Aerial Photographs
I saw that the U.S. bombing of North Vietnam did little to stave off political turmoil or attract enough attention to raise the morale of Saigonese.
Post Strike Photo- Bac Giang (363-02378)
Post-Strike photo of Bac Giang thermo power plant taken March 11 during a coordinated strike from three aircraft carriers. The plant. Located 23 miles from Hanoi, was hit from A6 Intruders from Kitty Hawk and other Navy carrier based planes.
Enemy Missile (363-02379)
An ememy surface to air missle is photographed in flight by the crew of an RA5C Vigilante Photo Reconnaissance plane. The carrier based vilgilante was on a recon mission west of Hai, Duong, July, 2, when the SAM was photogrpahed.
Hai Duong Soccer Stadium (363-02380)
Aerial photogrpah taken by U.S Navy reconnaisance aircraft showing SAM site in the Hai Duong soccer stadium midway bewteeen Hanoi and Haiphong. Photograph graphically shows North Vietnam’s location of an Air Defence site in a populated area.
Pinpoint Bombing (363-02384)
Pinpoint Bombing – bombs strike the Hoang Mai rail siding, 23 miles north-northwest of Hanoi, hitting an estimated 15 pieces of rolling rock, two 10-car trains and support buildings. The Air Force pilots unloaded their bombs on the west and center portions at the sidings June 11.
Huong Vi Railroad (363-02385)
Air Force Bombardment – Dense smoke billows skyward at Huong Vi railroad yars, 36 miles northeast of Hanoi, after Air Force F-105 Thunderchief pilots unloaded their bomb payloads on the facility. Air Force strikes, such as the one pictured above, are part of the continuous pressue being applied to North Vietnam’s lines of communications to halt the flow of war materials to the South.
Railroad Bridge Knocked Out (363-02386)
Railroad bridge knocked out – bombs from F-105 Thunderchiefs of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing Impact on the Ha Gia railroad bridge, 20 miles north of Hanoi. The bridge’s center sectuib and south end were severly damaged during the strike yesterday.
Railroad Bypass Bridge (363-02387)
Railroad bypass bridge – high flying air force aerial reconnaissance pilots photographed the Dong Phong Thuong railroad bypass bridge undergoing intensive repairs in the western part of North Vietnam.
Hit Son Tay Army Supply Area (363-02388)
On target – Bombs from Air Firce F-105 Thunderchiefs hit on target during the March 26 strike at the Son Tay Army supply area, North Vietnam, during the Strike, 23 miles west of Hanoi, Colonel Robert R. Scott, 355th Tactical Fighter Wing Commander, chalked up his first MIG kill, bring the Air Force total of confirmed MIG kills for the Vietnam war to 30, and two probables.
Recon Jet Photographs MIGS on Airfield (363-02389)
MIGS on Ramp – An unarmed Air Force reconnaissance jet photogrpahed five MIG-17s parked at the Hoa Lac Airfield near Hanoi in a daylight mission over North Vietnam. The airfield is protected by a series of anti-aircraft gun batteries (upper left). Air Firce reconnaissance pilots keep a constant watch over North Vietnam airfields.
Fishbed (363-02390)
The communist-build Mig-21 “Fishbed” jet fighter has stepped up its appearance over North Vietnamese targets recenently. The one above was photographed near Hanoi. The aircraft set a sped record in Oct. 1959 of 1,484 mph. Flying in March 2, it has a combat radius of 375 miles. The basic load used by the communist jet is two air-to-air heat seeking missles. It can also carry a 30mm cannon.
Truck Convoy (363-02391)
An Air force reconnaiassance pilot photographed this truck convoy heading northwest on Route, 106, 50 miles north of the Democration line near Cu Hap, North Vietnam. Of the 12 turkcs, five are turning into a truck park located approximately 150 yards east of the highway.
Pontoon Bridge (363-02392)
An Air Force reconnaissance pilot photographed this newly constructed pontoon bridge on the Son Chay River near Doan Hung, Norh Vietnam, approximately 60 miles northwest of Hanoi. The pontoon bridge has 19 sections supported by sandbar at mid-river. Most permanent type bridges in North Vietnam have been rendered unservicable by attacking air Force tactical fighter-bombers.
F-105 Thunderchiefs (363-02393)
Flights of F-105 Thunderchiefs, simliar to those shown above, yesterday (March 19), bombed the Viet Tri thermal power plant 38 miles north of Vietnam capital with 500 pund bombs. The Power plants jointly produce 28 per cent of the electrical power in North Vietnam.
