THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE IN SOUTHEAST ASIA : Tactical Airlift

Foreword

Throughout the War in Southeast Asia, American and Vietnamese forces relied heavily on tactical airlift to satisfy the logistical demands of the conflict. ( … ) Tactical airlift had to support simultaneously the full range of U.S. and Vietnamese activities : irregular forces, covert operations, remote outposts, and full - scale conventional operations involving thousands of men. And the support had to be provided despite shortages of aircraft and crews, bureaucratic inefficiency, and chronic scheduling problems.

( ... ) Tactical airlift matured in Vietnam. American airlift personnel worked with the French prior to their pull - out in the mid - 1950's, and started assisting South Vietnamese in the years just prior to the massive American involvement. Tactics were developed, and then changed constantly in an effort to adapt to current military situations. Sometimes the old procedures did not apply.

( ... ) ... the reader will be challenged to examine and to assimilate a wealth of detail, and to assemble a cogent picture of tactical airlift across a broad operational spectrum. One thing emerges with clarity from this book : tactical airlift in Vietnam triumphed over enormous obstacles. It will forever be to the credit of tactical airlift forces that few friendly units were overrun because tactical airlift failed to deliver the material when victory or defeat hinged on supply from the air.

RICHARD H. KOHN

Chief, Office of Air Force History