The Vietnam War

Operation Ranch HandDefoliation Spray Missions

Operation Ranch Hand• USAF defoliation spray missions

• Part of a larger Operation Trail Dust

• Deny jungle cover and crops

• Concerns about Geneva Protocols

• Agent Orange effects: Dioxin

Operation Trail Dust Involved All Services

Extensive Coverage of South Vietnam

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Operation Ranch Hand

USAF part of Operation Trail Dust

Ground Fire Suppression

UC-123B Provider

UC-123B in VNAF Markings

Aircraft Markings

USAF VNAF

Operation Ranch Hand Aircraft Markings

UC-123K “Patches”National Museum of the US Air Force

UC-123K “Patches” Markings

Legacy of Agent Orange

Controversy:

“I was sprayed with Agent Orange”

Typical Report: Single silver airplane, spraying over a fixed base or fire support base

Ranch Hand Tactics:

Likely Explanation: Insect eradication program

Multi-ship formations (minimum of three)

Routes pre-cleared for counter-fire (i.e., no friendly forces)

Operation Fly Swatter

Tom PilschWeb Site: www.cc.gatech.edu/~tpilsch/AirOps

The Vietnam War

A FAC’s-Eye View