North Vietnam Auxiliary Field (363-02394)
Unaware of the roving camera eye of an Air Force reconnaissance pilot, this North Vietnamese auxiliary landing strip is being repaired following a strike by U.S. Air Force tactical aircraft. Two trucks and an earth-grading machine are in the center of the strip, packing and leveling the earth. Off the runway, (top of photo) is an unidentified destroyed aircraft. Reconnaissance aircraft constantly prowl the skies of North Vietnam seeking out targets for Air Force strike aircraft and recording post stirke bomb damage.
Power Plant (363-02395)
The Viet Tri thermal power plant, 29 miles northwest of Hanoi, was the target (March 19), for Air Force F-105 Thunderchief pilots from the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. Flying under the low handing clouds, the pilots hit the plant which produces 11 per cent of the electrical power to North Vietnam.
Bombed Trench (363-02396)
Jets bomb trench – After tactical fighter-bombers made direct hits on a trench sheltering enemy forces, Air Force reconnaissance jet photos reveal the bomb damage. The photo was taken in South Vietnam.
POL Area (363-02397)
Pol Area Bombed – Heavy black smoke clouds billow into the sky as Air Force reconnaissance jets take this photo of a North Vietnam POL fuel storage area immediately after it was struck by tactical fighter bombers.
Steel Plant (363-02398)
Steel Plant – An unarmed Air Force reconnaissance jet photographed this section of the Thai Nguygen Steel Plant, 38 miles north of Hanoi. Enemy barges are clearly visible (top left) as well as petroleum-oil and lubricant tanks (right) and bridge girders (left). The steel plant, which has been hit several times in the past few months, produces a major portion of North Vietnams steel supply.
Road Interdiction (363-02399)
A direct hit is scored by an Air Force tactical fighter jets on one of the North Vietnam highways leading into South Vietnam. North Vietnam truck convoys have been using the road to transport supplies to the Viet Cong. The aerial reconnaissance photo also shows anti-aircraft gun positions on both sides of the interdicted road.
Kep Railroad Yard (363-02400)
Dense smoke and dust – Air Force reconnaissance photographs taken shortly after the air raid on the Kep railroad yard, 39 miles northeast of Hanoi, revealed the thick smoke and dust kicked up by the heavy bombardment. Air Force F-105 Thundercheif pilots triggered numerous secondary explosions and ignited several large fires during thier bombing strike April 20.
Hai Phong Thermo Power Plant (363-02401)
Damage assement photograph taken from a VF-213 Aircraft during a strike on Hai Phong Thermo Power Plant West on 20 April 1967, large smoke and dust clouds envelope the power plant as the plant is being struck by Air Wing Eleven pilots from the attack carrier Kitty Hawk, USS Kitty Hawk is presently off the coast of North Vietnam.
F-105’s Drop Ordinance (363-02402)
An Air Force reconnaissance aircraft took this unusual photogrpah of three F-105 Thunderchiefs dropping their bomb-load simultaneously during an air strike over North Vietnam.
Tonkin Gulf
Tonkin Gulf
Bombing of Vien Rail Classification Yard (363-02407)
Bomb craters cover the Yen Vien railroad classification yard, 10 km (6 miles) east-northeast of Hanoi, in this picture take by an Air force reconnaissance pilot. The complex was hit Aug. 21, by F-105 Thunderchief pilots and F-4 Phantom crews of the 355th and 8th Tactical Fighter Wings. Numerous boxcars were wrecked and the center of the yard torn up. Numerous anit-aircraft artillery sites surround the rail facility.
Strike on Kep Airfield (363-02408)
Minutes after an attack by other aircraft of air wing nince from the USS Enterprise, an rA-5C Vigilante obtained this photograph of burning MIG’s in Revetments at Kep military Airfield May 21. Four MIG’s were burned on the ground during the attacks and airfiled facilities received considerable damage. The pilot and Navigator of the reconnaissance vigilante were, lt. commander John H. Fowkles of Hanover, Vierginia and Lt. John Capewell Jr. of Trenton, NJ.
Tri Dong Highway Bridge (363-02411)
Photo show remains of the Tri Dong Highway Bridge 38 miles South of Hanoi after strike by USS Bon Homme Richard pilots on 11 July 1967. Brdige was knocked out in an earlier raid but rebuilt. The 11 July attacked knocked down one span and damaged the rest. Bombed areas at top left and right of photo are anti-aricraft sites. LTJG Stephan R. Gray, Okla. on strike with other pilots of attack squadron 212, was Lemoore Calif., said “we got some direct hits I could see pieces of the bridge flying through the air.”
