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Airpower Thru the Cold War

Airpower Thru the Cold War. Master Overview. Vietnam I – A Chronology Vietnam – Uses of Airpower Rebuilding the Air and Space Force. Vietnam I Overview. Background General Causes US Involvement – 1955-1964 Gulf of Tonkin – 1964 Build up – 1964-1968 Tet – 1968 Vietnamization

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Airpower Thru the Cold War

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  1. Airpower Thru the Cold War

  2. Master Overview • Vietnam I – A Chronology • Vietnam – Uses of Airpower • Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

  3. Vietnam I Overview • Background • General Causes • US Involvement – 1955-1964 • Gulf of Tonkin – 1964 • Build up – 1964-1968 • Tet – 1968 • Vietnamization • The fall of South Vietnam

  4. The War in Southeast Asia Background • America’s most unpopular war • America’s longest and most expensive war • The best technical war money could buy • America hardly ever lost a tactical battle • A war America did not win

  5. The War in Southeast AsiaBackground • Although referred to as the “Vietnam” War, US Aircraft flew from bases in Thailand, Laos, Guam, and South Vietnam • Troops from Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, and Philippines fought with the U.S. and South Vietnam • China and the Soviet Union heavily supported North Vietnam

  6. The War in Southeast Asia General Causes • A regional power vacuum existed in Southeast after WW II • South Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia were politically unstable • North Vietnam wanted to reunite North and South Vietnam under communist rule • America wanted to prevent the spread of communism, by force if necessary

  7. The French Era – 1940 to 1954 • Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia were originally a French colony -- 19th century • Japanese occupied SEA at start of WW II • Opposed by guerrilla force led by Ho Chi Minh • U.S. backed Ho Chi Minh’s efforts to oust Japan • At end of WW II, Ho declared Vietnam an independent nation • Allies ignored Ho and divided Vietnam at the 16th parallel – Potsdam Conference

  8. The War in Southeast AsiaThe French Era (Cont) • French returned to fill power vacuum after WW II, U.S. supports French, but not happy • Fighting between France and Vietminh began in 1946 • France was defeated at Dien Bien Phu by General Vo Nguyen Giap -- 7 May 1954 • Requested U.S. air support -- nuclear if necessary -- didn’t get it • France withdrew from Indochina--for good

  9. Geneva Accords - July 1954 • Officially ended France-Vietminh struggle • U.S. and South Vietnam didn’t sign Accords • Divided Vietnam at the 17th parallel • Separated by a demilitarized zone (DMZ) • Partition was to be temporary • Elections were planned in 1956 -- didn’t occur • President Diem (South Vietnam) feared Ho Chi Minh of North Vietnam would win

  10. Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO) • Initiated by the U.S. in Sept 1954 to prevent spread of communism -- “Domino Theory” • Member nations were: U.S., Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand Philippines, and Pakistan • Didn’t require participants to support each other with military force • Politically justified U.S. actions in S Vietnam

  11. U.S. Involvement - 1955 to 1964 • U.S. reluctantly moved to fill power vacuum • April 1955--US agrees to advise S Vietnam • Green Berets arrive Oct 1959 -- to train only • 1959 -- North Vietnam increased actions to unify North and South • US increased action to prevent a North victory • Aug 64 -- N Vietnamese gunboats attack 2 U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin

  12. Gulf of Tonkin Resolution Aug ‘64 • Passed by Congress 5 Aug 1964 • Radically altered the War in Southeast Asia • Empowered President Johnson to: • “To take all necessary steps to repel armed attack against US forces” • “To take all necessary steps, including force, to assist S Vietnam and any member of SEATO” • Committed US to fight for S Vietnam Lyndon Baines Johnson was born on Aug. 27, 1908. He was selected by John F. Kennedy as the Vice Presidential running mate, together they won the 1960 Presidential election. He became the 36th president of the United States on the assassination of John F. Kennedy in November 1963. A staunch believer in the use of military force to help achieve the country's foreign policy objectives. Escalated American involvement in the Vietnam War.

  13. US Build-up -- 1965 to 1968 • March 1965 -- US Marines and Army arrive • “Rolling Thunder”bombing campaign begun • By 1969, US troop strength reached 543,000 (500,000 supported the war from other Asian countries and Pacific bases) • US became heavily involved in fighting a guerrilla war-- they were not prepared • 30 Jan ‘68 -- North launched Tet Offensive

  14. Tet Offensive of 1968The Beginning of the End • North attacked 12 U.S. bases and Embassy • Objective -- Shatter the South’s army and cause a civilian revolt -- Neither happened • A tactical failure – but, a huge strategic success • American confidence in war effort plummeted • Opposition to the war increased significantly • After Tet, U.S. objective was to get out, quickly and gracefully

  15. VietnamizationThe U.S. Withdrawal • Nov 1968 - Nixon elected on promise to end the war in Southeast Asia • Nixon’s Vietnamization program was to return the war to the South Vietnamese • U.S. to provide advice, training and material • Returned U.S. and S Vietnam to pre-1965 roles • U.S. forces began withdrawing in June 1969 • U.S. morale dropped / winning no longer a goal

  16. Events Surrounding the Paris Peace Talks • Talks began in 68 but achieved nothing • North Vietnam knew time was on their side • US units continued to withdraw • By 1972, 200,000 US troops had left Vietnam • Mar 72-- North launched its “Easter Offensive” against South Vietnam • Attack repelled by US air power (Linebacker I)

  17. Events Surrounding the Paris Peace Talks (Cont) • Talks resumed following the Easter Offensive • -- again little movement occurred • Late 1972, Nixon ordered massive bombing of North Vietnam (Linebacker II) • Linebacker II forced the North to negotiate in earnest • Peace Accords signed 27 Jan 1973 • Called for US to withdraw all units by Mar 73

  18. The Fall of South Vietnam • Between 1973 and 1975, North continued to build strength in violation of Peace Accords • Nixon preoccupied with the Watergate scandal • US Congress tired of Vietnam and refused to help • Feb 75, North launched the Ho Chi Minh campaign against the South • South easily defeated without US air support • Laos and Cambodia fell quickly thereafter

  19. VIDEOVietnam

  20. Vietnam I Overview • Background • General Causes • US Involvement – 1955-1964 • Gulf of Tonkin – 1964 • Build up – 1964-1968 • Tet – 1968 • Vietnamization • The fall of South Vietnam

  21. Master Overview • Vietnam I – A Chronology • Vietnam – Uses of Airpower • Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

  22. Airpower Thru the Cold War

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