Forward"The EC-47 in SEA" explores the potential of a prototype tactical air reconnaissance effort which, since its inception in May 1966, has repeatedly attained the real-time goal of Air Force doctrine. Three EC-47 Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons (TEWS) are conducting a project now called COMBAT COUGAR whose objective is:
Direction Finding) operations against low-powered enemy operated tranmitters in the RVN, and other permissive areas of Southeast Asia in support of requirements established by COMUSMACV and the Commander, 7AF." The TEWS collection, both of fixes locating enemy transmitters and related intelligence information, is the core of the real-time intelligence available to COMUSMACV and his subordinate commanders. Their prompt reactions to this information by ground maneuver, artillery fire, tactical air, and ARC LIGHT (B-52) strikes, frequently have foiled the enemy's plans and severely hurt his forces. In this account, Airborne Radio Direction Finding (ARDF), has the preponerant role in the sphere of intelligence available to the ground commander in Southeast Asia (SEA). Within the limitations required to protect highly sensitive information, this CHECO report surveys the background, operations and achievements of the TEWS from the arrival of the first RC-47 (now EC-47) at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Saigon, in May 1966, until 30 April 1968. The EC-47 Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons are an important "first" in Air Force history. This is the first time that the Air Force has ever organized, equipped, and, for the most part, trained personnel for such operations in a combat zone. There has been, and still is, no comparable activity in the Continental United States. Along with the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army aviation has the same share of ARDF mission time in support of COMUSMACV. Army aviation conducted ARDF tests in RVN in 1961, a year before the first Air Force test in RVN. By 1965, fifteen Army aircraft exclusively conducted the ARDF operation. The Air Force did not begin to share the operation in any large measure until the end of 1966. An agreement between the Chiefs of Staff of the Air Force and the Army divides the ARDF mission between the two services for the duration of the war in SEA. Because the long term ARDF role of the services will not be decided until after the war, the performance record of the EC-47 in SEA undoubtedly will have a bearing on that decision.
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