Operation Rolling Thunder
This operation was the most intense air/ground battle waged during the Cold War period. Their goals were to persuade North Vietnam to cease its support for the communist insurgency in South Vietnam without actually taking any ground forces into communist North Vietnam, to destroy North Vietnam's transportation system, industrial base, and air defenses, and to cease the flow of men and materiel into South Vietnam.
When operation Rolling Thunder began, Washingtion dictated wich targets would be struck. After the attack the number and types of aircraft and the tonnages and types of ordnance utilized, and sometimes even the direction of the attack. After the attack was complete they were planning to fly directly back to Thailand or exit over the relatively safe waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.
When operation Rolling Thunder began, Washingtion dictated wich targets would be struck. After the attack the number and types of aircraft and the tonnages and types of ordnance utilized, and sometimes even the direction of the attack. After the attack was complete they were planning to fly directly back to Thailand or exit over the relatively safe waters of the Gulf of Tonkin.