Wings

Season 8, Episode 1

Episode Title: The FACs

Air Date: 2002-10-20

Overview:

High technology did not play the major part in Southeast Asia that may have been expected. Rather, it was back to basics, the guerrilla activity of the Viet Cong produced a need for low flying, slow speed, durable aircraft for the Counter-Insurgency or COIN role. The Air Force created Foward Air Controllers (FACs) to guide and control air strikes on enemy positions In the jungles of Vietnam, flying in their light propeller-driven aircraft - 0-1 Bird Dogs and 0V-2 Skymasters until the purpose-designed aircraft, the twin engine Bronco, was rushed into service.