster bomb
M20 Incendiary cluster bomb
M21 Incendiary cluster bomb
M21 Emerson M21 armament system for helicopters; two M134 and two
M158.
M22 Incendiary cluster bomb
M24 20mm cannon.
M26 Cluster fragmentation bomb
M27 McDonnell Douglas M27, a nose turret for helicopters with a
single M134 gun or M8 grenada launcher, interchangeable.
M28 Emerson gun turret for helicopters with one M134 and one M129.
M28 Cluster fragmentation bomb
M30 Cluster adapter
M30A1 45.4 kg General Purpose bomb
M31 20mm cannon
M31 Incendiary cluster bomb
M32 Gas cluster bomb
M35 Installation of the M195 in helicopters.
M35 Incendiary cluster bomb
M36 Incendiary cluster bomb
M38A2 45.4 kg Practice bomb
M39 Pontiac M39, a 20mm revolver cannon, copy of the WWII German
MG213 gun.
M40A1 10.4 kg Fragmentation bomb
M41A 9.1 kg Fragmentation/ shaped-charge bomb M43 Gas cluster bomb
M44 Gas generator
M47 45.4 kg Incendiary / Smoke bomb
M50 1.81 kg Thermite, incendiary bomb
M52 454 kg Armour-piercing bomb
M56 1814 kg Blast bomb
M57 113 kg General Purpose bomb
M58 227 kg Semi-armour piercing bomb
M59 454 kg Semi-armour piercing bomb
M60 7.62mm aicraft gun.
M61 General Electric 20mm 'Vulcan' aircraft gun.
M64 227 kg General Purpose bomb
M65 454 kg General Purpose bomb
M65 Airborne TOW system.
M66 907 kg General Purpose bomb
M69 2.7 kg Incendiary bomb
M70 52.2 kg Mustard gas / gel bomb
M74 4.5 kg Incendiary bomb
M76 227 kg Incendiary bomb
M78 227 or 454 kg Gas bomb
M81 117.9 kg Fragmentation bomb
M82 40.8 kg Fragmentation bomb
M83 1.81 kg Fragmentation bomb
M86 54.4 kg Fragmentation bomb
M88 99.8 kg Fragmentation bomb
M103 907 kg Semi-armour piercing bomb
M104 45.4 kg Leaflet bomb
M105 227 kg Leaflet bomb
M109 5443 kg General Purpose bomb
M110 9979 kg General Purpose bomb
M112 Flare, used for aerial photography.
M113 56.7 kg Gas bomb
M116 340 kg Napalm bomb
M117 340 kg General Purpose bomb
M118 1361 kg General Purpose, low-drag bomb
M121 4536 kg General Purpose bomb
M124 113 kg Practice bomb
M125 4.54 kg Gas bomb
M126 1.81 kg Incendiary bomb
M129 340 kg Leaflet bomb
M129 MDD 40mm grenade launcher
M134 General Electric 7.62mm 'Minigun'
M138 Gas-filled bomblet
M156 Flexible gun mount.
M157 Rocket pod
M158 Pod with seven 70mm rockets.
M185 Flare, used for aerial photography.
M188 G.E. Development of the M61 Vulcan; a three-barrel 30mm gun.
M195 Derivation of the M61 for use in helicopters.
M197 General Electric 20mm, three-barrel gun.
M200 19 rocket pod, probably 70mm.
M203 40mm rocket launcher, attached to M16.
M214 General Electric 5.56mm gun.
M230 McDonnell Douglas 'Chain Gun', a 30mm single-barrel gun.
M247 Shaped-charge warhead for 70mm rockets
M255 Flechette warhead for 70mm rockets
M261 Subminution warhead for 70mm rockets
M262 Illumination warhead for 70mm rockets
M264 Smoke screen warhead for 70mm rockets
M439 Fuze.
MACV
[USA] Military Assisstance Command in Vietnam
Madge
Microwave Aircraft Digital Guidance Equipment. A landing-aid
Market Time
[USA] Patrol sorties flown over the Vietnamese coast and Cambodja,
against light coastal vessels.
