Combat Skyspot

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For the similar "K-5 bombing"[1] developed for the B-66 bomber using "a tone signal from the Igloo White ISC station[2] in Thailand", see EB-66B Destroyer.
Combat Skyspot
Part of Second Indochina War (
Det. 15[4]

LS-85: Lt Col Gerald Clayton
USMC
CasualtiesAt least 21, additional remains identified killed

Combat Skyspot was the

TPQ-10 ground radars").[5] Combat Skyspot's command guidance of B-52s and tactical fighters and bombers[6]—"chiefly flown by F-100's"[5]—at night and poor weather was used for aerial bombing of strategic, close air support, interdiction, and other targets. Using a combination radar/computer/communications system ("Q" system) at operating location in Southeast Asia, a typical bombing mission (e.g., during Operation Arc Light with a "cell" of 3 Boeing B-52 Stratofortresses) had an air command post turn over control of the mission to the radar station, and the station provided bomb run corrections and designated when to release bombs.[7]

Planning of Vietnam GDB missions included providing coordinates with 10 m (11 yd) accuracy

Motorola SST-181 X Band Beacon Transponder),[8] and radioing of technical data from the aircrew to the radar site such as the airspeed/heading for the central to estimate wind speed on the bomb(s). With the bomber near a designated "Initial Point" the GDB site would begin a radar track (Bomb Directing Centrals would calculate a computer track and solve the "bomb problem
" for the aircraft position.)

For B-52 missions the site personnel verbally transmitted guidance commands to the aircraft crew by radio (lead aircraft for multi-ship formations) to adjust the flight path toward an eventual release point for the actual bomb(s). Site personnel verbally directed release of the ordnance from the aircraft by voice countdown. This was a manual process requiring training, practice and adherence to procedure. Both the site and aircrew were authorized to "withhold" release at any point if doubt arose. All communications were tape recorded by the aircrew for post strike debriefing.

Development

Similar to

Commando Club bombing of northern North Vietnam targets (Red River Delta), and in 1969 training for an additional transportable variant with tower-mounted antenna and digital computer (AN/TSQ-96) was being conducted at the Reeves Instrument Corporation in New York. "In March 1966 the first MSQ-77 arrived at Bien Hoa" Air Base[5] ("activated" April 1[7] to use the "reverse MSQ method".)[5]

Vietnam War ground-directed bombing sites
site location accuracy[9] notes
OL-21
MACON
 		Bien Hoa Air Base 238 ft (73 m)
OL-22
BONGO
 		Pleiku 256 ft (78 m)
OL-23
LID
Nakhon Phanom RTAFB[9]

later

Udorn RTAFB[10]

 322 ft (98 m) AN/MSQ-77, c. 1969 AN/TSQ-96
OL-24
MILKY
 		Đông Hà Combat Base,[11] Hue-Phu Bai, Monkey Mountain (Da Nang) 291 ft (89 m) overrun March 31, 1972
OL-25
TEEPEE
 		Dalat, later
Ubon RTAFB[12]
OL-26 Binh Thuy Air Base, RVN[13] 222 ft (68 m)
OL-27
BROMO
 		Nakhon Phanom RTAFB 1967 AN/TSQ-81
LS-85  
WAGER CONTROL
 		mountaintop of Phou Pha Thi 1967-8 AN/TSQ-81 (destroyed 10 March 1968)
Lima Site 44  
PAULA
 		Salavan, Laos Channel 72 emplaced April 1966
Skyline Ridge  
JANE
 		Long Tieng, Laos Channel 79 emplaced May 1966
Lima Site 61  
NORA
 		Muang Phalane, Laos Channel 77 emplaced 26 March 1967[3]: 34 
[specify] AN/TPQ-10 sites

