Going Downtown

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This vivid narrative history recounts the US Air Force's extensive involvement in the air wars over Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Beginning in 1962 with training missions for Vietnamese pilots, the Air Force's engagement evolved through various conflicts, culminating in the B-52 bombing of Hanoi in 1972, although some pilots continued unofficial combat operations in Laos until 1975. The missions varied significantly, from nighttime attacks on the Ho Chi Minh Trail using modified T-28 trainers to high-stakes operations targeting Hanoi, known as “Downtown.” Major air campaigns included Rolling Thunder from 1965 to 1968 and Linebacker I and II in 1972, with the latter showcasing the formidable B-52 bombers against North Vietnam's capital. These operations faced a robust Soviet-inspired air defense system, complete with anti-aircraft guns and SAM missile sites. Additionally, the Air Force conducted secret operations in Laos and Cambodia, highlighting the broader Southeast Asian conflict. This work complements the author's previous account of the US Navy's role in the Vietnam War, offering a comprehensive view of the Air Force's challenges and experiences through a collection of personal accounts and previously untold stories from the era.