MARS
Mid-Air Recovery / Retrieval System
Mobile Zebra
[USA] Deployment of a large number of aicraft to the Philippines.
1957.
Moon Glow
[USA] Alert in Vietnam, 1961.
Mud River
[USA] Operations in Laos against the Ho Chi Minh Trail. 1967.
Mule Train
[USA] Deployment of 346th TCS to Vietnam. 1961.
Muscle Shoals
[USA] Operations in Laos against the Ho Chi Minh Trail. 1967.
New Life
[USA] Transport of Vietname refugees to the USA, 1975.
Olympic Torch
[USA] U-2 surveillance missions from Osan AFB, South Korea. In
support of 'Linebacker'.
PAT/ARM
[USA] Passive Angle Tracking / Anti-Radation Missile system, fitted
to some A-6B Intruders for operations against SAM-sites in Vietnam.
It was intended to improve the accuracy of the AGM-87A ARM.
Pave Arm
[USA] Programme to create missiles that homed on the emissions of
aircraft. See also Brazo. Cancelled.
Pave Arrow
[USA] Two F-4Ds were modified to locate heat sources on the ground,
using modified AIM-9 seekers.
Pave Claw
[USA] The GPU-5/A 30mm gun pod.The gun is the GAU-13/A, a
four-barrelled version of the GAU-8 'Avenger' of the A-10.
Pave Coin
[USA] Development programme for a low-cost, high-performance close
support aircraft, undertaken during the Vietnam war.
Pave Cricket
[USA] ECM RPV, based on 'Pave Tiger'.
Pave Eagle
[USA] Beech QU-22 Bonanza unmanned drone, used as signal relay
aircraft.
Pave Fire
[USA] Pod with a low-light level television camera and a laser ranger,
to be used in night attacks. Unsuccessfull.
Pave Gat
[USA] Martin B-57G night attack aircraft equipped with a triple-barrel
20mm gun.
Pave Knife
[USA] Guidance pod for laser-guided bombs. AN/AVQ-10.
Pave Light
[USA] AN/AVQ-9 laser designator.
Pave Low
[USA] The Sikorsky MH-53 special operations helicopter.
Pave Mover
[USA] A side-looking radar for targeting missiles to enemy forces.
Pave Nail
[USA] Modification of the OV-10 for night precision attacks.
Pave Onyx
[USA] Tactical electronic reconnaissance sensor. Litton AN/ALQ-125
Terec.
Pave Pat II
[USA] BLU-76 Fuel-Air Explosive subminution bomb.
Pave Penny
[USA] Laser designation system for missiles, also known as TISL.
Pave Phantom
[USA] Modification of the F-4D Phantom II with AN/ARN-92 LORAN
navigation equipment. Phantoms equipped with this were primarily
used for the dropping of sensors.
Pave Pronto
[USA] Pave Pronto was the AC-130A gunship version of the
C-130 Hercules. Pave Pronto II was the AC-130H.
Pave Spectre
[USA] AC-130 gunship. I: A-C130E, II: AC-130H, III: AC-130U.
Pave Spike
[USA] AN/AVQ-23 or AN/ASQ-152(V) laser designation system.
Pave Spot
[USA] Equipment for the coordination of air strikes, installed in OV-10
'Pave Nail' aircraft. AN/AVQ-12 laser designator, stabilised sight,
and LORAN navigation equipment.
Pave Storm
[USA] KMU-421/B guidance unit, a member of the Paveway family. Fitted
to cluster bombs.
Pave Strike
[USA] Defence suppression programme. EW equipment and precision
munitions were added to a number of aircraft.
Pave Sword
[USA] AN/AVQ-11 precision attack sensor. A modified AIM-9 seeker
head, used to track the targets designated by the AN/AVQ-12 Pave Spot
laser designator.
Pave Tack
[USA] Precision bombing system with laser designation, AN/AVQ-26.
Pave Tiger
[USA] Small RPV, CQM-121.
