Operation Trail Dust
Operation Ranch Hand
1968-1969
During the Tet Offensive in early 1968, herbicide activities were terminated and the aircraft returned to the 315th Air Commando Wing for airlift operations, with the UC-123 types being configured for such operations. The 12th Air Commando Squadron flew 2,866 airlift sorties in support of allied operations. By the time spray activities were resumed, the results of the UC-123 tests at the Air Proving Ground Center at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida had been reviewed and approved. These tests were designed to measure the performance of the UC-123 when one engine was damaged during, a spray mission. When 2 jet engines were mounted to the wings and other modifications completed the aircraft was redesignated UC-123K. One of the other modifications was the installation of a larger spray pump so that the volume of spray could keep pace with the increased speed at which the plane could now fly. A flow meter was installed to insure even distribution of 3 gallons per acre regardless of the plane's speed. All 31 aircraft earmarked for Ranch Hand operations were scheduled for the modification beginning in July 1968.
Throughout 1968 the herbicide program was subjected to searching evaluation. The first comprehensive review was requested by the American Ambassador in January 1968 and culminated in May 1968 with the publication of a report. The findings were largely favorable to the program. From the military point of view the herbicide program was considered successful, especially with respect to defoliation. However, the review was less enthusiastic about crop destruction. It recommended limitations on spraying in populated enemy areas, improved psychological warfare operations to combat enemy propaganda, and improved indemnification programs to make the use of herbicides more acceptable to the people. The review committee concluded that the ecology of the Republic of Vietnam had not been affected by the use of herbicides and that the soil of the country had not been rendered sterile at any time. In August 1968, COMUSMACV sent another report on herbicide operations to the Commander-in-Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC) which concluded, "all field commanders, without exception, state that herbicide operations have been extremely effective in assisting the Allied combat effort." In September 1968, yet another military evaluation was directed by COMUSMACV and the results, presented in October 1968, again justified continuation of herbicide operations.
Herbicide missions flown during 1968 were essentially the same as those of previous years. Targets included eney base camps, roads and trails, canals, and crops. The major difference from previous years was a reduction in the number of sorties flown and acres sprayed. An average of 15.3 aircraft were utilized each month; 5,745 sorties were flown during the entire year. VNAF participation in the program increased in both target selection and mission execution.
By the end of 1968, a shift in emphasis of herbicide operations was evident. As detailed in the 1968 Combined Campaign Plan, herbicide operations were directed at (1) allied lines of communication; (2) enemy routes of supply; (3) base areas which were the object of allied operations; and (4) buffer zones along the borders of the Republic of Vietnam. During 1968, the 12th Air Commando Squadron was redesignated as the 12th Special Operations Squadron.
The crop destruction program had been highly successful, yet its political ramifications were a constant problem, both in Vietnam and the United States. In 1968, only 5 percent of all herbicide missions were for crop destruetion, and the general pattern for 1969 reflected the same proportion of effort.
Herbicide missions continued through 1969 with crew members flying an average of 430 sorties monthly. Aircraft allocations for spray operations increased to a peak of 33 in October 1969.
The phase-down of herbicide operations in the Republic of Vietnam began in November 1969 with the redistribution of 19 spray aircraft to other squadrons within the 834th Air Division.
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