ing antigovernment guerrillas committing acts of sabotage and openly clamoring for more voice in the government.

Due to the increased activity and growing dissatisfaction among the populace, the territorial government has asked RHL for armed forces to counter the growing instability. BHL government members have violently denounced the territorial government and announced that any moves or invasion of borders on the part of RHL will result in hostilities.

Antigovernment guerrillas, under the leadership of a man known as "Swamp Fox," disrupted communications, road and rail traffic. They also spread antiregime propaganda throughout the month of June. By July the guerrillas had strengthened to the extent that the TC had to request assistance from the RHL, which moved forces into the territory under the guise of holding summer maneuvers for their air and ground forces. Additional military forces were sent into the territory as "volunteers" to support the national police.

In mid-July the BHL Ambassador submitted to the leaders of the RHL government the minimum terms of compromise: political self-determination for the TC and withdrawal of all RHL military personnel from the territory. The only response from the RHL has been statements made in the government-controlled press accusing the BHL leaders of interference in the internal affairs of the TC with the object of converting it into a semicolonized dependency of the BHL. Using government-controlled newspapers, radio, and TV, the propaganda ministry of the Red Homeland has been conditioning the public for war and has assured the population that the BHL would bear the entire responsibility for any armed action.

Informed sources felt that the RHL, with its troops located in strategic areas, was ready to take over the TC and was prepared to risk war with the BHL. Blue Homeland attachés had lost all but the most formal contacts with the RHL Ministry of War officials.

Blue Homeland air force units had been flying visual reconnaissance missions along the border of the TC, and early-warning radar control locations had reported indications of prob

able aerial reconnaissance over the TC.

Specific events and incidents leading up to the hostile postures and eventually to actual warfare were made known to the exercise participants

On 1 May two public demonstrations had been held protesting (1) government changes in policy and (2) the recent visit to Newberry of numerous RHL political figures.

On 6 May the RHL radio broadcast a plan for complete economic integration of the Territory of Columbia into the RHL bloc. The TC government also announced plans for private farms to be collectivized. Police in many areas were unable to control demonstrations.

On 15 May RHL announced that since TC was unable to pay debts owed RHL it would send managers to operate the TC's major industries for that country. The same day TC's foreign minister refused aid from BHL, stating that it interfered with TC's internal affairs.

Later in May BHL noted that RHL had quietly activated several military reserve units. As TC internal unrest mounted, the police became much stronger as a result of alleged "volunteers" from the RHL. On 29 May the TC government began a series of propaganda broadcasts denouncing the BHL. Refugees fled from TC across the Pee Dee River to BHL. Isolated sabotage took place in TC.

On 15 June BHL radar detected probable RHL recon flights over TC in violation of a 10-year-old treaty signed by RHL and BHL. Apparently RHL was intent on taking over TC and disregarding the treaty.

On 26 June BHL intelligence sources indicated that the TC general population was supporting some guerrilla-type activity against the TC government.

On 29 June the TC and RHL accused BHL of inciting subversive activities in TC. The BHL had, in fact, infiltrated guerrilla organizers.

On 3 July RHL stated they would supply military assistance to TC to combat increased guerrilla warfare activities inspired by BHL. On 6 July BHL denied any activity against the TC government and stated that the presence of RHL military forces in TC was in violation of the treaty. BHL would oppose it with force if

necessary. On 12 July RHL continued to berate BHL for interference.

By mid-July subversive activities within TC had become well organized and were taking a heavy toll on communications and transportation. RHL announced that a large-scale military exercise would take place along the Savannah River near TC "next week." During 13-17 July many RHL "volunteers" were flowing into TC to aid police. BHL intelligence reported military-type field communications sites being constructed at several locations in TC.

On 18 July BHL announced that evidence of RHL military forces was appearing in TC and if it did not cease immediately action would be taken by BHL to drive out the RHL aggressors. RHL denied the charge and announced that any violation of the borders by BHL would be an act of war against RHL. On 19 July BHL knew that an RHL buildup was taking place but was uncertain of the extent without reconnaissance flights over TC. BHL was not afraid to risk war to make the flights. AT THIS POINT WAR WAS IMMINENT. Blue guerrilla forces were strengthened to the extent that the Territory of Columbia. had to request assistance from Red Homeland forces. Blue Homeland forces were alerted to go to the assistance of the guerrillas. During this time of increased tension BHL decided that direct observations of TC were necessary, and on 21 July actual reconnaissance flights crossed the border of TC and triggered Swift Strike III. "The war is on!"

Phases of the Action

Phase I, 21 July-3 August

For the first fourteen days of the exercise, rival air forces of the Blue and Red Homelands jockeyed for air superiority over and around the six-million-acre maneuver area in North and South Carolina. Supersonic jets simulated interdiction of opposition airfields and lines of supply, photographed potential "targets," and attempted to eliminate through gun-camera "hits" as much of the opposition air force as possible before the full-scale air/

ground phase of the exercise got under way on 4 August.

For the opening air phase, Tactical Air Command aircraft assigned to the Red and Blue forces included F-100 Super Sabres and F-104 Starfighters. Air Reserve and Air National Guard forces contributed F-84 Thunderstreak and F-86H Sabrejet fighters to the rival forces. Aerial reconnaissance was supplied by supersonic RF-101 Voodoo jets, RB-66 Destroyers, RB-57 Canberras, and RF-84F Thunderflashes. Air Defense Command supplied one squadron of F-102 fighter-interceptors for both BHL and RHL.

Invading Blue Homeland air forces operated from Pope AFB, Seymour Johnson AFB, Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, MacKall Army Air Field, and Stallings Field in North Carolina, Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina, Sewart AFB, Tennessee, and Hunter AFB and Travis Field Air National Guard Base in Georgia.

Defending the Territory of Columbia were Red Homeland air forces operating from Bush Field, Turner AFB, Dobbins AFB, and Robins AFB in Georgia, from North Field, South Carolina, and McGhee-Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee.

Blue unconventional warfare operations, headed by Swamp Fox and dedicated to the overthrow of the government of the Territory of Columbia, would have had an easy time if the Red-oriented Columbian regime had not asked for military help from the Red Homeland. However, this intervention by the Red forces immediately led to pledges of substantial military assistance by the Blue Homeland. These events led to full preparations for all-out war by both countries.

The Military Air Transport Service (MATS) began airlifting the 5th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colorado, into Donaldson Field. The Red 2d Infantry Division moved overland from Fort Benning, Georgia, and entered the Territory of Columbia in the southwest via a "port" on the Savannah River upstream from Augusta. These Red armies moved into position and began to deploy for ground operations.

Phase II, 4-8 August

Blue forces invaded Territory of Columbia in a joint airborne assault operation to establish an airhead.

Faced with a military takeover by the Blue Homeland, defenseless Columbia called upon its ally, the Red Homeland, for military aid. Reds counterattacked immediately against the airhead. Things happened fast: assault landing strip construction for resupply and re-enforcement-airlanded operations at Donaldson Field-repositioning of Red forces.

Assault airlift roles for the air/ground

phase of the exercise were performed by Tactical Air Command C-130 Hercules, C-123 Provider, and Continental Air Command C-119 Flying Boxcar aircraft. These aircraft flew a variety of missions, including the parachuting of men and equipment, landing of both men and equipment on improvised airfields, and flying normal resupply missions. The Army Caribou aircraft and Air Force heavy helicopters played a major role in the air movement of troops and supplies within the zone of operation. Several C-130 turboprop aircraft were equipped to deliver cargo by "extraction"-Tactical Air Command's newest method of spot delivery, performed by snatching cargo packs from airlift aircraft as they fly very low over the ground. The assault aircraft also performed aeromedical and "popup" paratroop drops.

