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