OBJECTIVE• Main alter entrance of North Vietnam

ports to prevent access and curtail North Vietnam naval operation.

• Take appropriate measure to interdict delivery of supply to North Vietnam.

• Cut off rail and all other communication.

LINE BACKER - I06 Apr 1972 – 31 Oct 1972

LINE BACKER - II15 Dec 1972 – 25 Dec 1972

OPERATIONSUMMARY

SAM ECM AIR WEAPONS FLYING TACTICS

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

SELECTION AND MAINT OF AIM

MAINT OF MORALE

ECONOMY OF EFFORT

CONCENTRATION OF FORCECONCENTRATION OF FORCE

SURPEISE

CO-OPERATION&

CO-ORDINATION

FLEXIBILITY

FLEXIBILITYFLEXIBILITY

LESSONS LEARNT

MINIMIZE HUMAN CASUALTY INTERNATIONAL CONSENSUS IS A NECESSITY AIRMEN PROFESSIONALS SHOULD PLAN AND EXECUTE AIR

CAMPAIGN AIM SHOULD BE CLEAR AND MAINTAINED AIR POWER REQUIRES CENTRALIZED CONTROL AND

DECENTRALIZED EXECUTION GRADUALISM DOES NOT WORK IN AIR POWER GRADUALISM DOES NOT WORK IN AIR POWER AIR OPERATIONS MUST ACHIEVE CONCENTRATION OF PURPOSE KNOW THE ENEMY COORDINATION REDUCES CONFUSION AND DUPLICATION OF

EFFORT ELIMINATE THE PILOTS' SENSE OF ISOLATION EMPLOY AIR POWER NOT ONLY FOR TACTICAL PURPOSE BUT

ALSO FOR STRATEGIC EFFECT SUSTAINABILITY DEPENDS ON LOGISTICS