Surface to Air Missiles (363-02412)
A surface to air missle is fired against U.S Navy aircraft in the vicinity of Hai Duong, North Vietnam, the missle was fired from a heavily populated area. No damage was inflicted upon the navy aircraft as the SAM exploded prematurely over the city of Hai Duong.
Missiles Destroyed (363-02414)
F4B Phantoms and A4C Skywaks successfully hit the missile holding area with 500-pound bombs and rockets. The photo shows nince of the ten missiles were destroyed by the Enterprise pilots. Photos were taken despite heavy AAA fire from five placements.
Pilots Examine Damage (363-02415)
Commanding officer, Cdr. Philip J. Ryan, 39, of Goodhue, Minn., and his navigator, Lt. (j.g.) James E. Owne, 24, of Hartford, Conn., examine damage sustained by their RA-5C Viligante while obtaining photo reconnaissance of the damage inflicted by planes from USS Enterprise on SAM missile complex, 50 miles southwest of Hanoi.
Death of an MIG (363-02416)
Saigon – Firing his 20mm cannon at point-blank range, Major Kuster hits the left wing of the MIG near the fuselage and it bursts into flame. The major’s F-105 passed 15 to feet below the flaming MIG.
57mm Positions (363-02417)
57mm Positions – This anti-aircraft site near the Hoa Loc airfield, 23 miles west of Hanoi, contains six 57mm positions. There are also numerous POL trucks in the area. U.S. Air Force reconnaissance jets maintain a contant surveillance over the communist airfields in North Vietnam to note any increase in MIG activity.
AA Site (363-02418)
AA Site – This photograph of a typical communist anti-aircraft site was taken by a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft. This site is near the Hoa Loc airfield, 23 miles west of Hanoi. The site has nine 57mm gun placements and support facilities. Air Force reconnaissance jets continually patrol the skies near the MIG airfields to detect any increase in communist aircraft activity.
Four F4Bs (363-02419)
Four F4B’s streak across the sky in formation towards their targets, in North Vietnam. The squadron is VF-114 which is deployed aboard the USS Kitty Hawk.
Tram Bac Oil Storage Area 1 (363-02420)
Aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard in the Gulf of Tonkin. This series of six pictures shows the Tram Bac OII Storage Area, located about six miles west of Haiphong in North Vietnam, exploding after pilots from this 7th Fleet attack aircraft carrier destroyed the site with 500-pound bombs. The photographs were made by a camera mounted in a navy A4E Skyhawk jet at an altitude of 3,00 feet on July 7 pilot of the aircraft, LTJG Billy W. Putnam, 274, of Winston, Salem, N.C. reported seeing several secondary fires and smoke cover the targer after the attack. Bombers were from attack squadrons 76 and 212.
Tram Bac Oil Storage Area 2 (363-02421)
Aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard in the Gulf of Tonkin. This series of six pictures shows the Tram Bac OII Storage Area, located about six miles west of Haiphong in North Vietnam, exploding after pilots from this 7th Fleet attack aircraft carrier destroyed the site with 500-pound bombs. The Photographs were made by a camera mounted in a Navy A4E Skyhawk jet at an altitude of 3,000 feet on July 7 pilot of the aircraft, LTJG Billy W. Putnam, 27, of Winston Salem, N.C., reported seeing several secondary fires and smoke cover the targer after the attack. Bombers were from attack sqadrons 76 and 212.
Tram Bac Oil Storage Area 3 (363-02422)
Aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard in the Gulf of Tonkin. This series of six pictures shows the Tram Bac OII Storage Area, located about six miles west of Haiphong in North Vietnam, exploding after pilots from this 7th Fleet attack aircraft carrier destroyed the site with 500-pound bombs. The photographs wer made by a camera mounted in a Navy A4E Skyhawk jet at an altitude of 3,000 feet on July 7 pilot of the aircraft, LTJG Billy W. Putnam, 27, of Winston, Salem, N.C., reported seeing several secondary fires and smoke cover the target after the attack. Bombers were from attack squadrons 76 and 212.
Tram Bac Oil Storage Area 4 (363-02423)
Aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard in the Gulf of Tonkin. This series of six pictures shows the Tram Bac OII Storage Area, located about six miles west of Haiphong in North Vietnam, exploding after pilots from this 7th Fleet attack aircraft carrier destroyed the site with 500-pound bombs. The photographs were made by a camera mounted in a Navy A4E Skyhawk jet at an altitude of 3,000 feet on July 7, pilot of the aircraft, LTJG Billy W. Putnam, 27, of Winston, Salem, N.C., reported seeing several secondary fires and smoke cover the target after the attack. Bombers were from attack squadrons 76 and 212.
