U.S. Air Force Losses in the Vietnam War Quiz

Answer: 15

Poor planning and poor micromanagement from Strategic Air Command (SAC) at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska brought about staggering losses of the large B-52D/G/H Stratofortress heavy bombers. As the air campaign continued the crews flying the missions began to express their dislike of the continued same poor tactics by SAC, especially while the tactical fighter bombers of Tactical Air Command (TAC) continually adjusted there tactics to keep North Vietnam off balance with different approaches to target, different altitude, and SAC flew the same, day in and day out.

Answer: 382

Air Force F-4C/D/E combat losses; 33 to MiG fighters; 30 to Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAM), and 307 to multiple forms of ground fire.

Answer: 4

Lost to Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) and air-to-air combat.

Answer: 12

There were 41 AC-47D aircraft assigned to the 4th Special Operation Squadron; 12 were lost due to hostile fire of various types. During the period that Spooky flew gun and flare support missions there were no indications that a single village or hamlet lost while it was on station.

Answer: 3

The F-102 Delta Dagger aircraft were meant to be fighter interceptors for other aircraft. In this role one was lost to a MiG-21 missiles and the other two aircraft were lost to ground fire performing ground attack. All aircraft were assigned to the 509th Fighter Interceptor Squadron.

Answer: 150

The A-1 Skyraider, or "Sandy" aircraft as they were named by U.S. Air Force crews, were aircraft specifically used as helicopter escort for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) due to the large variety of weapons they could carry, and the ability to remain on station for extended periods, coupled with the almost fearless flying of their aircrews made for a formidable weapon system.

Answer: 198

Prior to the F-4 Phantom II aircraft deployment to Southeast Asia, the F-100C/D/E/F Super Sabre aircraft were responsible for protecting F-105D Thunderchiefs from MiGs during bombing raids over North Vietnam; also provided Fast Forward Air Control (FAC) for bombing and close air support to ground troops in South Vietnam.

Answer: 320

F-105D Thunderchief, or "Thuds" were responsible for nearly all Air Force bombing missions over North Vietnam, and 283 F-105D aircraft were lost to combat. An additional 37 specialized F-105F/G Wild Weasel aircraft responsible for Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses were lost to combat as well.

Answer: 17

The largest of the Aerospace Rescue and Recovery helicopters operated by the Air Force, it provided extended range, heavier armor, and additional weapons. The Super Jolly was one of the last aircraft lost during the Vietnam War, one went down over Thailand with five crew members and 18 Security Policemen of the 56th Security Police Squadron (SPS) flying to join other 56th SPS members to recapture the SS Mayaguez in May 1975.

Answer: 4

There were a total of four Spectre aircraft lost, all in combat to hostile ground fire.