Pierce Arrow
[USA] Strike at North Vietnamese torpedo boat bases, as a retaliation
for the so-called 'Tonkin Gulf Incident'. 1964.
Pierce Arrow
[USA] Strike at North Vietnamese torpedo boat bases, as a retaliation
for the so-called 'Tonkin Gulf Incident'. 1964.
Port Bow
[USA] Detachment of USAF aircraft to Taiwan after the 'Pueblo'
incident
Prairie Fire
[USA] Reconaissance missions in Vietnam, north of the 17th degree.
Project Buster
[USA] Attempt during the Korean War to develop a 'radar-busting'
aircraft, based on the RB-26 Invader.
Project Gunboat
[USA] Development program for the gunship version of the C-130.
Project Hot Shot
[USA] The development of the AIM-7 Sparrow AAM.
Project Look Alike
[USA] Modification programme to bring all F-105D's to F-105D-25-RE$
standard and increase their capability. 1964.
Project Optimize
[USA] Modification programma to the F-105 to cure some problems. 1960.
Project Tailchaser
[USA] Investigation into the application of sideward-spointing
armament. Created the first AC-47 gunships.
Project Vulcan
[USA] Gun development program that produced the M61 Vulcan cannon.
Began in 1946.
Red Crown
[USA] Radar station aboard a ship in the Tonkin Gulf, during the
Vietnam war.
Red Haze
[USA] AN/UAS-4 infrared surveillance equipment, carried by the
OV-1C.
Red Horse
[USA] Rapid Engineer Deployment, Heavy Operational Repair Squadron
Rivet Amber
[USA] Boeing RC-135E, ELINT aircraft
Rivet Ball
[USA] Boeing RC-135S, ELINT aircraft.
Rivet Brass
[USA] Boeing RC-135, TELINT aircraft.
Rivet Card
[USA] Boeing RC-135M, SIGINT aircraft.
Rivet Joint
[USA] Boeing RC-135V and RC-135W, SIGINT aircraft.
Rivet Quick
[USA] Boeing RC-135M, SIGINT aircraft.
Rivet Rider
[USA] Psychological warfare version of the C-130 Hercules. EC-103E
Rivet Top
[USA] The EC-121M, an upgraded version of the EC-121 AEW aircraft.
ROMAD
[USA] Radio Operator, Maintainer and Driver. Accompanied FAC
officers in the field.
Sandbag
[USA] (unofficial) Vietnamese pseudo-trainee, often non-flying
personnel, accompanying US pilots on combat missions, because the
US presence in Vietnam was at the time restricted to a 'training'
mission. 1964.
Saw Buck
[USA] Deployment of TAC units to Vietnam. 1962.
Seamore
[USA] Southeast Asia Mohawk Requirement. An upgrade for the OV-1
Mohawk, during the Vietnam war, to improve its sensor systems.
Senior Bowl
[USA] The D-21 high-speed drone, carried by the M-12, a special
version of the A-12, itself the CIA precursor of the SR-71.
Shu Fly
[USA] Deployment of USMC helicopters to Vietnam, 1962.
Skoshi Tiger
[USA] Program to test the F-5A Tiger under combat condition in
Vietnam.
Surprise Package
[USA] The AC-130A, a version of the C-130 armed with two 20mm
Vulcan guns and a 40mm Bofors. One built, later AC-130As were
of 'Pave Pronto' configuration.
SUU
[USA] Suspended Underwing Unit. A subminutions dispenser or gun pod.
SUU-7Subminution dispenser
SUU-10Subminution dispener
SUU-11Pod with the GAU-2 Minigun
SUU-13Subminution dispenser
SUU-14Subminution dispenser
SUU-16Pod with the M61 Vulcan gun.
SUU-23Pod with the M61 Vulcan gun.
SUU-28Subminution dispenser
SUU-30Subminution dispenser
SUU-31Subminution dispenser
SUU-36Subminution dispenser
SUU-38Subminution dispenser
SUU-50Subminution dispenser
SUU-51Subminution dispenser
SUU-54Subminution dispenser
SUU-58Subminution dispenser
Swivel Chair
[USA] Deployment of C-119s of the USAF to French Indochina, flown
by American pilots of Civil Air Transport.
