Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Criteria It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Long... It is awarded to all service members of the U.S. Air Force who complete four years of honorable active or reserve military service with any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The Air Force Longevity Service Award is a ribbon that replaces the Federal Service Stripes previously worn on the uniform. MoreHide
Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while partic... The Air Medal may be awarded to individuals who, while serving in any capacity with the Armed Forces, distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement, or by meritorious service while participating in aerial flight, but not of a degree that would justify an award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. MoreHide
Criteria The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or aft... The Presidential Unit Citation may be awarded to units of the Armed Forces of the United States and cobelligerent nations for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy occurring on or after December 7, 1941. MoreHide
Description 543 - Presidential Unit Citation Awarded the 12th Air Commando Squadron, Pacific Air Forces.
October 18, 1968
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY
THE AWARD OF
THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
TO THE 12TH AIR COMMANDO SQUA... 543 - Presidential Unit Citation Awarded the 12th Air Commando Squadron, Pacific Air Forces.
October 18, 1968
CITATION TO ACCOMPANY
THE AWARD OF
THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
TO THE 12TH AIR COMMANDO SQUADRON
The 12th Air Commando Squadron, Pacific Air Forces, distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an opposing armed force while conducting defoliation missions throughout the Republic of Vietnam, from 21 August 1966 to 30 June 1967. During this period, members of the 12th Air Commando Squadron repeatedly encountered extremely heavily defended target complexes while flying at a very low altitude and airspeed required for successful accomplishment of proper defoliation. Despite the constant personal danger inherent in the performance of their vital mission, these men defoliated over 1,200,000 acres of jungle canopy which concealed hostile forces. The subsequent and continuing ground and air operations in the defoliated areas have been aided immeasurably by the accomplishments of these men. Their esprit de corps, great heroism, and devotion to duty in the performance of this hazardous mission typify the noblest traditions of the military profession. By their extraordinary courage, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of hostile forces, the members of the 12th Air Commando Squadron have reflected the highest credit upon themselves and the United States Air Force.
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation. MoreHide
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
This article is taken from the USAF booklet "Air Commando, 1950-1975: Twenty-Five Years at the Tip of the Spear" written by USAF TSGT Dale K. Robinson. It is the story of a group of dedicated and brave airmen who flew low and slow to reduce the risks to our soldiers on the ground and to expose the enemy. The Agent Orange controversy which later became both a political and veterans' issue is dealt in the USAF Ranch Hand II report. Comments by Ranch Hand and cover support aircrew, who were exposed to it in flight will be added as I receive them.
In early November, 1961, Tactical Air Command was notified by HQ USAF to modify six C-123 Provider tactical transports for Project RANCH HAND, the name given herbicide spray operations in South Vietnam. Volunteer crews were solicited from the list of non-selected volunteers for the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron ("Jungle Jim") recently activated at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Ranch Hand's first three aircraft and crew arrived at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon, South Vietnam, on 7 January 1962, for what was expected to be a 120 day tour. A successful test mission was flown on 10 January, with the first operational missions beginning three days later. The goal of the herbicide missions was to deny the communist Viet Cong the continued safety of their traditional strongholds in Vietnam's thick forests and jungles.
During the early spray missions, and Air Commando C-47 (from the original Farm Gate Detachment) preceded the spray missions by dropping thousands of leaflets, and conducting Vietnamese language voice broadcasts to the villages below. The communications explained to the population what the defoliant flights were, and why they were necessary. Within three months of their arrival the Americans would also be reminded this was no simple "Forest Service" operation.
On 2 February 1962, a Ranch Hand crew became the first Air Force fatalities in Vietnam. Captain Fergus C. Groves II, Captain Robert D. Larson and Staff Sergeant Milo B. Coghill were killed while on a training mission. Although there was no evidence the aircraft was struck by ground fire, Air Commando T-28s were tasked to fly armed escort on future missions. Ranch Hand operations continued unabated throughout the rest of the year.
Between January and June 1963, Ranch Hand was additionally tasked to transport cargo, munitions and personnel throughout South Vietnam. In August, the unit deployed to Thailand on a humanitarian mission at the request of the Thai government. Once there the Ranch Hand C-123s effectively sprayed crops in Thailand with an insecticide developed to combat a plague of locusts.
In December 1963, Ranch Hand began testing the feasibility of night defoliant operations in Vietnam. If night missions proved practical, they would seem to provide greater scheduling flexibility and reduced risk to enemy small arms fire. With one aircraft dispersing flares overhead for illumination, the lower-flying spray plane's runs were declared highly successful on the first night's test.
