FACs
• Intro Video
More About FACs
The AO
A Shau Valley
• A Shau SF Camp
Hué
• Hué Cit Airfield
• MACV Compound
• Hué Goose
• MACV Teams Newsletters
• LCU Ramp
Battle of Hué (Tet 1968)
• Trail FACs
The Missions
Visual Recon
• Sunken Sampan
Close Air Support
• CAS Munitions
• Rules of Engagement
• TACS
• Battle at Hua Cu
Interdiction
• McNamara Line
• Choke Points
Ranch Hand
Trail Dust Mission
Arc Light
SAR
Hammer 51 Rescue
Search for Jolly 23
• Msn Reports
• Search Area Map
• Search Rejoined
• Jolly Green 23 Found!
• Link to Past
Jungle Penetrator
Legacies
Aircraft
O-2A
Contact: tom@pilsch.com
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During the Vietnam War when a forward air contoller (FAC) was directing an
airstrike and had briefed the fighter aircraft, and all participants had identified the
target and the location of friendly forces, the FAC issued this clearance to strike the
target:
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You're Cleared in Hot!
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This site presents an overview of air operations throughout South
Vietnam during the conflict there as seen through eyes of a forward
air controller or FAC.
It is intended as a supporting resource for a general course of
study on the Vietnam War.
While there are personal anecdotes included in this narrative, this
is not a journal of my wartime experiences.
I can provide only a limited personal perspective on the Vietnam
War, specifically, that of a U.S. Air Force forward air controller
in the northern two provinces of the Republic of Vietnam during 1968
and 1969. In this site I will attempt to expand on these
experiences through links to other resources.
Helicopter operations are not covered here. The outstanding
efforts of airmen from all services in rotary wing units are
documented extensively elsewhere, and links to those sites are
provided. Similarly, the lack of coverage of the South
Vietnamese, Australian and Republic of Korea forces is not intended
to diminish their contribution. Where possible, links will be
provided to appropriate sites. Later additions to this site
will cover the air war over North Vietnam and the out of country
interdiction effort.
Dedication
This site is dedicated to the past and the future.
It is dedicated to the airmen of all services and all nations who were lost in the Southeast Asia conflict.
May the lessons for which they paid such a high price help guide us into the future.
It also is dedicated to the students of today who seek to learn these lessons.
May my efforts here contribute to their understanding.
Tom Pilsch
Trail 32
May 1968-April 1969
Contact Tom at: tom@pilsch.com (not a hyperlink)
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