The Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) (Vietnamese: Không lực Việt Nam Cộng hòa) began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world’s sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974. It is an often neglected chapter of the history of the Vietnam War as they operated in the shadow of the world’s largest air war machine. It was dissolved in 1975 after the Fall of Saigon. Many of its members now live in the United States.
| Vietnam Air Force Không Quân Việt Nam |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1955–1975 |
| Country | South Vietnam |
| Size | 63,000 personnel (at height) 2075 aircraft (at height) |
| Motto | Tổ Quốc - Không Gian (Fatherland - Space) |
| Anniversaries | 1 July - VNAF Day |
| Engagements | Vietnam War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Nguyễn Xuân Vinh, Nguyễn Cao Kỳ |
| Insignia | |
| Roundel | |
| Fin Flash | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Attack | MD 315 Flamant, T-28, A-1, A-37, AC-47, AC-119G/K |
| Bomber | B-57 Canberra |
| Electronic warfare |
EC-47 |
| Fighter | F8F Bearcat, F-5A/B/C/E |
| Patrol | Republic RC-3 Seabee |
| Reconnaissance | RF-5A, MS 500 Criquet, O-1 Bird Dog, O-2 Skymaster, U-6, U-17 |
| Trainer | Pazmany PL-2, T-6, T-28, T-41, T-37, H-13 |
| Transport | Dassault MD 315 Flamant, C-45, Aero Commander, C-47, DC-6, C-7 Caribou, C-119, C-123, C-130, Alouette II, Alouette III, H-19, UH-1, H-34, CH-47 |
Contents |
In March 1949, Emperor Bảo Đại officially requested that the French help set up a Vietnamese military air arm. Pressure was maintained with the assistance of Lt. Col. Nguyễn Văn Hinh, who had flown the B-26 Marauder with the French Air Force in the Second World War. In March 1952, a training school was set up at Nha Trang, and the following year two army co-operation squadrons began missions flying the Morane-Saulnier MS.500 Criquet light aircraft. In 1954, the French allocated a number of Dassault MD.315 Flamant armed light transports to the inventory of this Vietnamese air arm. Vietnamese pilot trainees began to be sent to France for more advanced training. In May 1954, with the fall of Điện Biên Phủ, the position of France changed, and on January 31, 1955, the Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) was inaugurated. French instructors for pilots and mechanics remained until late 1956, and transferred 69 F8F Bearcat aircraft to the VNAF, which throughout the late 1950s were the main strike aircraft.[1]
In contrast with the North's Vietnam People's Air Force, most allied air operations in the Vietnam War were conducted by the U.S. armed forces. The South Vietnamese forces operated at a fairly basic level compared to the U.S. forces, which carried out the bombing campaigns in the north.
The 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron was organized on 17 June 1963. The United States in May 1956 had started to train and advise the South Vietnamese Air Force. The VNAF was supplied with H-19 helicopters, and later H-34s. Initially, they employed simple T-28 Trojan[2] prop powered trainers which could carry a small bombload. The first jets were B-57 Canberra bombers arriving in 1965. In October of the same year the VNAF received its first modern UH-1 Huey turbine powered helicopters. Later, the US released more powerful light attack A-1 Skyraiders and jet light attack A-37 Dragonfly, and the lightweight F-5 Freedom Fighter which was developed by Northrop as an affordable export fighter for foreign air forces. By the end of 1972, the VNAF operated 18 squadrons with 500 new helicopters, one of the largest helicopter fleets in the world.[3] In 1972, President Thieu asked for, but did not receive, the F-4 Phantom with its massive bombload and speed that was widely used for all roles by US air services.[4]
When the Vietnam People's Army (NVA) started to install anti-aircraft missiles near Khe Sanh, the VNAF lacked the radar jamming gear, and the navigational aids required to attack the missile sites.[5] The VNAF primarily flew close support as communist forces did not fly aircraft over US-held territory, so they never had the opportunity to fight MiGs or “go downtown” in heavy fighter bombers. Consequently, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) was at a significant disadvantage once the US air force left Vietnam due to the lack of the bombings and air support provided by the U.S. Many think that this is reason why the communist offensive succeeded so rapidly when compared to other offensives, such as the ones in 1968 and 1972.
During the final 1975 offensive, it was not simply a case of a massive collapse. The ARVN forces in Long Khánh were fighting to the death. A cooperative effort between the ARVN and the VNAF enabled ARVN troops there to hold on. CH-47 helicopters brought in 193 tons of artillery ammunition over two days. A-1 Skyraiders flew in and C-130 Hercules transports dropped massive 15,000-pound daisy cutter bombs on enemy positions. Flying against intense antiaircraft fire, they took a heavy toll on the NVA divisions around Xuan Loc.