Tram Bac Oil Storage Area 5 (363-02424)
Aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard in the Gulf of Tonkin. This series of six pictures shows the Tram Bac OII Storage Area, located about six miles west of Haiphong in North Vietnam, exploding after pilots from this 7th Fleet attack aircraft carrier destroyed the site with 500-pound bombs. The photographs were made by a camera mounted in a Navy A4E Skyhawk jet at an altitude of 3,000 feet on July 7, pilot of the aircraft, LTJG Billy W. Putnam, 27, of Winston, Salem, N.C., reported seeing several secondary fires and smoke cover the target after the attack. Bombers were from attack squadrons 76 and 212.
Tram Bac Oil Storage Area 6 (363-02425)
Aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard in the Gulf of Tonkin. This series of six pictures shows the Tram Bac OII Storage Area, located about six miles west of Haiphong in North Vietnam, exploding after pilots from this 7th Fleet attack aircraft carrier destroyed the site with 500-pound bombs. The photographs were made by a camera mounted in a Navy A4E Skyhawk jet at an altitude of 3,000 feet on July 7 pilot of the aircraft, LTJG Billy W. Putnam, 27, of Winston, Salem, N.C. Reported seeing several secondary fires and smoke cover the target after the attack. Bombers were from attack squadrons 76 and 212.
Vehicle Mounted Weapons (363-02426)
Vehicle Mounted Weapons – This Air Force reconnaissance photograph reveals six mobile, vehicle-mounted anti-aircraft weapons (4 reveted), with a reveted central fire control area. Seven troop and support tents are located throughout the area.
MIGS Revealed (363-02427)
MIGs revealed – This Air Force reconnaissance photograph reveals three Russian-built MIG-17 fighter aircraft at an airfield in North Vietnam. The aircraft parking area at rights shows one of the aircraft being serviced.
Post Strike Photo (363-02430)
Post Strike Photo – After massive bombardment of the site, spearheaded by Air Force F-4C Phantom crews, the communist SAM site was copletely destroyed. Secondary explosions were observed in each of six launch sites within the complex and numerous other secondaries was triggered in areas immediately adjacent. The air strikes were made through intense enemy 37 and 57mm anti-aircraft fire.
Highway Bridge Cut (363-02431)
Highway Bridge Cut – An Air Force reconnaissance jet photographed the Hanoi railroad and highway bridge shortly after it was cut by F-105 Thundercheif pilots. Struck for the second time in less than a week the bridge serves these only railway link between Hanoi and the three railroads north, northwest, and northeast of Hanoi.
This is How We Did It (363-02432)
This is How We Did It – Air Force Major Robert G. Dilger, 34, of Tampa Fla., an F-4C Phantom aircraft commander (right) and his pilot, First Lieutenant Mack Thies, 26, of Houston (center), explain to Lieutenant Colonel Hoyt S. Vandenberg Jr., 38, Washington, D.C., how they forced down a MIG-17 during an aerial dogfight over North Vietnam yesterday (May 1). Colonel Vandenberg is the commander is the commander of the 390th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Da Nang air base. The MIG kill was the second for the 390th in a week and the 36th confirmed Air Force Kill.
Navy F-8 Crusader (363-02433)
A U.S. Navy F-8 “Crusader” leaves the flight deck of the USS Bon Homme Richard (CVA-31) At dawn, for a strike mission against North Vietnam.
Pre Strike Photo (363-02434)
Pre-Strike Photo – Kep Airfield, 37 miles northeast of Hanoi, as it appeared July, 31 1966 when photographed by an RA5C Vigilante of Heavy Attack Reconnaissance Squadron 13.
Explosion at Kep Airfield (363-02435)
Explosions – Kep airfield, 37 miles northeast of Hanoi, as explosions blasted the runway a daylight strike by Navy jets from attack carrier USS Kitty Hawk.
Pre Strike Photo (363-02714)
Pre-Strike Photograph of the Haiphong Bridge SSE taken prior to the strike by Oriskany’s carrier air wing sixteen pilots on 4 September.
Post Strike Photo (363-02715)
Post-Strike photograph taken after the strike by pilots from Oriskany’s carrier air wing sixteen against the Haiphong Highway Bridge SSE, two miles south of the North Vietnamese Prot City on 4 September. The northern end of the bridge is completely destroyed and spans were dropped in the water.