Overview

This study highlights USAF plans, policies, and operations in Southeast Asia during 1965, especially as they were significantly changed by the President's key decisions to bomb North Vietnam and transform the U.S. advisory role in South Vietnam to one of active military support. The author focuses on USAF participation in the development of policy for prosecuting the war, the build-up of U.S. military strength in the theater, and the gradually intensified air operations against enemy forces in South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and Laos. USAF Plans and Operations in Southeast Asia, 1965 follows two other recent studies by the USAF Historical Division Liaison Office dealing specifically with the war: USAF Plans and Policiesin South Vietnam and Laos, 1964 and USAF Plans and Policies in South Vietnam, 1961-1963. In addition, the USAF Historical Division Liaison Office is currently preparing a companion study of Air Force plans and policies dealing with personnel, logistics, construction, and other activities during 1965 in support of the operational forces in Southeast Asia.