Talon Vise
[USA] Renamed 'Frequent Wind'. See there.
Thunderstick II
[USA] Modification of the F-105D with a new nav/attack system in a
dorsal spine.
Tiger Claw
[USA] Detachment of RC-135 tanker aircraft to Korat, Thailand,
during the Vietnam war.
Tiger Cub
[USA] Detachment of RC-135 tanker aircraft to Don Muang, Thailand,
during the Vietnam war.
Trail Dust
[USA] Escort missions for C-123 'Ranch Hand' defoliation aircraft.
Trojan Horse
[USA] Detachment of U-2 reconaissance aircraft to Vietnam.
Tropic Moon III
[USA] The B-57G interdiction aircraft, equipped with infrared
and low light level sensors.
United Effort
[USA] Program to gather data on the SA-2 Guideline SAM missile, by
making them fire on unmanned recconaissance drones. ELINT aircraft
wre then able to gather the required information.
[USA] USN attack squadron
VA-12 'Clinchers'
VA-14 'Tophatters'
VA-15 'Valions'
VA-27 'Royal Maces'
VA-34 'Blue Blasters'
VA-35 'Black Panthers'
VA-36 'Roadrunners'
VA-42 'Green Pawns'
VA-52 'Knight Riders'
VA-55 'Warhorses'
VA-65 'Tigers'
VA-66 'Waldomen'
VA-75 'Sunday Punchers'
VA-82 'Marauders'
VA-85 'Black Falcons'
VA-85 'Buckeyes'
VA-86 'Sidewinders'
VA-87 'Golden Warriors'
VA-95 'Skyknights'
VA-95 'Green Lizards'
VA-97 'Warhawks'
VA-115 'Arabs'
VA-115 'Eagles'
VA-123 'Professionals'
VA-128 'Golden Intruders'
VA-145 'Swordsmen'
VA-155 'Silver Foxes'
VA-165 'Boomers'
VA-182 'Golden Intruders'
VA-185 'Nighthawks'
VA-176 'Thunderbolts'
VA-196 'Main Battery'
VA-205 'Green Falcons'
VA-304 'Firebirds'
VAQ
[USA] USN tactical electronic warfare squadron
VAQ-33 'Firebirds'
VAQ-34 'Flashbacks'
VAQ-130 'Zappers'
VAQ-132 'Scorpions'
VAQ-134 'Garudas'
VAQ-137 'Rooks'
VAQ-209 'Star Warriors'
VAQ-309 'Axemen'
VAW
[USA] USN airborne early warning squadron.
VAW-88 'Cottonpickers'
VAW-114 'Hormel Hawgs'
VAW-125 'Tigertails'
VAW-126 'Seahawks'
VAW-127 'Seabats'
[USA] USN Fighter Squadron
VF-1 'Wolf Pack'
VF-2 'Flying Chiefs' (WWII)
VF-2 'Bounty Hunters'
VF-5 'Red Rippers' (1930s)
VF-10 'Grim Reapers'
VF-14 'Tophatters'
VF-21 'Freelancers'
VF-31 'Sluggers'
VF-32 'Swordsmen'
VF-42 'Green Pawns'
VF-43 'Challengers'
VF-45 'Blackbirds'
VF-51 'Screaming Eagles'
VF-53 'Blue Knights'
VF-74 'Be-Devilers'
VF-84 'Jolly Rogers'
VF-101 'Grim Reapers'
VF-103 'Tomcatters'
VF-103 'Sluggers'
VF-111 'Sundowners'
VF-124 'Moonshiners'
VF-126 'Bandits'
VF-142 'Ghost Riders'
VF-143 'Pukin' Dogs'
VF-202 'Superheats'
VF-211 'Checkmates'
VF-301 'Devial Disciples'
VF-302 'Stallions'
VF-513 'Red Rippers'
VFA
[USA] Fighter-Attack squadron of the US Navy.
