Wings Over Vietnam

The conflict in Vietnam was often referred to as the Helicopter War. The helicopter played all sorts of roles during the Vietnam War, from transport and search-rescue to MEDEVAC and heavily armed gunships. Certainly, it was here that helicopters became most useful, but not only in what has previously been considered their only role as a transport vehicle. Before Vietnam, the helicopter was valued for its ability to evacuate wounded soldiers from trouble, but virtually ignored was its capabilities as an offensive weapon. The long war in Southeast Asia would see that change dramatically. Now they were developed into specialist fighting machines, carrying cannons and rockets.

One of the great battlefield innovations developed by the United States armed forces in its effort to defeat a skilled and often elusive enemy in Vietnam was air cavalry--light infantry deployed by helicopters. Always outnumbered, and fighting in a totally hostile environment, American soldiers had to rely on technology and new techniques to contain the enemy. The highly mobile helicopter troops who formed the Air Cavalry used quick-response techniques to counter the huge odds against which they fought daily. As a concept, air cavalry was innovative. As executed by air cavalry units, it was phenomenal, and the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam was the quintessential air cavalry organization. Its prominent and evolving role began in the Ia Drang Valley in 1965, and one of its greatest achievements came at Khe Sanh in 1968.

Meet the commanders of a true military legend and fight alongside the special breed of "madmen" who piloted the versatile olive drab chopper during the crucial battle in Landing Zone X-Ray. The UH-1 Huey, the most widely used military helicopter in the world, began to arrive in Vietnam in 1963. Before the conflict ended, more than 5,000 of these versatile machines were employed in Southeast Asia. The choppers were used for a variety of purposes, including MedEvac, command and control, air assault, transport of personnel and material, and as gun ships. This is an in-depth look at the role this helicopter played in Vietnam and how it came to symbolize the war itself. Meet the commanders of this military legend and hear gripping stories of the special breed of men who piloted Huey.

Among the first in combat in Vietnam, the McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk flew more missions, and paid a higher price, than any other naval aircraft. It has been in service longer and seen more combat than any other fighter in America's arsenal. Like a super-charged sports car with wings, the Skyhawk endured a decade of fierce ground attack to become one America's longest-serving combat planes in operation today. In-between catapulting off the air craft carrier Oriskany and slamming down on its flight deck, Skyhawk pilots flew thousands of low-flying, ground-strike missions braving intense flak and enemy fire in support of beleaguered GIs. Get a first-hand aerial perspective on the Vietnam War from the fighter pilots, deck crews and commanders who were there. Experience dramatic tales of bravery and brutality from POWs, including retired admiral James Stockdale and U.S. Senator John McCain.

The Discovery Channel brings you a comprehensive look at the fierce air campaigns of the Vietnam Era. Experience dogfights between Russian supplied MIGs and the US's F-4 Phantom, hear secret military mission plans, and witness stunning war footage. Also included are interviews with the courageous pilots of the Skyhawks, F-105 Thunder Chiefs, giant B-52 bombers, AC-47s, and others!