Intruder Tactics Mid-60's

Wings of Gold, Summer 2004 by Owens, Rupe

On April 19, 1966, according to an official report, two A6As from VA-85 aboard Kitty Hawk executed an imaginative, night low level radar attack on Uong Bi resulting in large secondary explosions, fires and showers of sparks after releasing 26,000 pounds of MK83 low drag general purpose bombs. Later, CTF77 determined the reconstruction of the power plant following the VA-85 attacks was nearing completion and the target was ready for another hit. Constellation conducted a major strike against the facility on August 10, 1966. Due to earlier successes with bombing attacks since arrival in May, the Ship's Targeting Officer assigned the strike to VA-65. This was quite fortuitous for the squadron because it enabled employment of the All-Weather Coordinated Strike Tactic against a tailor-made major industrial target area.

Reviewing the photo intelligence and other targeting information, the squadron recommended and received approval to conduct a coordinated night strike with three A-6As. The aircrews selected three run-in headings oriented toward maximizing facility damage. The target provided two primary aim points: the transformer yard and the power generation hall.

The transformer yard run-in from the west would permit the 28 500 pounders to flow through the yard and into the hall. The aircrew planned a bomb stick length of 200 by 90 feet with a train of multiple ejector rack (MER) salvo releases from the five MERs. Taking advantage of the generator hall NNE/SSW orientation, targeting at either end with the lines of attack along the major axis of the building appeared to be the most effective aspect. Two A-6As approached these assigned release points from roughly opposite headings. All three aircraft planned to be on time and on target simultaneously to achieve major damage to the generation facility. Selected bomb fusing, spacing and salvo sequencing of five 2,000 pound bombs assured destruction of the generator hall.

Reviewing the after action photography, one can see the large number of bomb craters in the area clearly illustrating the devastating results of previous raids. New impacts in the transformer yard confirm direct hits on this primary target with follow-on impacts occurring along the line of attack and into the generator hall. Compared to the pre-strike photo, the generator hall was totally destroyed. The aircrews debriefed this event firm in their belief that all weapons had released simultaneously. En route and target defenses were significant but ineffective due to the low level ingress. The coordinated strike tactic ensured the maximum amount of ordnance impacted the target in a minimum amount of time while limiting exposure to the air defenses.

In summary, the VA-65 Night and All-Weather Coordinated Attack Tactic consisted of these elements:

* Multiple A-6As (up to four) individually targeted against separate adjacent aim points.

* A coordinated time over target wherein all (up to four) would release bombs simultaneously.

* Following a low altitude, high-speed approach to the target, the pilot would establish the Intruder at the prescribed bombing altitude for release of multiple stores (up to 28 Mk 82 GP bombs). Immediately after release, the pilot would execute a sharp roll into 60 or more degrees of bank, apply stick pressure to maintain two-g level flight and achieve at least 60 degrees of heading change in the direction away from other aircraft in the attack.