But the second night's mission was greeted by heavy small arms fire from an obviously alerted Viet Cong. As a result, night defoliant operations in the future were conducted only on a random basis. Whatever their tactics, the Ranch Hand crews found that as their skills increased with experience, so did enemy gunners who quickly grasped the defoliant spray mission flight patterns. By 1964, the Air commandos were being greeted by heavier and more effective ground fire virtually everywhere they flew.
In July, 1964, Ranch Hand was assigned to the 309th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Group (later redesignated the 315th Air Commando Group). In 1965, the 309th's aircraft were re-designated UC-123s to differentiate them from standard cargo versions of the Provider. In December, 1965, the unit moved from Tan Son Nhut to Bien Hoa airfields (both near Saigon), and their Area of Operations expanded to include parts of Laos for the first time. Increased defoliation requirements created a demand for more aircraft and crews, and in May, 1966, eleven more UC-123s were authorized and scheduled for arrival before the end of the year.
In June, 1966, Project Ranch Hand recorded its first combat loss. Two Providers flying a defoliant mission over Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam's northern sector began taking sporadic hits from enemy ground fire on their runs. On their fifth pass over the target area, one of the twin-engine aircraft took a fatal hit in an engine and crashed. A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter nearby responded almost immediately, rescuing the three crewmen near the burning wreckage. A second aircraft was lost in October; its crew also rescued.
On 15 October, 1966, Ranch Hand became the 12th Air Commando Squadron, in the 315th Air Commando Wing. Three months later, the squadron lost a third aircraft to ground fire, this time over Laos and this time with no survivors. In February, Ranch Hand was ordered for the first time to fly missions over the De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Vietnam. These missions helped uncover infiltration routes from the north and expose stockpiles of supplies hidden in the DMZ. By June, 1967, the number of UC-123s had increased to 20, but in July, a fourth aircraft was downed with the loss of all four aboard.
During 1967 the Ranch Hand squadron typically flew 18 to 27 sorties each day, with three to four aircraft per spray mission. Each aircraft had a 1,000 gallon herbicide tank, feeding to dispersal spray booms mounted under each wing and the tail. Spray missions were flown at 130 knots and as low as possible, leaving a herbicide path more than eighty yards wide and up to ten miles long. Ranch Hand Providers normally carried a crew of three or four in addition to a Vietnamese observer. The Vietnamese was, ostensibly, the aircraft commander as required by the Rules of Engagement.
In January, 1968, Ranch Hand flew 589 sorties before standing down for the traditional Vietnamese Tet holiday. This brief respite ended abruptly on 31 January, when their airbase at Ben Hoa (and every other city in South Vietnam) was attacked by Viet Cong forces in the largest coordinated enemy offensive of the war seen to date. In response the Ranch Hands crew flew 2,866 emergency airlift sorties throughout the country.
Defoliant missions resumed two months later and in May, a fifth Ranch Hand aircraft was downed with all hands lost after encountering heavy fire. Also in May, the first UC-123K arrived. The K-model boosted the -123's twin piston engine power with an additional two, J-85 jet auxiliary engines mounted under the wings; much appreciated insurance as it improved the odds for survivability in the event of single-engine loss.
On 1 August 1968, the 12th Air Commando Squadron became the 12th special Operations Squadron (12 SOS), and in February 1969, all operational Ranch Hand aircraft were moved north from Bien Hoa to Phan Rang in anticipation of another Viet Cong Tet offensive. In spite of increased enemy activity the unit continued to fly herbicide missions without loss.
By April 1969, all Ranch Hand aircraft had been modified to the K-model version. Ground fire was still a problem, however, and in July, new escort tactics were adopted. propeller-driven A-1 Skyraiders would provide flank protection while F-4 jet fighters orbited overhead to attack enemy positions after the spray pass. The new tactics proved successful in reducing the number of hits Ranch Hand aircraft took on when escorted in this fashion.
As 1969 wound down, so did Ranch Hand missions. From an average of 400 sorties per month in 1969, the number of sorties decreased to only 43 in the last quarter of 1970. the 12th SOS was inactivated on 31 July 1970, with the UC-123Ks becoming "A" Flight, 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron. Ranch Hand flew its last mission defoliant mission on 7 January 1971, passing out of existence later that month.
In nine years of defoliant operations, Ranch Hand aircraft and crews had dispensed between 17.7 and 19.4 million gallons of herbicide in Southeast Asia. Just over half, approximately 10.6 to 11.7 million gallons, was the controversial herbicide "Agent Orange."
President Gerald Ford issued Executive Order #11850 on April 8th, 1975, renouncing first use of herbicides in war by the United States, except for control of vegetation on and around the defensive perimeters of U.S. bases. With this order, President Ford ensured that an operation like Project Ranch Hand could never happen again.