VFA-15 'Valions'
VFA-22 'Fighting Redcocks'
VFA-25 'Fist of the Fleet'
VFA-27 'Chargers'
VFA-37 'Bulls'
VFA-81 'Sunliners'
VFA-82 'Marauders'
VFA-83 'Rampagers'
VFA-86 'Sidewinders'
VFA-87 'Golden Warriors'
VFA-94 'Nighty Strikes'
VFA-97 'Warhawks'
VFA-105 'Gunslingers'
VFA-106 'Gladiators'
VFA-113 'Stingers'
VFA-125 'Rough Riders'
VFA-127 'Cylons'
VFA-127 'The Desert Bogeys'
VFA-131 'Wildcats'
VFA-132 'Privateers'
VFA-136 'Knight Hawks'
VFA-137 'Kestrels'
VFA-146 'Blue Diamonds'
VFA-147 'Argonauts'
VFA-151 'Vigilantes'
VFA-131 'Wildcats'
VFA-132 'Privateers'
VFA-192 'World Famous Golden Dragons'
VFA-195 'Dambusters'
VFA-203 'Blue Dolphins'
VFA-204 'River Rattlers'
VFA-303 'Golden Hawks'
VFA-305 'Lobos'
VMA
[USA] USMC attack squadron
VMA-224 'Bengals'
VMA-231 'Ace of Spades'
VMA-242 'Batmen'
VMA-322 'Polka Dots'
VMA-331 'Bumblebees'
VMA-513 'Flying Nightmares'
VMA-533 'Hawks'
VMA-542 'Flying Tigers'
VMAQ
[USA] USMC attack and electronic warfare squadron.
VMAQ-2 'Playboys'
VMAQ-4 'Seahawks'
VMF
[USA] USMC Fighter Squadron
VMF-111 'Devil Dogs'
VMF-112 'Wolf Pack'
VMF-115 'Silver Eagles'
VMF-214 'Blacksheep'
VMF-215 'Fighting Corsairs'
VMF-221 'Flying Falcons'
VMF-222 'Flying Duces'
VMF-311 'Hell's Belles'
VMF-321 'Hell's Angels'
VMF-323 'Death Rattlers'
VMF-441 'Black Jacks'
VMF-513 'The Flying Nightmares'
VMF-542 'Bengals'
VMFA
[USA] Fighter-Attack squadron of the USMC.
VMFA-115 'Silver Eagles'
VMFA(AW)-121 'Green Knights'
VMFA-122 'Crusaders'
VMFA-134 'Hawks'
VMFA-142 'Flying Gators'
VMFA-212 'Lancers'
VMFA(AW)-225 'Vagabonds'
VMFA-232 'Red Devils'
VMFA-235 'Death Angels'
VMFA(AW)-242 'Batmen'
VMFA-251 'Thunderbolts'
VMFA-312 'Checkertails'
VMFA-314 'Black Knights'
VMFA-323 'Death Rattlers'
VMFA-333 'Shamrocks'
VMFA-451 'Warlords'
VMFA-531 'Grey Ghosts'
VMO
[USA] USMC observation squadron
VMO-1 'Yazoo'
VMO-2 'Hostage'
VMO-6'Tomcats'
Vulcan
[USA] The 20mm M61 gatling gun, standard armament for US fighter
aircraft and also used in a variety of other land-based, sea-
based and land-based applications.
Water Pump
[USA] Combat missions flown by USAF pilots in Laos, in 1964.
Wild Weasel
[USA] Generic designation applied to aircraft specialized in
anti-radar and anti-SAM operations. Wild Weasel 1 was a modified
F-100. Wild Weasel 1A, 2 and 3 were F-105's. Wild Weasel 4 was
a F-4 version.
Yankee Team
[USA] Detachment of RC-135 tankers to Clark AFB, Philippines, in
1964.
Young Tiger
[USA] Operations of RC-135 tanker aircraft during the Vietnam war,
in support of the tactical air forces.