The Rules of Defeat : The Impact of Aerial Rules of Engagement on USAF Operations in North Vietnam, 1965-1968

By Major Ricky J. Drake, USAF

Book Id: WPLBN0002170769
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 0.3 MB
Reproduction Date: 10/23/2012

Title:	The Rules of Defeat : The Impact of Aerial Rules of Engagement on USAF Operations in North Vietnam, 1965-1968
Author:	Major Ricky J. Drake, USAF
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Non Fiction, Military Science, Vietnam War
Collections:	Authors Community, History
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Air University Press

Member Page:	Air University Press
Citation APA MLA Chicago Ricky J. Drake, Usa, B. M. (n.d.). The Rules of Defeat : The Impact of Aerial Rules of Engagement on USAF Operations in North Vietnam, 1965-1968. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.us/

Description
This paper examines how these rules affected the effective military execution of the Rolling Thunder air campaign, as well as their impact on American aircrews and the enemy. During the Vietnam War, many American air commanders were convinced that rigid Rules of Engagement (ROEs) prevented an American aerial victory over North Vietnam during the Rolling Thunder air campaign from 1965-1968. ROEs became so complicated and changed so often that aircrews found it difficult to know what the rules were from day to day. As a result, many vital military targets were either not bombed or were attacked in a very limited and piecemeal fashion.

Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION. 1 2. BACKGRIDUND INFORMATION. 3 3. IMPACT OF ROEs ON MILITARY COMMANDERS AND AIRCREWS. 12 4. ROLLINIG THUNDER --MISSION EFFECTIVENESS. 20 5. IMPACT OF ROEs ON THE ENEMY. 27 6. CONCLUSIONS. 32