and the sound-barrier-breaking jet fighter. The validity of professional opinion that the prime defense requirement was a capability for successful delivery of nuclear bombs or warheads on the enemy could not be denied. The emphasis in national defense policy was of necessity on the building of a modern force of long-range, strategic nuclear bombers and nuclear-tipped ICBM's. Powerful auxiliary ground and naval forces were also maintained against the prospect of limited war, other Koreas, perhaps more than one at a time. In later years, in view of the inroads that Communist-inspired revolts, insurgencies, infiltrations, and guerrilla attacks were making, a careful restudy of our defense posture confirmed a need for special forces, equipment, tactics, and strategies in the realm of counterinsurgency (COIN) operations. While assuredly not wanting or intending to fight in all the free world's counterinsurgency battles, the United States armed forces recognized that they must lead materially in shaping the local struggles against Communist aggression. All-out efforts were bent toward training, advising, supplying, and equipping those who need help in effective COIN operations. Yet while United States policy dictates that American forces will not be committed to COIN engagements, the USAF could be called upon to fill in with air capability during the interim of development of adequate indigenous forces within the friendly nations. the Invader's second rebirth Recognizing that it had an aircraft which could meet the need and cope with the unique characteristics of COIN warfare, the United States Air Force early in 1961 again decided to resurrect the war-weary old B-26 Invader. Revamped and revitalized, this new version of the B-26 is proving to be the most versatile aircraft in the Air Force's counterinsurgency inventory. In January 1961 Ogden AMA logistics support, maintenance, and supply personnel began to rehabilitate the B-26's that were stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Reparable control surfaces and other spares available at Hill AFB, Utah, were made serviceable, airlifted to DavisMonthan, and installed on the aging airframes to fix them for a one-time flight to the production lines at Hill AFB. There approximately two B-26's a month were equipped for active duty and rolled off the lines to make history once again as they had during two previous conflicts. At Hill AFB, the B-26's were completely dismantled and reworked, an average of 11,500 man-hours being expended on the overhaul of each aircraft. Many special pieces of equipment and devices not available in the Air Force supply system were specially manufactured there or were obtained through war surplus, cannibalization, or reclamation from other B-26's and installed in these aircraft. As they came off the line completely reworked with extra armament and improved equipment installed, they were flown to Eglin AFB, Florida, where they took their place with the T-28, the C-47, and other vehicles being used for counterinsurgency training under direction of the Special Air Warfare Center there. The rehabilitation process continued on other B-26's pulled from storage, and direct deliveries were made not only to Eglin but to the Canal Zone and Southeast Asia, where intensive training of Allied crews continued in all phases of airborne operations for counterguerrilla activities. Carrying .50-caliber machine guns in its nose, rockets under its wings, and a great variety of bombs in its belly, this revitalized B-26 was and is a natural for jungle warfare. Technicians assigned to the System Support Manager for the B-26 as well as maintenance and supply personnel at Ogden AMA have for the past two years also worked unstintingly to support special proj ects from which the B-26 emerged as a prime COIN vehicle in the current world hot spots. In April 1961 the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron, "Jungle Jim," was activated at Hurlburt Field, Florida. This unit was committed to the special training of USAF personnel in the B-26 and other WW II aircraft and equipment, in order to provide for liaison and supervisory functions necessary to aid friendly foreign air forces in developing combat capability with similar equipment. Advanced training of friendly foreign air force personnel was also given in the operation. maintenance, and combat employment of these aircraft. The project also provided for further development of conventional weapons and tactics and techniques of equipment suitable to the environment of newly emerging countries. In November 1961 Project "Farm Gate," a detachment of Jungle Jims, began furnishing support to the Invaders and other COIN aircraft deployed to areas of insurgency in Southeast Asia. In May 1962 a 60-man detachment from the Special Air Warfare Center at Eglin was deployed to the Canal Zone to instruct LatinAmerican forces in all phases of counterguerrilla activity. This project, “Bold Venture," ably supported the deployment and included three B-26's for use as trainers. Typical of Air Force units using the Ogden AMA-repaired Invaders is the 6th Fighter Squadron (Commando) of the 1st Air Commando Group. The B-26 is considered the backbone of this Florida-based squadron's array of aircraft, which includes another old favorite, the T-28 Trojan. The special features of the B-26 which adapt it to meet the unique requirements of COIN warfare will bear elaboration. • The overall strategic aim of COIN is to win the indigenous populace to the side of the free world, and we must protect the people while winning them over. The Communist insurgents are often intermingled with the indigenous peoples, and it would be disastrous if bombs were dropped promiscuously and noninsurgents were injured. Against no aerial opposition the Invader can be relied on to fly low and slow enough to "see" its target and pinpoint its bomb drop. Communist-inspired insurgencies are most probable in technologically backward, newly emerging nations with poor lines of communication. Sufficient modern airfields to support sustained operations are nonexistent. The time and manpower necessary to