Description: THIS ITEM MEASURES 3 IN X 3.5 IN. Operations Linebacker and Linebacker II initiated the end of the Southeast Asia War. During those offensives, U.S. airpower stopped the North Vietnamese ground offensive and B-52s vigorously bombed previously untouched targets in North Vietnam. The Wild Weasels challenged North Vietnamese defenses that had been heavily built up over the course of three and a half years.In the spring of 1972 the U.S. renewed large-scale bombing of North Vietnam in response to the communist Easter Offensive against South Vietnam. Since the end of Rolling Thunder in 1968, the North Vietnamese had developed their fighter forces and created an integrated defense system of mutually supporting early warning radar, AAA and SAM sites. By 1972 the North Vietnamese had more than 200 SA-2 launchers, extending their coverage into parts of South Vietnam.To assist the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron, the USAF sent over part of the F-105G-equipped 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron -- together they totaled 28 F-105 Wild Weasel aircraft. In addition to these, the USAF introduced the F-4C Wild Weasel IV to combat during Linebacker.Efforts to make the F-4C a Wild Weasel aircraft started in 1966, but developmental problems prevented it from being fielded until the spring of 1969. One F-4C Wild Weasel unit, the 67th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, sent six F-4C Wild Weasels to Korat, Thailand, in September 1972. Used in southern North Vietnam during Linebacker, the F-4C Wild Weasel aircrews effectively supported strikes around Hanoi during Linebacker II, flying 460 sorties in Southeast Asia without loss.Linebacker II, the most concentrated air campaign against North Vietnam, began on Dec. 18, 1972, after the communists again stalled at the peace table. Over half the targets were within 25 miles of Hanoi, protected by some of the densest air defenses in the world. Even so, the Wild Weasels, along with other anti-SAM measures, kept SA-2 losses relatively low, without any losses to themselves. In 1972, the year of Linebacker and Linebacker II, the North Vietnamese fired over 4,000 SA-2s -- nearly half the total they fired during the entire war -- shooting down 49 U.S. aircraft (meaning it took over 80 SA-2s to down one aircraft).For orders of multiple items, please ask (or wait) for a revised invoice with reduced shipping charge BEFORE paying.Due to global pandemic and USPS reduction of services, mail delivery is slowing down. Please allow extra time. YOUR ITEM WILL BE SHIPPED WITHIN 24 HOURS UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR PAYMENT.FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS ONLY: WE WILL SHIP BY 1st CLASS MAIL. IF YOU FIND SOMETHING WRONG, PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE LEAVING A NEUTRAL OR NEGATIVE FEEDBACK AND WE WILL TRY TO MAKE IT RIGHT. REFUND WILL BE FOR PURCHASE PRICE ONLY. WE DO APPRECIATE YOUR BUSINESS. THANKS Powered by eBay Turbo Lister The free listing tool. List your items fast and easy and manage your active items. PLEASE GIVE US AT LEAST 24 HOURS TO RESPOND BEFORE LEAVING NEGATIVE FEEDBACK OR OPENING AN EBAY DISPUTE. THANK YOU.
Price: 12.98 USD
Location: Arlington, Texas
End Time: 2024-08-24T19:33:47.000Z
Shipping Cost: 1.3 USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: 10%
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Type: Patches