On 28 April at 18:06 3 A-37 Dragonflys piloted by former VNAF pilots who had defected to the Vietnamese People's Air Force at the fall of Danang dropped 6 Mk81 250 lb bombs on the VNAF flightline at Tan Son Nhut Air Base destroying several aircraft. VNAF F-5s took off in pursuit, but were unable to intercept the A-37s.[6]
At dawn on 29 April the VNAF began to haphazardly depart Tan Son Nhut Air Base as A-37s, F-5s, C-7s, C-119s and C-130s departed for Thailand while UH-1s took off in search of the ships of TF-76.[7] At 08:00 Lieutenant General Minh, commander of the VNAF and 30 of his staff arrived at the DAO Compound demanding evacuation, this signified the complete loss of command and control of the VNAF.[8]
Some VNAF aircraft did stay to continue to fight the advancing NVA however. One AC-119K gunship from 821st. Attack Squadron, had spent the night of 28/29 April dropping flares and firing on the approaching NVA. At dawn on 29 April two A-1 Skyraiders began patrolling the perimeter of Tan Son Nhut at 2500 feet until Maj. Truong Phung, one of the two Skyraider was shot down, presumably by an SA-7. At 07:00 the AC-119K "Tinh Long" flew by Lt. Trang van Thanh was firing on NVA to the east of Tan Son Nhut when it too was hit by a SA-7 missile, and fell in flames to the ground. Sgt. Son, one of the AC-119K gunner tried to escape but his chute tangled in the tail of the airplane.[9]
Despite sporadic artillery and rocket fire, Binh Thuy Air Base remained operational throughout 29 April and on the morning of 30 April with VNAF A-37 aircraft flying an unknown number of sorties against PAVN columns moving into Saigon, these were the last combat sorties flown by the VNAF. After the announcement of the surrender of South Vietnam by President Minh the pilots flew their stripped down aircraft to U-Tapao Air Base in Thailand, often carrying three or even four people.[10]
Attack aircraft
Bomber aircraft
Fighter aircraft
Reconnaissance and observation aircraft
Rotary aircraft
Training aircraft
Transport and utility aircraft
| Squadron | Wing | Division | Base | Aircraft Operated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 110th Liaison Squadron | 41st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Đà Nẵng | MS 500 Criquet, O-1 Bird Dog, U-17A/B Skywagon |
| 112th Liaison Squadron | 23rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Nha Trang | MS 500 Criquet, O-1 Bird Dog, U-17A/B Skywagon |
| 114th Liaison Squadron | 62nd Tactical Wing | 2nd Air Division | Nha Trang | O-1 Bird Dog, U-17A/B Skywagon |
| 116th Liaison Squadron | 74th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Bình Thủy | O-1 Bird Dog, U-17A/B Skywagon |
| 118th Liaison Squadron | 72nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Pleiku | O-1 Bird Dog, U-17A/B Skywagon, O-2A Skymaster |
| 120th Liaison Squadron | 41st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Bình Thủy | O-1 Bird Dog, U-17A/B Skywagon |
| 122nd Liaison Squadron | 74th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Bình Thủy | O-1 Bird Dog, U-17A/B Skywagon |
| 124th Liaison Squadron | 23rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bình Thủy | O-1 Bird Dog, U-17A/B Skywagon, O-2A Skymaster |
| 211th Helicopter Squadron | 84th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Bình Thủy | UH-1 |
| 213th Helicopter Squadron | 51st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | UH-1 |
| 215th Helicopter Squadron | 92nd Tactical Wing | 2nd Air Division | Nha Trang | UH-1 |
| 217th Helicopter Squadron | 74th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Bình Thủy | UH-1 |
| 219th Helicopter Squadron | 62nd Tactical Wing | 2nd Air Division | Nha Trang | H-34 Choctaw, UH-1 |
| 221st Helicopter Squadron | 43rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | UH-1 |
| 223rd Helicopter Squadron | 43rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | UH-1 |
| 225th Helicopter Squadron | 84th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Soc Trang | UH-1 |
| 227th Helicopter Squadron | 84th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Soc Trang | UH-1 |
| 229th Helicopter Squadron | 72nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Pleiku | UH-1 |
| 231st Helicopter Squadron | 43rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | UH-1 |
| 233rd Helicopter Squadron | 51st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | UH-1 |
| 235th Helicopter Squadron | 72nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Pleiku | UH-1 |
| 237th Helicopter Squadron | 43rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | CH-47 Chinook |
| 239th Helicopter Squadron | 51st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | UH-1 |
| 241st Helicopter Squadron | 82nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Phu Cat | CH-47 Chinook |
| 243rd Helicopter Squadron | 82nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Phu Cat | UH-1 |
| 245th Helicopter Squadron | 43rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | UH-1 |
| 247th Helicopter Squadron | 51st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | CH-47 Chinook |
| 249th Helicopter Squadron | 84th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Soc Trang | CH-47 Chinook |