Operations

Combat Skyspot was first used "to support fighting ground troops" on July 2, 1966;[14] and the initial 15,000 Skyspot sorties from March 1966[15]-March 1967 included the respective 35%, 46%, and 54% "of the B-52D sorties flown" from July[14]-December 1966, in January 1967, and in March 1967.[16] Similar to the lead bomber for 3-ship B-52 missions, a North American F-100 Super Sabres could use Skyspot to act as a pathfinder for Republic F-105 Thunderchiefs.[17] On July 3, 1966, "24-hour all-weather bombing [was] authorized against targets in Laos [using] MSQ-77 ground director bombing system (SKY SPOT)" and on July 5,[18] "Quick Run" began with Skyspot airstrikes where "MACV could request priority targeting resulting in B-52D missions diverted from their primary targets prior to take off or after takeoff".[16] In addition to Arc Light B-52 airstrikes, Skyspot was used against Cambodia targets of Operation Menu from Bien Hoa Air Base and by Operation Niagara.[19] The Combat Skyspot "Operations Order (OPORD) 439–67" was published March 10, 1967;[9] and notable battles using Skyspot include:

  • 1967 Siege of "Con Thien": USMC AN/TPQ-10s were used for airstrikes (Operation Neutralize).[14]
  • 1968
    U Tapao carrying 108 500-pound bombs ran a test mission on 26 February, guided by Skyspot…and [on the 27th,] four missions were run close to the defenders at Khe Sanh. During March, 44 close-support sorties were run."[20]
  • 1971 battle at Tchepone: supporting a helicopter evacuation from a gunship crash site at Tchepone, Laos; the BROMO Skyspot site directed a B-52 cell using BONUS DEAL: the lead's tailgunner used his radar to keep a rear B-52 with faulty navigation in bombing formation.[21] Another Skyspot mission of the operation, "Yankee 37, struck some 1400 yards from Marine lines and touched off secondary explosions" lasting over 2 hrs.[22]
  • 1972
    Dong Ha bridge [and] the north end of the vehicular bridge was struck with a Skyspot airstrike and partly destroyed [but] still passable."[23]
  • 1972
    Linebacker 1: April 9 raid on the Petroleum, Oil, Lubrication (POL) "stores and railyard at Vinh, North Vietnam".[24]

Skyspot also supported

F-4 strikes to knock it out."[29] "On 22 December 1968, RF-4Cs from the 12 and 16 TRS began flying bomb damage assessment missions to evaluate" Skyspot accuracy.[30]

Commando Club

"Commando Club" redirects here. For emplacement of the AN/TSQ-81 at Lima Site 85 (LS-85) on the Phou Pha Thi mountaintop, see Heavy Green.

Commando Club was a Combat Skyspot operation for ground-directed bombing of

C-135…decoy ship")[33] provided a "radio relay [and] surveillance/control channel" (callsign: WAGER) between the radar and the bomber.[34]

Commando Club/total missions by target area & period[35]
Period North Vietnam
[verification needed] 		Barrel Roll
"around" LS-85[36] 		Both areas
November 20/153 (13%) 1/268 21/421 (5%)
December 20/94 (21%) 67/327 (20%) 87/421 (21%)
January 29/125 (55%) 23/320 (10%) 52/445 (12%)
February 27/49 (55%) 142/375 (38%) 169/424 (40%)
March 1–10 3/6 (50%) 165**/182 (91%) 168/188 (89%)
Total 99*/427 (20%) 398/1472[36] (27%) 497/1899 (26%)
*The 99 Commando Club missions on NVN used ~500
Thai Nguyen RR yard.)
**Only 153 of the March 1–10 Commando Club missions were on Laos targets.[3]
: 62 

Wager Control missions

The LS-85 radar with

electronic countermeasures were improved. Through November 16, LS-85 had effected a direct hit (zero miss distance) as well as a 5 mi (8.0 km) miss: the Commando Club CEP for "14 runs was 867 feet"[42] while other Skyspot sites for 1967 missions averaged 300–350 ft (91–107 m) error at ranges ≤100 nmi (190 km; 120 mi).[15] LS-85 accuracy was improved during the suspension period, another UHF radio was added at the summit, and the radio relay's secondary task of surveilling for MiGs was eliminated.[43]

Commando Club was resumed by November 21 when F-105s attacked the Yên Bái airfield (also on December 1 & 23,

Battle of Route 602 were part of the approximately 400 Commando Club missions out of the "1,472 BARREL ROLL Strike missions" flown "around" LS-85 from November 1 – March 10.[36] Despite the bombing campaign, the enemy reached LS-85 and it was captured during the Battle of Lima Site 85
on March 10/11, 1968.

