Issue No 21 THE AVIATION HISTORIAN 71
Sidewinder, compared to an average kill ratio of
eight per cent and 15 per cent respectively during
Operation Rolling Thunder. North Vietnamese
sources, however, acknowledged only five aircraft
shot down, with all their pilots being able to eject
safely.^3 Did the Americans exaggerate their claims
despite each claim being thoroughly analysed? A
likely explanation is that the two other MiG-21s
were almost certainly flown by North Korean
pilots, as recorded in the NSA SIGINT intercepts.^4
the aftermath
Despite its losses, the VPAF’s 921st FR continued
operations over the following days, including
trying to shoot down weather-reconnaissance
aircraft over North Vietnam. Olds took the
opportunity to set another trap, despatching two
F-4Cs flying in close formation to appear as the
usual weather-reconnaissance RF-4C, on January
5, 1967. The North Vietnamese did not take the
bait on this occasion, but on a repeat mission the
next day four MiG-21s were launched to intercept,
two of which were shot down.
After this new setback, the VPAF decided to
suspend MiG-21 operations for more than three
months in order to analyse these engagements and
develop new tactics. The VPAF High Command
recognised that it had acted too boldly, becoming
overly self-confident in its ability to conduct
operations in a changing tactical situation,
making the mistake of launching the equivalent a
full squadron of MiG-21s. It was realised that the
VPAF should restrict itself to its own “guerrilla
air warfare” doctrine, i.e. use its interceptors only
in favourable conditions or give up and wait
patiently to fight another day. Its pilots, despite
being eager to fight, were still too inexperienced
to face highly trained American veterans of the
Second World War and Korean conflict.
Among the pilots involved in the dogfight
of January 2 was Capt Nguyen Van Coc, who
ejected from his stricken aircraft and landed
by parachute back at base. He immediately
requested another MiG-21 be made ready so he
could continue the fight. He was calmed down,
but swore that he would avenge this defeat, and
over the following months would claim nine kills,
with seven acknowledged by American sources,The following table summarises the 8th TFW’s seven MiG-21 victories during Operation Bolo, January 2, 1967
Squadron Callsign Aircraft Commander* 2nd Pilot Missile
555th TFS Olds 2 Capt Ralph F. Wetterhahn 1st Lt Jerry K. Sharp AIM-7E
555th TFS Olds 4 Capt Walter S. Radeker III 1st Lt James E. Murray III AIM-9B
555th TFS Olds 1 Col Robin Olds 1st Lt Charles C. Clifton AIM-9B
555th TFS Ford 2 Capt Everett T. Raspberry Jr 1st Lt Robert W. Western AIM-9B
433rd TFS Rambler 4 Maj Philip P. Combies 1st Lt Lee R. Dutton AIM-7E
433rd TFS Rambler 1 Capt John B. Stone 1st Lt Clifton P. Dunnegan Jr AIM-7E
433rd TFS Rambler 2 1st Lt Lawrence J. Glynn Jr 1st Lt Lawrence E. Cary AIM-7E
*In 1967 all USAF F-4s were crewed by two rated pilots, with the more experienced flying the front seat as
“aircraft commander”. The use of rated navigators as Weapon Systems Officers began in 1969operation bolo: the usaf victories compiled by albert grandolini
ABOVE Bearing a red star victory marking on its intake splitter plate, F-4C 64-0838 was photographed a few weeks
after Bolo, when it was flown as Rambler 4 by Maj Philip Combies of the 433rd TFS, and during which it shot down
a MiG-21. This Phantom still exists and is displayed at the US Space & Rocket Center at Huntsville, Alabama, USA.
USAF