Description This period was from June 29, 1966-March 8, 1967.
On June 29. 1966. the USAF bombed petroleum storage and distribution facilities for the first time in the immediate vicinity of Hanoi and Haiphong, afThis period was from June 29, 1966-March 8, 1967.
On June 29. 1966. the USAF bombed petroleum storage and distribution facilities for the first time in the immediate vicinity of Hanoi and Haiphong, after political leaders authorized limited and specific strikes within the buffer zones for these cities. Gen. William W. Mornyer replaced General Moore as Seventh Air Force Commander on July 1. The United States expanded the Rotuvo Tttunoca campaign as of July 9 to include petroleum targets in the northeast and rail lines and highways between China and Hlanoi. although the buffer zone on the border limited targets. American aircraft also flew armed reconnaissance over North Vietnam.
On July 30, 1966. the USAF bombed targets in the demilitarized zone (DMZ) to counter the build-up of North Vietnamese forces there. By September the U.S. air campaign against North Vietnam had destroyed or damaged two-thirds of the enemy's petroleum storage capacity.
Several thousand trucks and watercraft, hundreds of rail ears and bridges and numerous ammunition and supply storage areas. Beginning on February 14, 1967. USAF aircraft hit additional strategic targets in North Vietnam, knocking out major power plants. and railyard repair facilities. But these results had little effect on the enemy’s ability to carry on the war, because the country possessed only a small industrial base and imported most of its military materiel.
In the face of extensive air attacks. North Vietnam further strengthened its air defenses. By January 1967, the United States had lost 455
aircraft within 2 years. Antiaircraft guns and SAMs accounted for most of the losses, but MiGs continued to challenge U.S. air strikes. On January 2 the Seventh Air Force enticed a large MiG-21 force over North Vietnam into battle against F-4s. The USAF pilots destroyed 7 MiGs within 12 minutes without a loss. Four days later, on January 6. the Seventh destroyed 2 more MiGs. and the North Vietnamese temporarily abandoned aerial combat to regroup and retrain.
In South Vietnam Allied forces continued search and destroy operations. blunting new Viet Cong and North Vietnamese offensives. Between July I4 and August 4, 1966. U.S. Marines and South Vietnamese troops battled North Vietnam Army forces near Quang Tri. 20 miles south of the DMZ. Later. between October I5 and November 26. the Allies engaged in a major battle with Viet Cong and NVA forces northwest of Tay Ninh. near the Cambodian border. 60 miles northwest of Saigon. Enemy resistance was light at first. but on November 4th as ARVN and U.S. troops approached storage areas. the Viet Cong and NVA counterattacked. The Allies responded by airlifting more troops, including elements of the U.S. Army's 1st' 4th, and 25th Infantry Divisions. and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The USAF provided close air support. and between November 8 and 25. B-52s bombed targets in the area. The Allies drove the enemy from the region temporarily. seizing weapons. ammunition. food. and other supplies that the Communist forces left behind.
The next year. between February and May 1967, U.S. Army units joined ARVN forces to return to Tay Ninh Province. about 50 miles north of Saigon and 15 miles northeast of Tay Ninh. Seventh Air Force C-130s dropped American paratroopers near the Cambodian border to cut off the Viet Cong retreat. The airlifters also flew reinforcements and supplies to the ground troops during this operation. With the help of forward air controllers flying O-1s. Air Force F-100 and F-4 pilots provided close air support. and AC-47 gunship crews illuminated targets and conducted air strikes at night. Again, the enemy withdrew into Canbodia. Leaving behind weapons, supplies. and ammunition.
In the panhandle of Laos, the USAF pounded enemy forces on the l-lo Chi Minh Trail. while in northern Laos U.S. pilots supported Allied forces under attack. By August 1966 Laotian troops fighting Pathet Lao insurgents had advanced. with the aid of U.S. close air support. to Nam Bae. only 45 miles west of the North Vietnamese border and about 55 miles northeast of Luang Prabang, an ancient city on the Mekong River some 130 miles north of Vientiane. The Laotian gains were short lived, however, and by February 2. 1967, the insurgents had regained lost territory and were in a position to attack the airfield at Luang Prabang.... More
Criteria The United States Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M-16 rifle, M-4 carbine or the individuals AFSC's (dut... The United States Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M-16 rifle, M-4 carbine or the individuals AFSC's (duty) designated handgun weapon. The ribbon is issued in only one degree; however, a bronze service star may be worn on the ribbon for those who have qualified expert on both the service rifle and handgun. MoreHide
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