Results

The AN/TSQ-96 at

CEP of 150 ft (46 m).[how?]far?] For Route Package I sorties, the "major increase in high altitude MSQ-77 bombing was probably the most important reason for loss reduction" (fewer shoot downs),[46] Casualties associated with Combat Skyspot included a Detachment 15 NCO killed in an enemy rocket attack,[47] 6 of a site survey team killed in a 1966 ambush,[27] and the 13 KIA of the Battle of Lima Site 85. In 1989, remains of an F-4C Weapon System Officer shot down during a November 10, 1967, AN/MSQ-77 bomb run were recovered in Southeast Asia,[48] and US remains from the LS-85 battle were identified in 2005 & 2012. The Combat Skyspot Memorial on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, identifies[when?] personnel killed in Southeast Asia (its AN/MSQ-77 antenna was destroyed by a typhoon c. 2007).[49]

External image
image icon 1967 Dong Ha "SKY SPOT" entrance

References

  1. ^ Plunkett, W. Howard (2006-03-22). "Radar Bombing during Rolling Thunder-Part 1: Ryan's Raiders". Air Power History. 53 (1): 4. Retrieved 2017-06-05. "The first uses of radar to allow bombing North Vietnam in bad weather were the "pathfinder" missions where EB-66B Destroyers led single-seat F-105Ds above the weather. F-105s flew in formations of four, eight, or twelve aircraft alongside a B-66 at altitudes usually above 15,000 feet. Also called synchronous radar bombing and buddy bombing, this method required the EB-66 navigator to use his K-5 radar bombing navigation system to detect the target and send a signal tone to the F-105s to drop their bombs."
  2. ^ "Wiring Vietnam" (PDF). Sobchak.files.wordpress.com. Retrieved 2017-06-05.
  3. ^
    ISBN 0-231-10316-6
    .
  4. ^ "Detachment - Location - Call Sign" (data table). MobileRadar.org. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Rowley, Lt. Col Ralph A. (1 February 1976). Tactics and Techniques of Close Air Support Operations 1961–1973 (PDF). The Air Force in Southeast Asia (Report). Office of Air Force History. p. 92. Retrieved 2012-07-04. Skyspot's accuracy let heavy bombs be dropped on occasion within 250 meters of friendly positions. …many maps of South Vietnam contained distance errors of up to 300 meters. … Skyspot (S) MSQ-77 and TPQ-10 ground radars
  6. Air Force Association), archived from the original
    (PDF) on 2012-06-10, retrieved 2012-05-21, In SEA, the MSQ-77 system is utilized by tactical fighters, tactical bombers, and B-52 bomber aircraft for controlled release of ordnance on targets during periods of darkness and adverse weather. It was used by: F-100, F-4C, F-105, A-1E, A-26, B-52, and B-57, though most frequently used by F-100s and B-52s.
  7. ^ a b c "Ground-controlled Radar Bombing". AustMIA.com. 28 July 2002. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 2012-07-17. Preplanned radar-directed strikes were fragged by the TACC along with other missions. After takeoff, the strike aircraft were passed from the appropriate CRC/CRP to an MSQ-77 [or] TPQ-10 radar station that directed the strike.
  8. ^ "AN/- Electronics Equipment, for Shipboard, Submerged or Joint Use". Archived from the original on 2012-10-31. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  9. ^ a b c d Durkee, Major Richard A (9 August 1967). Combat Skyspot (PDF) (Report). CHECO Division, Tactical Evaluation Directorate (HQ PACAF). Archived from the original (XA.Yimg.com image) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 2012-11-05. In SEA, the MSQ-77 system is utilized by tactic~l fighters, tactical bombers, and 8–52 bomber aircr~ft for controlled release ti or~nance'on targets during periods of darkness and adverse weather. … The F-IOO and B-S2 aircraft use the system most frequently. (p. 7)
  10. ^ "OL-23, Udorn Royal Thai Air Base". Combat-Skyspot.tripod.html. Retrieved 23 Sep 2010. OL-23 (call sign LID)…ran many Arc Light strikes against targets in northern Laos.
