The Naval Air War in Virtnam

Author: Peter Mersky & Norman Polmar
Publisher: Nautical & Aviation Pub
Edition: Second
Cover: Soft
ISBN: 0-933852-55-X
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Synopsis: Peter Mersky and Norman Polmar provide a comprehensive analysis of United States Navy and Marine Corps aviation operations during the Vietnam War, examining how carrier-based and land-based naval aviation contributed to the overall war effort while developing new tactics and technologies for modern aerial warfare. This authoritative study chronicles the evolution of naval aviation doctrine and capabilities throughout the conflict's duration. The authors document the challenges of conducting sustained combat operations from aircraft carriers operating in the hostile environment of the Gulf of Tonkin, including the logistical and technical difficulties of maintaining air operations under combat conditions. The book examines the development of specialized tactics for naval aviation missions, including strike operations against heavily defended targets, air-to-air combat with sophisticated enemy fighters, and close air support for ground forces. Mersky and Polmar analyze the effectiveness of different aircraft types in naval service, from the versatile F-4 Phantom II to specialized attack aircraft like the A-6 Intruder and A-7 Corsair II. The work chronicles major naval aviation operations, including the response to the Gulf of Tonkin incident and sustained bombing campaigns against North Vietnamese targets. The authors examine the coordination between Navy and Air Force operations, showing how joint missions evolved to maximize combined effectiveness while minimizing conflicts over target priorities and tactical approaches. The book documents the challenges of operating from both aircraft carriers and land bases, analyzing how different operational environments affected mission planning and execution. The work explores the development of precision-guided munitions and advanced navigation systems that improved the accuracy and effectiveness of naval aviation strikes. Mersky and Polmar analyze the role of electronic warfare and defense suppression missions in protecting strike aircraft from increasingly sophisticated enemy air defenses. The book examines the training and personnel systems that sustained naval aviation operations throughout the prolonged conflict, including the development of specialized schools and training programs. The authors document the human cost of naval aviation operations, honoring aircrew who gave their lives while examining how casualties affected unit morale and operational effectiveness. The work analyzes the intelligence gathering and reconnaissance missions that provided crucial information for planning and executing air operations throughout Southeast Asia. The book explores the technological innovations developed during the conflict, showing how combat experience drove improvements in aircraft systems, weapons, and tactics. The authors examine the post-war assessment of naval aviation effectiveness, analyzing how Vietnam experiences influenced subsequent doctrine development and aircraft procurement. Through comprehensive research and balanced analysis, this work demonstrates how naval aviation adapted to the unique challenges of limited warfare while maintaining the professional excellence and operational effectiveness that characterized American maritime air power throughout the conflict.

The Naval Air War in Virtnam, is one of the many primary source materials in the Army Air Corps Museum collection.