Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard in SEA
During the Southeast Asia War, the Air Force Reserve (AFRES) and Air National Guard (ANG) primarily remained a Cold War strategic reserve in case a wider war broke out. As such, it operated mostly outside the combat theater, helping fill the gaps left when active duty units deployed for combat.
In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson -- who had previously resisted calling the reserves -- ordered limited AFRES and ANG mobilizations. A small number of these units deployed to Southeast Asia, while others reinforced the USAF in South Korea, Japan and other parts of the world.
Click on the following links to learn more about the AFRES and ANG during the Southeast Asia War.
Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard Explained
Southeast Asia Airlift
Air National Guard F-100s in South Vietnam
Air Force Reserve AC-119G Shadows
Total Force Legacy
Click here to return to the South Vietnam: Build-Up and Engagement Overview.