In December 1972, President Richard Nixon ordered one of the most intense bombing campaigns of the Vietnam War. Known as Operation Linebacker II, or the Christmas Bombings, the operation sent waves of American B-52 bombers against targets around Hanoi and Haiphong, North Vietnam, in an effort to force a breakthrough in stalled peace negotiations.
From December 18–29, B-52 crews flew hundreds of missions into some of the most heavily defended airspace in the world. Fifteen B-52s were shot down during the campaign.
We invite all who flew and supported these dangerous missions to join us for the conversation.
Our special guest is Lt. Col. Calvin “Cal” Augustin, USAF (Ret.), a B-52 aircraft commander who flew 128 combat missions during four tours in Southeast Asia, including Operation Linebacker II. A recipient of three Distinguished Flying Crosses and eight Air Medals, Cal later flew the legendary SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance aircraft and enjoyed a long career in commercial aviation.
We would also like B-52 pilots and crew members, tanker crews, maintenance personnel, and anyone else involved in Linebacker II to join our live conversation and share their memories.
We’ll want to hear especially what it was like to fight North Vietnamese MiGs, anti-aircraft fire, and SAMs.
Whether you participated in the Christmas Bombings, served in Vietnam, or simply want to learn more about this dramatic and controversial chapter of the war, we welcome you to join the conversation.
Learn more about Cal Augustin: https://www.calvinaugustin.com/aviation-resume.php
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