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Combat Skyspot

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 (Vietnam • Laos • Cambodia); Arc Light
TypeGround-directed bombing operation
Location
Sites in Laos, South Vietnam, Thailand
Commanded byUnited States Air Force (USAF)
United States Marine Corps (USMC)
TargetCambodia, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Thailand
Date1965-1973
Executed by7th Air Force coordinator: Lt Col Robert C. Seitzberg[3]: 34 
1CEVG Det. 15[4]
LS-85: Lt Col Gerald Clayton
USMC
CasualtiesAt least 21, additional remains identified killed

Combat Skyspot was the ground-directed bombing (GDB) operation of the Vietnam War by the United States Air Force using Bomb Directing Centrals and by the United States Marine Corps using Course Directing Centrals ("MSQ-77 and 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[7] to the radar sites, handoff of the bomber from air controllers (e.g., a DASC) to the site, tracking the aircraft by radiating the bomber (e.g., activating the 400 Watt 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.

  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. ^ Cite error: The named reference Castle was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ "Detachment - Location - Call Sign" (data table). MobileRadar.org. Retrieved 2012-07-09.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference Rowley was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Why Air Forces Fail: Learning From History Lessons (PDF), AFA.org (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 "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.

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