USAF 34th TACTICAL GROUP WITH MOTTO CAN DO, VIETNAM WAR PATCH

Description: The size of this patch is 4" x 3".During Vietnam war, the 34th Tactical Group was activated in July 1963 to train Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF) personnel in counter-insurgency operations. It trained VNAF strike pilots, forward air controllers, and observers. Its initial squadrons were the 1st Air Commando Squadron, a composite unit flying Douglas B-26 Invaders at first, and the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, equipped with Cessna O-1 Bird Dogs. Later, the 1st also operated Helio U-10 Couriers, North American T-28 Trojans andDouglas C-47 Skytrains. The Air Force intended to turn the 19th's Bird Dogs over to the VNAF, and the squadron was inactivated in August 1964. However, the Gulf of Tonkin incident altered these plans and the squadron was activated again in October. The squadron's forward air controllers became more critical as the war expanded into populated areas and it became necessary to minimize civilian casualties. Plans had also been made to withdraw the 1st Air Commando Squadron and transfer its aircraft to the VNAF after replacing its AT-28s and B-26s with A-1Hs, but these plans were cancelled. Due to age and hard use in combat, two AT-28s lost their wings and crashed in March and April 1964, while in June all B-26s were grounded. The 1st only remained operational by borrowing nine T-28Bs from the VNAF. These incidents confirmed the plan to convert the squadron's attack aircraft to the Douglas A-1 Skyraider. The 34th also flew combat missions, including close air support, fighter escort and interdiction, psychological warfare, aerial supply, forward air control and tactical liaison. It pioneered tactical weapons and munitions, such as the mini-gun, the daisy cutter, and the gunship. In the fall of 1964, the 602d Fighter Squadron (Commando) was activated and assigned to the group. The Skyraider became the primary strike aircraft of the 1st and 602d Squadrons from this time. The group controlled its first jet aircraft in 1964 when Martin B-57 Canberras of the 8th and 13th Bombardment Squadrons, stationed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines began to rotate to Bien Hoa, where they were attached to the group for operations. These were the first USAF jets in Vietnam. Prior to the passage of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, the United States had interpreted the Geneva Accords as prohibiting jet combat aircraft from former French Indochina. On the night of 1 November, Viet Cong located just outside the perimeter of Bien Hoa attacked the base with mortars, destroying five B-57s and damaging an additional 15. Aircrews of the 1st Air Commando Squadron performed the first combat tests of the FC-47 (later Douglas AC-47 Spooky) gunship beginning in December 1964. As more Air Force units moved to Bien Hoa, the 6251st Tactical Fighter Wing replaced the group in July 1965, and the 34th was inactivated.-SATISFACTION IS GUARANTEED OR YOUR MONEY BACK.-COMBINED SHIPMENT OF MULTIPLE ITEMS IS REDUCED TO SAVE YOU MONEY.-PAYPAL PAYMENT IS ACCEPTED. FOR OTHER PAYMENT METHODS, PLEASE EMAIL ME FOR MORE DETAILS.-YOUR ITEM WILL BE SHIPPED WITHIN 24 HOURS UPON RECEIPT OF YOUR PAYMENT.-FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS ONLY: WE WILL SHIP BY 1st CLASS MAIL. WE REQUIRE BUYERS TO WAIT FOR THE INVOICE BEFORE PAYING.-OUR FEEDBACK IS IMPORTANT TO US AND WE WANT YOU TO BE HAPPY WITH YOUR PURCHASE. IF YOU FIND SOMETHING WRONG, PLEASE CONTACT US BEFORE LEAVING A NEUTRAL OR NEGATIVE FEEDBACK AND WE WILL TRY TO MAKE IT RIGHT. Due to global pandemic and USPS reduction of services, please allow extra delivery time. Thanks.

Price: 11.28 USD

Location: Grand Prairie, Texas

End Time: 2024-12-06T20:10:11.000Z

Shipping Cost: 1 USD