  11. ^ "OL-24 Dong Ha". Combatskyspot.com. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  12. ^ Steeves, Mike. "OL25, Ubon Royal Thai Airbase, Thailand". Combat-Skyspot.com. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
  13. ^ "OL-26, 1st Combat Evaluation Group, Binh Thuy AB, RVN mid-1970". Combat-Skyspot.tripod.com. Retrieved 23 Sep 2010. OL-26 (call sign GAP) was deeply involved with the secret bombing in Cambodia
  14. ^
    TACAN
    used multiple beacons, not Skyspot—which used only one radar even if a non-transmitting Skyspot backup receiving the A/C transponder returns later tracked/commanded the bomb run.
  15. ^ a b c Wheeler, Gen. Earl G. (25 April 1967), Installation of MSQ-77 in Northern Laos (PDF), archived from the original (CJCS memorandum) on 2012-09-16, retrieved 2012-05-21 cover letter: "radar guidance coverage would be extended over areas of northern NVN and Laos not now covered".
  16. ^ a b "Arc Light/Young Tiger - First Unit Deployment". 306th BW (McCoy) Reunion Organization (306thbw.org). October 9, 2004. Retrieved 2012-07-17. By December 1966, 35 percent of the B-52D sorties flown were MSQ directed, increasing to 46 percent in January and 54 percent in March.
  17. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=korSAxSHV6IC&pg=PA29 [dead link]
  18. ^ "MACV Command History Chronology - 1966". Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2012-12-02.
  19. ^ Morocco, John (1985). Rain of Fire: Air War, 1969–1973. Boston: Boston Publishing Company. p. 14.
  20. ^ Mrozek. title tbd (PDF) (Report). Air University Press. Retrieved 1 November 2012. Finally, a B-52 from U Tapao carrying 108 500-pound bombs ran a test mission on 26 February, guided by Skyspot . The delivery was precise and the equipment operated well . The following day, four missions were run close to the defenders at Khe Sanh. During March, 44 close-support sorties were run ."
  21. ^ "Observations, Chitchat, and Idle Gossip in the Smile Hi City: Bonus Deal". Lajuntablog.blogspot.com. 2007-02-23. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  22. ^ "February 23 - The Patriot Files Forums". Patriotfiles.com. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  23. ^ "Chapter 3". Angelfire.com. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
  24. ^ "OL27 Nakhon Phanom Thailand". Archived from the original on 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2012-04-05.
  25. ^ "SOF Reference Manual" (101 pg Word). September 2000. Retrieved 2012-07-18.
  26. ^ a b "Combat Skyspot Overview". Archived from the original on 2010-11-01. Retrieved 2015-01-24.
  27. ^ a b [who?]. "Chapter II: Personnel" (DocStoc website copy). 1st Combat Evaluation Group (SAC): April–June 1966 (Report). Vol. I. Retrieved 2012-07-14.{{cite report}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) (partial transcription at 1stCombatEvaluationGroup.com) Archived 2013-06-06 at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ https://books.google.com/books?id=sOpMuLgVy0sC&dq=%22radar+bombing%22+north+vietnam&pg=PA68 [dead link]
  29. ^ "newsgroup posting". Archived from the original (Google cache of posting 9066) on 2012-10-27. Retrieved 2012-10-01. One night we worked with a Nail Fac and hit a couple bull dozers. …the fac gave coordinates, we would run an F4 on the spot. The Fac would say you got him pause nope he's back on the dozer, move your coordinated to whatever the new coordinates were. It took 4 f 4s to finally nock it out.
  30. ^ http://www.buckley.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-100323-034.pdf [permanent dead link]
  31. ^ "Calfee, James Henry, MSgt". TogetherWeServed.com. June 1, 2009. Retrieved 2012-10-09.
  32. ^
    34TFSthuds
    .us. Retrieved 2012-10-07. "F-105 History" pages:
    a. "Jacob C. Shuler" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-10-07.
    b. "Donald W. Hodge" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-10-07.
    c. "Joseph S. Sechler" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-10-07.
