Caught Looking: The Cessna Wildcats Who Dominated the Sky Over Vietnam

Caught Looking (Cessna U Wildcats Book 4)

by Kimberly Readnour

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2776 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	269 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

The Cessna Wildcats were a group of American pilots who flew the O-2 Skymaster aircraft in Vietnam. They were known for their daring reconnaissance missions and their ability to outmaneuver and outgun enemy aircraft. This article tells the story of the Cessna Wildcats and their role in the Vietnam War.

The Early Years

The Cessna Wildcats were formed in 1964 as part of the Air Force's Project Compass Knife. The project was designed to develop new tactics and equipment for use in counterinsurgency warfare. The Wildcats were one of several units that were sent to Vietnam to test these new concepts.

The Wildcats were initially equipped with the O-1 Bird Dog aircraft. However, they quickly found that the Bird Dog was not well-suited for the demands of combat in Vietnam. The aircraft was too slow and too lightly armed to survive against enemy fighters.

In 1966, the Wildcats were upgraded to the O-2 Skymaster aircraft. The Skymaster was a much more capable aircraft than the Bird Dog. It was faster, more maneuverable, and more heavily armed. The Wildcats quickly became one of the most effective reconnaissance units in Vietnam.

Reconnaissance Missions

The Wildcats' primary mission was to conduct reconnaissance missions over enemy territory. These missions were often dangerous and required the pilots to fly at low altitudes and high speeds. The Wildcats were often the first to spot enemy activity and they would often provide critical information to ground forces.

The Wildcats also conducted other types of missions, such as air strikes, close air support, and search and rescue. They were even used to conduct psychological warfare operations, such as dropping leaflets and broadcasting propaganda messages.

Air Combat

The Wildcats were not only skilled reconnaissance pilots, they were also excellent fighter pilots. They were often outnumbered and outgunned by enemy aircraft, but they were able to defeat their opponents through superior tactics and skill.

The Wildcats' most famous air combat victory occurred on January 31, 1968. On that day, a group of Wildcats engaged a group of North Vietnamese MiG-17s. The Wildcats were outnumbered two-to-one, but they were able to shoot down two of the MiGs and damage a third. This victory was a major morale boost for the Wildcats and it helped to establish their reputation as one of the most feared units in Vietnam.

Legacy

The Cessna Wildcats were one of the most successful units in the Vietnam War. They flew over 100,000 combat hours and they destroyed over 100 enemy aircraft. The Wildcats' legacy lives on today in the form of the Air Force's Special Operations Command. This command is responsible for conducting special operations missions around the world and it is staffed by many of the same pilots who flew with the Wildcats in Vietnam.

The Cessna Wildcats were a group of American pilots who made a significant contribution to the Vietnam War. They were skilled reconnaissance pilots, excellent fighter pilots, and they helped to establish the Air Force's Special Operations Command. The Wildcats' legacy is one of courage, skill, and dedication.

Caught Looking (Cessna U Wildcats Book 4)

by Kimberly Readnour

4.2 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2776 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	269 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE