The Canberra in Vietnam
Royal Australian Air Force
In April 1967, eight Australian-built MK20s of the No. 2 Squadron arrived
at Phan Rang AB. Their assignment was night bombing under radar control from 20,000
feet (Combat Sky Spot). The "Magpies" launched eight sorties daily.
750 pound General Purpose (GP) Bomb at the outboard stations
Though this procedure was completely successful, seven months later,
the RAAF used Forward Air Controllers (FACs) just as their US counterpart B-57s were doing
but with level flight low altitude techniques using W.W.II vintage bombsights. The
results of the missions were termed "magnificent". The Australians
outlasted the USAF B-57s by staying until 1971 when they returned for further assignment
at home in reconnaissance.
A strong point of agreement among 8th TBS crews was that the No. 2
Squadron really knew how to give a party! |
