Soldier of Fortune Magazine The Journal of Professional Adventurers
by Friedrich Seiltgen
During the Vietnam War, the U.S. Air Force’s Forward Air Controllers (FACs) became critical to the war effort, serving as eyes on the battlefield and marking enemy targets.
The overall mission began during World War II with Air Liaison Officers directing close air support from the ground using radio-equipped jeeps. The USAAF then used aircraft to get a more accurate battlefield view. These Forward Air Controllers, code-named “Horseflies,” could direct air attacks more accurately than ground-based units.
During the Korean War, the FAC mission expanded with the “Mosquitos” calling in airstrikes behind enemy lines. After Korea, the FAC mission was abandoned, as the USAF began building its nuclear-armed force. It was believed that the slow-flying aircraft could not survive this new style of warfare.
How the FAC mission worked in Vietnam. Based on an Air Force illustration.
As America’s involvement in Vietnam grew, the FACs were revived due to the guerrilla-style tactics employed, and a training center, nicknamed “FAC U,” was established in-country to familiarize pilots with these tactics. These eyes in the sky helped prosecute battles and saved lives with their accurate, real-time intelligence. Over the years, the FAC aircraft were constantly upgraded to meet the threat from the enemy.
THE O-1 BIRD DOG
The Bird Dog was easy to maintain, maneuverable, and could operate out of small, primitive airstrips. The primary issue with the O-1 was its power. Its speed made it vulnerable to small arms fire, and the size limited the ordnance, fuel, and radios it could carry. A FAC aircraft carried three separate radio systems. An FM radio for contact with ground forces, a UHF radio to talk to the attack aircraft, and a VHF radio to contact the Tactical Air Control Party. O-1 FACs wanted firepower to deal with the enemy, but it was minimal, and they often shot at the enemy with their M-16s. While the Bird Dog was a good start, the hunt was on for a more powerful aircraft.
THE O-2 SKYMASTER
In 1966, the USAF requested that Cessna Aircraft build a military version of their Model 337 Skymaster for use in Psychological Operations and Forward Air Control. The Skymaster design was simple enough, with one engine mounted in the nose and a second in the rear of the main fuselage, in a push-pull configuration. The high wing of the Skymaster provided good visibility, which was necessary for FAC missions.
THE OV-10 BRONCO
The Rockwell OV-10 was a short takeoff and landing aircraft powered by two turboprop engines and armed with 4 M-60C machine guns and a capacity of 3,200 pounds of external stores. It was conceived by the US Marine Corps and developed under a Joint USAF, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Marine Corps program. The Bronco was tasked with several missions, including FAC, armed recon, utility, observation, and ground attack.
The USAF acquired the Bronco for use as a FAC aircraft, with the first units arriving at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, in July 1968 for testing and evaluation. The Broncos were assigned to the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron under the code name “Operation Combat Bronco.” The tests proved successful, and the test phase ended in October 1968. The USAF then began deploying the OV-10 to the 19th TASS and the 23rd TASS at Nakhom Phanom AB, Thailand.
FAST FACS
The North Vietnamese continually improved their anti-aircraft defenses down the Ho Chi Minh Trail. With heavy-caliber antiaircraft artillery, SA-2 “Guideline” surface-to-air missiles, and SA-7 “Grail” MANPADS. These improvements made it too dangerous for propeller-driven FACs to support operations, and the USAF began testing fast jet fighters for FAC and armed reconnaissance missions, using the North American F-100F Super Sabre, also known as the “Hun”.
COMMANDO SABRE – THE “MISTY” FACS
With FAC loss rates becoming unacceptable in certain areas along the Ho Chi Minh Trail due to the increase in surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft batteries, a decision was made to use faster aircraft for the FAC mission. In June 1967, the ‘Misty’ FACs became operational at Phu Cat AB, about 20 miles northwest of Qui Nhon. USAF Major George “Bud” Day, “Misty 01,” became commander of Detachment 1 – 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron under the code name “Commando Sabre”. The unit’s pilots were given the call sign “Misty” as it was Day’s favorite tune. The two-seat jet-propelled F-100F Super Sabre was chosen as the unit’s aircraft. It was equipped with 2.75-inch white phosphorus rockets to mark targets and a 20mm Vulcan cannon to engage targets themselves.
These missions were both dangerous and exhausting. The Super Sabre routinely was on station for 4-6 hours, only breaking for air-to-air refueling. By the end of the program, nearly a quarter of the 155 Misty FACs were shot down, with two pilots shot down twice. Seven were killed in action, and four were captured and held as POWs.
The Misty FACs were a highly select group of Airmen. They include two U.S. Chiefs of Staff, General Merrill McPeak and General Ronald Fogelman; five general officers, LTG Donald Snyder, MG Donald Shepperd, MG John Dickey, BG Ross Detwiler, and BG Walter Bacon; two astronauts, MG Roy Bridges and Col Charles Veach, the primary pilot of the world’s first around the world unrefueled flight, LTC. Richard “Dick” Rutan, and Medal of Honor recipient Col. George “Bud” Day:” Misty 01.
THE MCDONNELL DOUGLAS F-4 PHANTOM
With the Fast FAC concept proven by the F-100, the USAF phased out the Hun in favor of the Phantom. In 1968, the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, based at Ubon Royal Thai AB, started successfully using McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms, call sign Wolf, in the Fast FAC role.
SALUTE TO THE FACS
These air crews were eyes in the sky, helping to prosecute battles, and saving lives with their accurate, real-time intelligence. In the process, three performed with such heroism that they were awarded the Medal of Honor. Read about them, here.
Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in lone wolf terrorism counterstrategies, firearms, and active shooter response. Contact him at [email protected]. He writes frequently for Soldier of Fortune.
