Sparks Over Vietnam : The EB-66 and the Early Struggle of Tactical Electronic Warfare

This study underscores the important use of electronic intelligence and jamming as an electronic countermeasure. Three decades ago, the USAF faced a North Vietnamese electronic air defense threat about which little was known. Through some extraordinary efforts, the USAF ably countered that threat employing an obsolete aircraft, the EB-66, only refitted and upgraded for mid 1960s missions. Since the aircraft was at the end of its projected lifecycle, and a new jammer was on the drawing board, the air staff would not fund additional EB-66 modifications and maintenance requirements. Parallels are easy to draw with today's jammers, as essentially the same situation exists with the EA-6B. The number of EB-66 aircraft during the Vietnam War was inadequate to meet both operational and training requirements. Thus, crews were trained on the job, often during combat operations, and the "boneyard" at Davis-Monthan was often the site of scavenger hunts for repair parts needed to keep the aircraft aloft. The advent of the Pueblo crisis created an additional demand for the EB-66 forcing a partial redeployment of the fleet from Thailand to Korea. Training assets were also flown from Shaw to Germany during the same period to monitor the escalating air defense threat in the Warsaw Pact nations. Missions and employment doctrine had to change to match electronic counters by adversaries from all directions. Captain Van Nederveen's paper can truly be a one source document describing the trials and tribulations of procuring and employing one of the Air Force's first "unique" aircraft during peace, war, and military operations other than war. The EB-66C and the Early Struggle of Tactical Electronic Warfare is an excellent read; methodical, historical, and reminiscent of a true workhorse in the United States Air Force. It is short enough to read in a few short sittings. The lessons learned are immediately apparent and applicable in today's declining budgets. Read this paper for its intellectual content, educational value, or for pure enjoyment. Major General Glen D. Shaffer, USAF Director of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance DCS, Air and Space Operations