Operation Rolling Thunder
OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER: 1965-1968
On March 2, 1965, the USAF began a systematic bombing campaign against North Vietnam named ROLLING THUNDER. Planners hoped to provide a morale boost to South Vietnamese forces, interdict the flow of supplies going south, and discourage North Vietnamese aggression.
Flying from bases in South Vietnam and Thailand, the USAF started hitting targets near the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between North and South Vietnam. By advancing the target areas northward across North Vietnam, planners intended to apply gradual pressure and use bombing halts as incentives to negotiate.
Operation Rolling Thunder Media
- KC-135A refuels F-105Ds over Vietnam 1965.jpg
F-105Ds refueling en route to North Vietnam in 1965
- A-4E attacking train in North Vietnam c1965.jpeg
A U.S. Navy Douglas A-4 Skyhawk attacking a train in North Vietnam with a Zuni rocket
- Rolling Thunder route packages.jpg
Route Package organization
- A-4E Skyhawks attacking Phuong Dinh bridge Vietnam 1967.jpg
A-4E Skyhawks attacking Phuong Dinh bridge in 1967
An F-105D hit by an SA-2 missile
U.S. Navy A-6A Intruder all-weather bombers, in 1968
The Hanoi POL facility burning after it was attacked by the U.S. Air Force on 29 June 1965
- KC-135A refueling Wild Weasel team Oct 1972.jpg
A USAF "Iron Hand" SAM-suppression team late in the war
- A-7Bs VA-25 during Ironhand mission 1969.jpg
U.S. Navy A-7B Corsairs armed with Shrike anti-radiation missiles, 1969
- VPAF MiG-21 landing with chute.jpg
A missile-armed VPAF MiG-21PF landing, using its drogue parachute
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