build such airfields during critical strike periods would negate the potency of a particular strike. In the interim until VTOL aircraft become available, the Invader with its short-take-off-and-landing capabilities can be deployed in the best possible tactical disposition to counter opposing forces. • The insurgents' lack of significant air and of sophisticated weapons and munitions creates made-to-order conditions for the Invader's optimum capabilities as a close-support, recon naissance, and interdiction aircraft. Its flexibility enables it to operate successfully against uncertain as well as anticipated wide-range enemy capabilities. • The Invader's low and slow flying allows its crew time to see the fleeting targets. Its twoplace "four eyes" enable it to circle for successive attacks with the moving targets still within visual range. Its two engines, armor plate, and fastgetaway power protect it from the small-arms ground fire of the insurgents. the Counter Invader At the present time a newly configured B-26 is being flight-tested at Eglin. It has been reworked by a private contractor from specifications provided by the Aeronautical Systems Division of the Air Force Systems Command. Upon completion of flight test and acceptance by the Tactical Air Command, additional aircraft will be modified and assigned to coIN duties in Southeast Asia. This new Counter Invader has been prototyped for the Air Force as a research and development vehicle by the On-Mark Engineering Company. The old war-proved performer has been redesigned, modified, and modernized to become an even more versatile and formidable flying weapon, specially adapted to fit the peculiar requirements of COIN warfare as today's supersonic attack aircraft cannot do. The B-26 Counter Invader possesses a diversity of armament and reconnaissance ability. On each wing are a rocket-launcher pod, a machine-gun pod, a 750-pound bomb, and a napalm bomb. If a longer mission is called for, the napalm bomb can be replaced by a 230gallon-capacity fuel drop tank. To effect minimum speed loss, these units are spaced aerodynamically on the wing. Adding to its firepower, three .50caliber machine guns are mounted in each wing. The nose firing power has been increased to eight .50-caliber guns, symmetrically positioned, making for greatly increased close-support capabilities. Bombs, flares, and/or torpedoes-up to 4000 pounds-rest in the bomb bay. In only four man-hours the eight-gun nose can be replaced with a glass nose to adapt this versatile aircraft to level-bombing and photo- abilities, under full armament, allow it to reach reconnaissance missions. Special technical features designed and worked into the new Counter Invader are: completely remanufactured airframe fully reversible propellers with automatic dual flight controls (right side removable for air-conditioning for cockpit propeller, windshield, and carburetor anti- complete fire detection, warning, and extinguishing system permanently installed wingtip tanks with dumping system quick-change nose capability electric elevator trim two 300-amp d.c. generators and two 2500VA inverters provisions for a full complement of airborne electronics, including HF, VHF, and UHF communication, VOR navigation, LF/ADF, instrument landing system, TACAN, automatic pilot, IFF coder, LORAN, marker beacon, integrated flight system, intercom system, and radars. Following the classic guerrilla pattern, insurgencies often take place in areas where the timely delivery or emplacement of troops is virtually impossible. The B-26 Counter Invader was developed to counteract this situation. Its long-range these areas; its loitering ability allows its crew to locate the trouble spot; and its distinctive and diversified armaments allow the selection of weapons suitable for the target spotted. These abilities are unique with this new Counter Invader and are of vital importance in this vicious jungle type of COIN warfare. If carrying no external or ferry fuel, a Counter Invader can cover a 500-nautical-mile radius with full stores, loiter for one and one-half hours in the process of seeking out and destroying targets, and return to base with an adequate landing reserve of fuel. During such a mission this B-26 can carry armament weighing 8000 pounds. If external fuel is carried, the radius can be extended to 800 nautical miles. This new counterinsurgency weapon system is outstandingly capable of level bombing at alti tudes to 30,000 feet, dive bombing, photoreconnaissance and electronic surveillance, and close ground support. Since it uses only proved components common to many U.S.-built military and civilian craft, its operation is simplified. By virtue of its years of tried and true service, the B-26 is no longer sensitive to the maintenance problems often inherent with new designs. It requires few special tools and little ground support equipment. The Counter Invader can be immediately available in quantity, by off-the-shelf procurement. It is capable of operation from small, unimproved airfields through a combination of low power loading, JATO, reversible propellers, and antiskid brakes, and its large, low-pressure tires permit operation from grass or unprepared fields. Truly it is a made-to-order vehicle to counter Communist guerrilla threats. Taking a look at history past and the complexion of the present and trying to envision what may come, one can but paraphrase regarding this valiant old warrior the Douglas B-26: "Old Invaders never die-they just keep on being reborn, and reborn, and . . .” Ogden Air Materiel Area Invading Hitler's Germany. Two A-26's of the U.S. Ninth Air Force drop bombs on a Siegfried Line strong point in the path of American ground forces. Each flying day the A-26 ran missions on the Western Front in cooperation with actions by the three armies of General Omar Bradley's U.S. 12th Army Group. Note the precision of the two bombers. The twin engines and tail assembly of the second plane line up so well behind the lead A-26 as to be nearly invisible. The six bombs of the first plane are leading the following stick of six from the second bomber straight in to the target. |