    d. "David C. Dickson" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-10-31. 34 TFS were diverted to a target in Laos as a result of the North Vietnamese attack on Lima Site 85. They took off at 0715 and returned after 2 hours 55 minutes. … We were diverted up to Lima 85 up by the North TACAN station. The bad guys were trying to storm the hill. The hill was sticking up through the clouds but we couldn't detect any enemy action. The A-1Es were working over the enemy but they wouldn't let us in on the action. Instead they put us in on an enemy gun emplacement about 10 miles away.
  33. ISBN 9780471573289
    . Retrieved 2012-10-11. We already had a 600-foot STOL strip three-quarters of the way up the mountain for resupplying local Meo guerrilla … One wounded and extraordinarily unlucky technician was killed, shot through the back during helicopter evacuation.
  34. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-07. Retrieved 2012-11-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  35. ^ a b Vallentiny, Capt Edward (9 August 1968). The Fall of Site 85 (Report). CHECO Division, Tactical Evaluation Division (HQ PACAF). Archived from the original (PJSinNam.com transcription) on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
  36. ^ a b c "1968". 8TFW.com. Archived from the original (transcript of unit history) on 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2012-10-24.
  37. ^ Thompson, Wayne (2010-07-06). title tbd. Retrieved 2012-11-01. From November 1967 to March 1968, controllers at Phou Pha Thi directed nearly a hundred "Commando Club" missions (about five hundred sorties) against the Red River Delta.
  38. ^ a b c d Plunkett, W. Howard (June 22, 2006). "Part II: Combat Lancer and Commando Club". Radar Bombing during Rolling Thunder (2007 ECNext transcription). Retrieved 2012-06-06. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  39. ISBN 978-81-7648-660-6
    .
  40. ^ Wolk, Herman S (1 June 1969). R&D for Southeast Asia, 1965–1967 (PDF). USAF Plans and Policies (Report). Office of Air Force History. p. 58. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 April 2012. Retrieved 2012-05-21. On 1 November 1967, another MSQ-77 became operational in Laos, but it was destroyed by the enemy in March 1968.
  41. ^ "Major General John C. Giraudo". www.AF.mil. Archived from the original (official USAF biography) on 2012-12-12. Retrieved 2012-10-13.
  42. ^ Plunkett, W. Howard (Summer 2006). "Part II: Combat Lancer and Commando Club". Radar Bombing during Rolling Thunder (DocStoc website copy). Retrieved 2012-06-16. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  43. ^ "FindArticles.com – CBSi". findarticles.com.
  44. ^ Steeves, Mike. "OL25, Ubon Royal Thai Airbase, Thailand". Combat-Skyspot.com. Retrieved 2012-11-08.
  45. ^ "combatevaluationgroup : Message: RE: [Combat Evaluation Group] Re: La…". 7 October 2012. Archived from the original on 7 October 2012.
  46. ^ "Use of the MSQ-77 for attacks on SAM sites was not analyzed… CEP of 300 to 400 feet in South Vietnam for ranges up to 50–60 nm" (PDF). USAF Tactical Fighter Weapons Center Bulletin No. 8. October 28, 1966. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 7, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  47. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). www.1stcombatevaluationgroup.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  48. ^ "Kelly Cook, COL, Air Force, Sioux City IA, 09Aug76 29E065 - the Virtual Wall®". Archived from the original on 2013-01-18. Retrieved 2013-02-11. Lieutenant Honeycutt and Lieutenant Colonel Cook parachuted alive from their aircraft and reached the ground seriously wounded. Both were later reported to have died."
  49. ^ Karaszewski, Eugene B (1 January 2008). "Det. 8 Memorial" (PDF). Det. 8 Deadline. Karaszewski.us. p. 5. Archived from the original (newsletter article) on 7 November 2015. Retrieved 2012-11-03.

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