The Lemay Center highlights the “Misty” fast forward air controllers (FACs) and their role in counterland air interdiction during Vietnam.
As the Vietnam War escalated during the late 1960s, the infiltration of adversaries and materiel to South Vietnam (SVN) strengthened the North Vietnamese effort to overthrow the US-supported SVN regime. The infiltration was aided by a vast network of trucks, roads, trails, river fords, depots, and support facilities, connecting North Vietnam to the mountains and triple-canopy jungle of southern Laos—aka the “Ho Chi Minh Trail.” Interdicting the trail was a prime US objective in supporting the SVN government.
Early in the war, FACs coordinated interdiction flying slow, propeller-driven O-1 Bird Dogs and O-2 Skymasters. As North Vietnamese air defense capabilities grew, FAC losses increased to an unsustainable level. In response, Gen William Momyer, US deputy commander for air operations in Vietnam, established Project Commando Sabre to better protect aircrews and test interdiction tactics with faster aircraft. Commando Sabre stood-up Det 1’s, 416th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Phu Cat Airbase in SVN. The unit was comprised of 16 volunteer pilots flying the two-seat F-100Fs. Maj George ‘Bud’ Day commanded Det 1. It was Day who gave the unit its “Misty” callsign, after his favorite song.
FAC tactics quickly evolved as the Mistys interdicted communist supply routes. The front-seat pilot flew the aircraft at a low altitude and speeds up to 450 knots, jinking every five-to-seven seconds to avoid ground fire. During these flight profiles, the back seat pilot handled the radios, marked charts, and took pictures with a handheld camera. The Mistys became remarkably proficient at locating enemy truck convoys and other activity below the jungle canopy. They marked targets with smoke rockets and coordinated with EC-130s to call in F-4 and F-105 strikes. These were grueling four-to-six-hour missions. They typically took off from SVN, flew one FAC “cycle” marking targets and calling in strikes, hit a tanker off the coast, and then completed another FAC “cycle” before returning to base.
Despite the significant impact the Misty’s had on US interdiction efforts, fully interdicting the Ho Chi Minh Trail was a nearly impossible mission. The enemy’s determination, the size and scope of the terrain, and the technological limitations at the time created challenging conditions for the aircrews. In addition, these were dangerous missions with 34 Mistys getting shot down. This included Bud Day who was captured and went on to win the Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism as a captive. Two pilots were shot down twice, seven died, and four became prisoners of war. Still, their courage and initiative were renowned, and they produced a unique cadre of leaders. Two—Merrill McPeak and Ronald Fogelman—went on to be Air Force Chiefs of Staff, six became generals (including Day), and one, Dick Rutan, went on to be the first (with co-pilot Jeana Yeager) to fly around the world nonstop and unrefueled.
Why it matters today: The Misty FACs may have faced a nearly impossible task, but they faced it with determination and an eye to innovation that positively influenced future operations. The tactics they pioneered and the lessons they learned made possible today’s advances in forward air control, strike coordination and reconnaissance, personnel recovery, and aerial interdiction. For more information on Counterland Operations, please listen to our latest podcast, Deciphering Doctrine - Ep 24 - Counterland Doctrine: Colonel Scott Hazy discusses the TACP community, C2 of Air-Land Integration. Colonel Scott M. “Cougar” Hazy is the Chief, Personnel Recovery & Joint Integration Division, Headquarters Air Combat Command. Find our podcast episodes on iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, or at www.doctrine.af.mil.