RIPPLE SALVO… SPEED IS LIFE… but first…
Good Morning: Day FORTY-TWO of a return to 1966 and Operation Rolling Thunder…”the air war with North Vietnam”…
11 APRIL 1966 (NYT)… ON THE HOMEFRONT… a SUNNY Monday… Page 1: “Buddhists Warn Regime in Saigon Civil War is Near,” and the monks assert “tens of thousands will die” unless Ky’s junta resigns. The Buddhists decline to rule out an accord with the Viet Cong if they come to power… The U.S. policy is to mix firmness with concessions…Also page 1: Vic President Humphrey will throw out the first baseball in D.C. where the Senators open the season with Cleveland. In the NBA, Boston leads Philadelphia in the East finals, 3-1, and the St. Louis Hawks lead Lakers 3-2 in the West…Page 2: In the air war, the B-52s pounded targets 100-miles west of Saigon and troop concentrations, infiltration routes, and headquarters areas 75-miles northwest of Danang. Enterprise and Hancock flew 27 missions in bad weather and the Air Force flew 17… Page 3: Republican House Leader Jerry Ford takes a shot at the Democrats accusing them of prolonging the war and undermining the morale of the troops based on a 3x rise in American casualties… Page 4: New York Easter Parade marchers shared 5th Avenue with anti-war demonstrators. Police were on hand to separate the pacifists with the Easter strollers. Pacifist sign: “Fine Clothing in America, Napalm and Death in Vietnam.” A pacifist was quoted: “While you march down the avenue in your new clothes, the clothing is being burned off the backs of men, women and children in Vietnam.”…Page 18: Cesar Chavez and the Grape Strikers were off on a 300-mile, 25 day march to the Capitol to see Governor Brown, who was running for his third term. Chavez claiming representation for 2 million Mexican-Americans and other minorities…
11 APRIL 1966… ROLLING THUNDER…. another bad weather day and light strike plan… no fixed wing losses in SEAsia…
RIPPLE SALVO…. SPEED IS LIFE… Short of action to make your day, your Humble Host digs into his bag of historic missions to recognize a couple of the brave ones in the SUPERSONIC photo recce business. Judge for yourself…
On 22 June 1967 LCDR CHARLES ROBERT BUFFKIN, as the RA-5C pilot, and ENSIGN RODNEY CHARLES ANDERSON, as the Reconnaissance Attack Navigator, of RVAH-12 embarked in USS Constellation, executed an extremely dangerous and successful mission over the port of Haiphong, North Vietnam.
The port area includes two shipyards and extensive warehousing, a naval base, army barracks, a cement plant, a thermal power plant, and a major railroad classification yard. Haiphong is one of the most heavily defended areas in North Vietnam. The entire area is within the envelope of numerous surface-to-air missile sites. Anti-aircraft artillery defenses are formidable, consisting of 37/57 and 85mm emplacements throughout the surrounding area within the urban complex.
The flight of the RA-5C and F-4B escort proceeded to the target area indirectly by decoying as part of a strike group proceeding to a target west of Haiphong. At a point midway between Hai Duong and Haiphong the flight broke right toward Haiphong. Approaching the city from the west at supersonic speeds, they encountered a dense barrage of 57mm and 85mm anti-aircraft artillery fire. The flight passed directly across the city and desired target area at optimum photo recce altitude despite the intense flak. The flight continued across the hostile harbor and coasted out east of the city.
Upon being assigned this vital and dangerous objective area LCDR BUFFKIN and ENSIGN ANDERSON meticulously planned the mission to utilize the best possible coverage of the target area. The ruse of closely following a strike group then turning sharply into the target area was successful and enabled the flight to achieve some degree of surprise. LCDR BUFFKIN and ENSIGN ANDERSON exploited the navigational and reconnaissance systems of the RA-5C to the fullest. Although confronted with an intense37/57mm anti-aircraft artillery barrage the crew steadfastly held to their pre-planned route. In the face of extreme danger LCDR BUFFKIN skillfully and courageously maneuvered his aircraft the minimum amount necessary thereby enhancing his photographic coverage of the area. With the camera configuration for this flight it was important that as little aircraft movement as possible be made. LCDR BUFFKIN displayed great courage in holding a practically wings level flight path through the target area, greatly increasing the quality of the film. ENSIGN ANDERSON, equally cool under fire, flawlessly operated his reconnaissance system and continued to provide his pilot with accurate navigational data throughout the flight.
The results of this flight were exceptional. The large scale, high resolution, enormous area coverage and lack of jinking resulted in high quality photographs that allowed accurate assessment of merchant shipping, in, entering and leaving the harbor; ship repair facilities, rail centers and networks; and a complete update of the air order of battle for the area.
For this flight, LCDR BUFFKIN and ENSIGN ANDERSON were both recommended for the Distinguished Flying Cross… F-4B VF-142 pilot and RIO flying escort, LTJG J.L. ROBERTS, and LTJG W.G. SHERMAN were recommended for Air Medals… oohrah….
I have and will share copies of some of their extraordinary declassified photography on this RTR site in due course.
Administrative note… I am working on adding a set of maps and area photography to the website to assist understanding of the prose of this look back at Operation Rolling Thunder. Please bear with me…
Lest we forget… Bear …………………………. –30– …………………………….