Operation Arc Light

Arc Light Memorial on Anderson AFB, Guam

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Operation Arc Light was the 1965 deployment of B-52F Stratofortress as conventional bimbers from bases in the US to Guam.^[1] By extension, Arc light, and sometimes Arclight, is the code name and general term for the use of B-52 Stratofortress as a CAS platform to support ground tactical operations during the Vietnam War. In 1964, the U.S. Air Force began to train strategic bomber crews in the delivery of conventional munitions. Under Project Big Belly, all B-52Ds were modified so that they could carry nearly 30 tons of conventional bombs. B-52s were deployed to air force bases in Guam and Thailand. Arc light operations were most often close air support bombing raids of enemy base camps, troops concentrations, and/or supply lines. The first use of these heavy bombers in Southeast Asia occurred on 18 June, 1965. Flying out of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, twenty-seven aircraft used 750 and 1,000 pound bombs to attack a Viet Cong stronghold.^[1]During this mission two B-52Fs were lost in a mid-air collision; another was unable to conduct air refueling. Missions were commonly flown in three-plane formations known as "cells" and were also employed when ground units in heavy combat requested fire support. Releasing their bombs from 30,000 feet, the B-52s could neither be seen nor heard from the ground as they inflicted awesome damage. B-52s were instrumental in breaking up enemy concentrations besieging Khe Sanh in 1968^[1] and An Loc in 1972. ^[1] Arc Light missions continued until the cessation of hostilities by all U.S. forces on August 15, 1973. Between June 1965 and August 1973, 126,615 B-52 sorties were flown over Southeast Asia. During those operations, the U.S. Air Force lost 31 B-52s: 18 from hostile fire over North Vietnam and 13 from operational causes.

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