History of Tactical Electronic Warfare

There is an excellent research paper published by the Airpower Research Institute, College of Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education, Air University. The report is titled, Sparks Over Vietnam, The EB-66 and the Early Struggle of Tactical Electronic Warfare. The author is Capt. Gilles Van Nederveen, USAF. (Paperback - Mar 2003). Available at Amazon and other book stores.

It also describes:
• The Perspectives from Shaw AFB, 1956-1974,
• The Prespective from the Pacific and Europe, 1956-1965,
• *Rolling Thunder, 1965-1968 (pages 35 to 63),
• The Intermission of the Vietnam War 1969-1971
• Linebacker Operations in 1972

* This portion of the report covers the time period when the EB-66Cs and the EB-66B "Brown Cradle" aircraft (operating from Takhli RTAFB) supported a variety of attack aircraft flying into "the most sophisticated defense system the United states has ever flown against."

Page 47 of the report shows the following sketch from the EB-66 TACTICS Manual on how EB-66s were positioned in orbital patterns to support attack aircraft. These "super" orbits were successfully used throughout the Vietnam War.

There are three apprendices: the EB/RB-66 displayed in museums, aircraft numbers of EB-66C/B/E airframes, and Vietnam War Losses.