| 251st Helicopter Squadron | 43rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | UH-1 |
| 253rd Helicopter Squadron | 92nd Tactical Wing | 2nd Air Division | Nha Trang | UH-1 |
| 255th Helicopter Squadron | 84th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Soc Trang | UH-1 |
| 257th Helicopter Squadron | 51st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | UH-1 |
| 259th Helicopter Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | UH-1 |
| 314th Special Mission Squadron | 33rd Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | C-47, U-17A/B Skywagon, UH-1, DC-6B, Aero Commander |
| 413th Transport Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | C-119 Flying Boxcar |
| 415th Transport Squadron | 33rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | C-47 |
| 421st Transport Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | C-123 Provider |
| 423rd Transport Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | C-123 Provider |
| 425th Transport Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | C-123 Provider |
| 427th Transport Squadron | 51st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | C-7 Caribou |
| 429th Transport Squadron | 82nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Phu Cat | C-7 Caribou |
| 431st Transport Squadron | 82nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Phu Cat | C-7 Caribou |
| 435th Transport Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | C-130A |
| 437th Transport Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | C-130A |
| 514th Fighter Squadron | 23rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | A-1 Skyraider |
| 516th Fighter Squadron | 61st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 518th Fighter Squadron | 23rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | A-1 Skyraider |
| 520th Fighter Squadron | 74th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Binh Thuy | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 522nd Fighter Squadron | 63rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | F-5A/B, RF-5A Freedom Fighter |
| 524th Fighter Squadron | 62nd Tactical Wing | 2nd Air Division | Nha Trang | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 526th Fighter Squadron | 74th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Bình Thủy | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 528th Fighter Squadron | 41st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 530th Fighter Squadron | 72nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Pleiku | A-1 Skyraider |
| 532nd Fighter Squadron | 82nd Tactical Wing | 6th Air Division | Phu Cat | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 534th Fighter Squadron | 62nd Tactical Wing | 2nd Air Division | Phan Rang | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 536th Fighter Squadron | 23rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | F-5A/B Freedom Fighter, F-5E Tiger II |
| 538th Fighter Squadron | 41st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | F-5A/B Freedom Fighter |
| 540th Fighter Squadron | 82nd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Phu Cat | F-5A Freedom Fighter, F-5E Tiger II |
| 542nd Fighter Squadron | 23rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | F-5A Freedom Fighter |
| 544th Fighter Squadron | 23rd Tactical Wing | 3rd Air Division | Bien Hoa | F-5A Freedom Fighter |
| 546th Fighter Squadron | 74th Tactical Wing | 4th Air Division | Binh Thuy | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 548th Fighter Squadron | 62nd Tactical Wing | 2nd Air Division | Phan Rang | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 550th Fighter Squadron | 41st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Da Nang | A-37B Dragonfly |
| 716th Reconnaissance Squadron | 33rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | T-28A Trojan, EC-47D Dakota, U-6A Beaver, RF-5A Freedom Fighter |
| 718th Reconnaissance Squadron | 41st Tactical Wing | 1st Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | EC-47D Dakota |
| 720th Reconnaissance Squadron | 33rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | RC-119 |
| 817th Attack Squadron | 62nd Tactical Wing | 2nd Air Division | Nha Trang | AC-47D Spooky |
| 819th Attack Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | AC-119G Shadow |
| 821st Attack Squadron | 53rd Tactical Wing | 5th Air Division | Tan Son Nhut | AC-119K Stinger |
| 912th Training Squadron | Air Training Center | Air Training Center | Nha Trang | T-6G Texan |
| 918th Training Squadron | Air Training Center | Air Training Center | Nha Trang | T-41 Mescalero |
| 920th Training Squadron | Air Training Center | Air Training Center | Nha Trang | T-37, UH-1 Huey |
| Name | Rank | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trần Văn Hổ | Lieutenant Colonel (1956), Colonel (1957) | 1956–1957 | First Air Force commander. Was promoted from Lieutenant. |
| Nguyễn Xuân Vinh | 1958–1962 | ||
| Huỳnh Hữu Hiền | 1962–1963 | ||
| Do Khac Maï | 1963–1963 (3 months) | ||
| Nguyễn Cao Kỳ | Air Vice-Marshal (1965) | 1963–1965 | |
| Trần Văn Minh | Major General, Lieutenant General (1974) | 1965–1975 | Formerly Chief of General Staff |
| Nguyễn Hữu Tần | 1975 | Commander of the 4th Air Division at the same time. |
|
||||||||||||||||||||