President Richard Nixon via Operation Linebacker and Operation Linebacker II carpet-bombed North Vietnam into submission and ended the war. “We took off one airplane a minute out of Guam for hours. Just on time takeoff after on time takeoff.” - Interview with Michael J. Connors (1981), who flew B-52 bombers in Operation Linebacker in 1972. He describes preparation for the Operation, and the experience of bombing Hanoi while the North Vietnamese launched surface-to-air missiles at him and Naval radio reported enemy plane sightings on the radar. He comments on changes in bombing strategies during Linebacker in contrast with earlier missions during the war, and describes the view from the air. photo: A U.S. Air Force SAM Hunter killer group of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing takes fuel on the way to North Vietnam for a strike during "Operation Linebacker" in October 1972. Visible are the Boeing KC-135A Stratotanker, two McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom II fighters from the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron (tail code "JV"); a Republic F-105G Thunderchief "Wild Weasel" aircraft from the 17th TFS ("JB"); and two F-105Gs from the 561st TFS ("WW"). The Intelligencer is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Follow The Intelligencer and R9 Media on social media: TikTok X Instagram Facebook This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.r9m.red/subscribe