PILOT F-105

The Vietnam War (1964 / 1965-1975) is a conflict fought between the government of South Vietnam, supported very intensively (economically, politically, militarily) by the United States, and North Vietnam, supported by the USSR and the PRC. On the American side, aviation played a huge role in this conflict - both helicopters and jets. The latter entered action as early as 1964, when it began bombing Laos, and a year later (1965) as part of Operation Rolling Thunder - it also began bombing North Vietnam. Initially, machines such as the F-105 D Thuderchief or the F-4 Phantom II participated in this operation. However, the B-52 strategic bombers were quickly put into action. The operation lasted until 1968. Aviation also played a huge role in 1972, when it launched the strategic bombing of Hanoi and Haifong, which was instrumental in accelerating the peace talks. During the Vietnam War, the American air force - both operating within the USAF and the US Navy - used many types of aircraft, including: A-7 Corsair II, A-6 Intruder, F-101 Voodoo or the aforementioned F-4 Phantom. It is worth adding that in the course of that war, the American armed forces had several fighter aces, including Captains Steven Ritchie, Jeffrey Feinstien and Colonel Charles DeBellevue.