December 1962--It is early morning in the steaming rice patties and dense jungle growth of South Vietnam near the demilitarized zone. Four American Bell UH-1 "Huey" helicopters fly just over the treetops towards a red smoke flare in the next field. Beside the flare, two injured South Vietnamese soldiers huddle together, pointing their weapons toward the nearby jungle. From behind the surrounding jungle trees, Vietcong soldiers quickly arrange themselves for an ambush on the incoming helicopters.

As the Hueys enter the field, two of the helicopters sprint forward, breaking to the extreme right and left of the landing zone ("LZ"). These gunships bristle with rocket pods and machine guns, and in a flash they unleash their ordnance into the surrounding trees as the other two Huey troop transports touch down. Soldiers quickly exit the first transport, forming a defensive perimeter, as soldiers and medics from the second transport race over to the two injured soldiers on the ground. Pulling them to their feet, the entire group moves hurriedly back to their transports and in seconds both helicopters are off the ground and speeding away. The gunships complete their last pass of suppressing fire and head off at right angles away from the landing zone. Behind them lie the smoking, shattered forest, and crumpled bodies of Vietcong soldiers.

Honor Squadrons International--The Vietnam War: Air Superiority (HSI-7) examines the aircraft, strategies and tactics of the most bitter and frustrating war the United States has ever fought.

Air superiority does not come easily to American pilots during the early stages of the Vietnam War. For the Americans, untested air-to-air missile tactics between distant aircraft have replaced proven dog fighting skills. The North Vietnamese pilots take advantage of this error in strategy by forcing close-in dogfights with their fast, maneuverable, cannon-equipped Russian-built MiG-17s.

By 1966, the North Vietnamese are equipped with the potent MiG-21, which is considerably superior to American fighter jets. However, by this time the Americans have changed their strategy and tactics, equipping most combat aircraft-including the McDonnell F-4 Phantom II--with rapid--fire cannons, as well as missiles. Most importantly, American pilots are now trained in the art of dog fighting.

The change in American air combat strategy and tactics is a complete success. By 1968, North Vietnamese pilots rarely challenge American fighter pilots; instead, they adopt hit and run tactics on American bombers, retreating quickly before the fighters can retaliate. The air war in the skies above Vietnam is over.

The North Vietnamese counter America's air superiority with a new strategy, shifting from a reliance on aircraft for control of the skies to utilizing ground-to-air SAM missiles, radar-guided flak, and for low flying intruders, massed small arms fire. The change in North Vietnamese strategy, tactics and weapons works, for the vast majority of American aircraft lost during the war are brought down by these new methods.

HSI-7 will personally interview Russian, North Vietnamese and American pilots, tacticians and historians about the deadly air war that was waged over Vietnam, and how eventual air superiority for the Americans could not reduce the ever-constant loss of aircraft and aircrews.

HSI-7 will also follow the metamorphosis of the helicopter from a troop and medical transport into the most dangerous weapon on the battlefield-the helicopter gunship. In fact, the helicopter becomes the single most important and visible aircraft used during the war.

In addition, Vietnam provides a new lease on life for outdated airplanes such as the rugged 1930s-era Douglas C-47 of WWII fame, which is modified into the most powerful gunship the world has ever seen. Ironically, the safest airplanes on the battlefield are the unarmed Cessna Bird Dog and O-2 observation aircraft, which are rarely fired upon by North Vietnamese soldiers since a swarm of napalm-laden jets wait on the horizon ready to protect the "eyes" of American reconnaissance.

Because of government and military regulations and restrictions, as well as the exorbitant costs and legalities associated with restoring and flying recently demilitarized jet aircraft, the majority of American jet fighters and bombers from the Vietnam War are not flying today. However, flying restorations of some of the more famous aircraft from the Vietnam War are either finished or currently underway. HSI-7 will cover the costly and labor-intensive return of these aircraft to airworthiness, and follow them as they begin to make appearances on the air show circuit, as well as at a growing number of Vietnam veteran reunions.

Finally, HSI-7 will examine the reasons why no group is attempting to rebuild and fly the most forgotten aircraft of the war-the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. The "Thud" is considered to be one of the best fighter-bombers ever designed, yet because it was the primary aircraft for flying deep penetration missions into North Vietnam it suffered the highest losses of any American combat aircraft. With this painful stigma attached to the Thud, it is deliberately ignored by restoration groups.

HSI-7 will conclude with a montage of aircraft and veteran images, as well as shared memories and lessons learned from the Vietnam War which, although 25+ years in the past, remains a painful wound in the hearts and souls of many Americans.