Nixon's Trident: Naval Power in Southeast Asia, 1968-1972 : Naval Power in Southeast Asia, 1968-1972

This commemoration booklet focuses on naval air power during the final years of the Vietnam War. For much of this period, Navy aircraft sought to hamper the flow of supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos—a huge investment in air power resources that ultimately proved fruitless. After North Vietnam's invasion of the South in 1972, however, Navy tactical aviation, as well as naval gunfire support, proved critical, not only in blunting the offensive but also in persuading North Vietnam to arrive at a peace agreement in Paris in1973. The Navy's forward presence saved the day in 1972 and allowed President Nixon to finally achieve “peace with honor.” This book focuses on the three prongs of the naval trident that President Nixon wielded during the final years of the Vietnam War: naval air power, naval bombardment, and mine warfare. For much of this period, Navy aircraft sought to hamper the flow of supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos-a huge investment in air power resources that ultimately proved fruitless. After North Vietnam's invasion of the South in 1972, however, Navy tactical aviation, as well as naval bombardment, proved critical not only in blunting the offensive but also in persuading North Vietnam to arrive at a peace agreement in Paris in 1973. For the first time in the war, the Navy was also authorized to close Haiphong Harbor and North Vietnam's other ports with naval mines-an operation that still stands out as a textbook example of how mine warfare can inflict a major economic and psychological blow on the enemy with minimal casualties for either side. Thus, naval power was indispensible to ending America's longest war. -- Provided by publisher This booklet focuses on the three prongs of the naval trident that President Nixon wielded during the final years of the Vietnam War: naval air power, naval bombardment, and mine warfare. For much of this period, Navy aircraft sought to hamper the flow of supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laosa huge investment in air power resources that ultimately proved fruitless. After North Vietnams invasion of the South in 1972, however, Navy tactical aviation, as well as naval bombardment, proved critical not only in blunting the offensive but also in persuading North Vietnam to arrive at a peace agreement in Paris in 1973. For the first time in the war, the Navy was also authorized to close Haiphong Harbor and North Vietnam's other ports with naval minesan operation that still stands out as a textbook example of how mine warfare can inflict a major economic and psychological blow on the enemy with minimal casualties for either side. Thus, naval power was indispensible to ending America's longest war. Introduction 1 Air Operations in Laos 5 Protective Reaction 23 Blunting the Easter Offensive 35 Mining Haiphong Harbor 45 The War Against the MiGs 53 Linebacker 61 Conclusion 75 Sidebars Intruder 10 Admiral Thomas Hinman Moorer 28 From Thanh Hoa to Sarajevo 62 Walleye TV-Guided Bomb 64 Naval Bombardment: Into the Lion's Den 68 The Author 78 Air Operations In Laos -- Protective Reaction -- Blunting The Easter Offensive -- Mining Haiphong Harbor -- The War Against The Migs -- Linebacker. John Darrell Sherwood. Shipping List No.: 2009-0394-p. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 78-79). This book details Navy air operations during the Vietnam War. It looks into air operations in Laos, protective-reaction strikes, the Easter Offensive, mining of Haiphong harbor, the war against MiG fighters, and Operation Linebacker.