CHECO Report 68 Page 25

Chapter 5

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

USAF ARDF Program Matures: 1967-1968

Another major effort, Operation SHENANDOAH II, in September-November 1967, had significant EC-47 support. "ARDF was the primary basis for targeting...airstrikes against the 271 NVA Regiment." An ARC LIGHT strike hit an ARDF fix on the 273 NVA Regiment; "the radio station serving the unit was not heard again". The results of anothe nine ARC LIGHT strikes between 14 - 30 October 1967, during SHENANDOAH II helped to highlight the accuracy of the ARDF fixes (and the proficiency of the SAC crews). The B-52 effort placed 90 percent of their ordanance squarely on target in two cases, 70-80 percent in three, 60-65 percent in two, and 50 percent in one. In the ninth case, the B-52 aircraft knocked out "100 meters of tunnel, three fighting positions, three bunkers, and one foxhole". The enemy lost 1,331 (confirmed), 385 (probable), and 15 as prisoners during the course of the operations.

As already noted, not all ARDF fixes supported major operations or necessarily brought "immediated interest" reactions by the ground commanders. Nevertheless, In Operation SANTA FE (3 November through 2 December 1967), the TEWS were told:

"ARDF...continued to be th most important intelligence
product provided to the tactical commander. Although
there was no action taken directly against ARDF fixes,
it kept the commanders up to date on enemy locations
in his tactical area of responsibility and interest."

A summary of other operations for the year 1967 in which the EC-47 figured, shows, in each case, feedback was limited: 

OPERATION CODENAME
   OR LOCATION           DATES            FIXES           FEEDBACK
   

THAYER I and II    13 Sep 66-11 Feb 67     778     Two B-52 strikes;
IRVING                                             used ARDF "extensively in
                                                   planning and execution"

FAIRFAX            12 Jan-14 Dec 67     13,028     327 "immediate interest";
                                                   to close to friendly area
                                                   (Gia Dinh, near Saigon) to
                                                   take action on majority of
                                                   cases.

GADSEN                  Jan-Feb            480     295 "immediate interest";
                                                   one B-52 strike.

CEDAR FALLS               Jan              574     362 "immediate interest";
                                                   entire operation prompted
                                                   by ARDF.

FARRAGUT              26 Jan-23 Mar        UNK     "Several" B-52 strikes.
and GATLING

SUMMERALL                Apr 67            134     "ARDF once again proved
                                                    the most valuable source
                                                    of intelligence"

Saigon River              1 Apr              1      Waterborne fix followed
                                                    by VR sighting of four
                                                    vessels. All destroyed.

FRANCIS MARION           23 Apr              2      102 enemy KIA

25th Division           1 Jun-7 Dec        UNK      2,609 artillery rounds
Monsoon Campaign                                    fired: 14 airstrikes;
                                                    2 B-52 strikes.

Various Coordinates     2 Jul-30 Jul        52      696 Harrassment and
                                                    Interdiction Rounds.

                        3 Aug-31 Aug        43      483 H&I rounds

III Marine                 1-31 Oct      1,095      325 "immediate interest";
Amphibious Fouce                                    250 fixes hit by H&I fire:
                                                    6 fixes by ARVN artillery;
                                                    77 fixes by tactical air;
                                                    all fixes with radii of
                                                    750 meters or less passed
                                                    to local area commander
                                                    for action.

YELLOWSTONE          8 Dec 67-24 Feb 68    UNK      2 B-52 strikes; 703 H&I
                                                    rounds; 1,170 enemy KIA.

The year 1967 closed with a message from the Commander, III Marine Amphibious Force, thanking the TEWS for their support of Marine Operations with EC-47 aircraft missions in Laos and the DMZ:

"Have noted with pleasure results of COMPASS DART
(COMBAT COUGAR) "ZULU" aircraft since its inception
of flights in MACV Area Seven.

"Today's effort cited as an example of a superb
performance wherein (aircraft) fixed six targets of
vital concern to me. Well done. LGen. Cushman sends."

Page Twenty Six

Return to Directory