Through this phase tactical fighters flew close-support missions for Army front-line commanders. The fighters flew interdiction missions aimed at severing enemy communications lines. Daylight attacks consisted of mock attacks simulating the use of aerial machine guns, rockets, and conventional and nuclear bombs.

Tactical reconnaissance operations included the entire cycle, from taking photos to delivering the developed photographs to frontline commanders. Tactical aircraft flew visual, photographic, electronic, and weather reconnaissance missions for both Red and Blue forces throughout the exercise. Army OV-1 Mohawk turboprop aircraft were extensively used in the tactical air reconnaissance and

battlefield surveillance (TARABS) role.

This period also marked the beginning of the free-play air/ground phase of this massive exercise.

Swamp Fox organized bands of volunteer civilians to form an unarmed auxiliary to assist marking drop zones, and acting as guides. the military guerrillas in gathering intelligence, marking drop zones, and acting as guides. Acts of sabotage increased as the insurgent bands attempted to inspire more and more. Columbians to join efforts to gain freedom from Red-dominated rule. Acts of sabotage were simulated although the guerrillas did go

through the steps necessary to actually accomplish their mission. They simulated the disruption of communications and road and rail traffic as well as spread anti-Red propaganda. As the guerrilla activities expanded, Swamp Fox announced the successes of his forces in order to embarrass the Red regime in the eyes of the world.

Phase III, 9-11 August

The free play in the maneuvering of opposing Red and Blue forces continued during this period... the Red attack on Donaldson Field-the Blue offensive-parachute assault -river crossings-continuation of supply deliveries to assault landing strips.

Two major supply units, each using special techniques, supplied the Red and Blue ground forces, providing the hundreds of items needed by an army and air force in the field. The Blue Joint Task Force moved all supplies by air, the Red JTF used a simulated port for landing supplies. For both supply unit commanders this was the first major field exercise.

A new concept in portable mobility was used during Swift Strike III at Seymour Johnson AFB, in the form of a completely selfsupporting, portable photo-reconnaissance center. The portable processing center, developed for field situations, was airlifted in its entirety.

Blue forces captured the Columbian capital of Newberry and set up a new provisional government with the former mayor as president. Swamp Fox, the popular guerrilla leader,

was given the vital position of Minister of Defense.

Phase IV, 12–16 August

Operations continued while Blue forces detached and deployed one airborne division for a theoretical emergency contingency mission elsewhere. Initiation of nuclear warfareRed offensive-withdrawal of 101st Air Division to Donaldson Field for deployment.

Blue forces, after conquering Newberry, set about assessing the influence of the Red invader on the social and political life of the people and the most effective means to quickly remove the effects of Red propaganda.

Red guerrillas countered by capturing Blue Homeland capital of Fayetteville, which was retaken again by Blue paratroops.

Phase V, 17 August

In the redeployment phase the Blue

Homeland actually detached the 101st Airborne Division from combat and withdrew the entire unit to Donaldson Field, from where it was airlifted and redeployed to its home station at Fort Campbell. The entire redeployment of this unit was accomplished under simulated combat conditions in an effort to determine the problems involved in removing a combat unit under fire in order to meet emergencies elsewhere.

While the 101st Airborne Division was

being deployed, it was under surveillance and subject to repeated attacks by Red Homeland forces. The 82d Airborne Division had the responsibility of extending itself so as to occupy all defense positions held by the 101st while protecting and covering the retreat of the 101st to Donaldson Field. The BHL Air Force of necessity had to increase its activities in order to protect and support the weakened positions of the 82d Airborne Division and prepare to withdraw the division from the Territory of Columbia should it become necessary.

21 JULY 1963

The Territory of Columbia air border was violated by Blue aircraft this morning. Earlier both Red and Blue Homelands have charged violation of air borders.

Blue claimed destruction of two unidentified aircraft that had penetrated to the vicinity of Winston-Salem. The intruders were claimed shot down almost exactly on the international boundary but inside Blue territory. Early Blue reconnaissance flights were unmolested, but by noon armed escort was necessary as the Red air defense became active. The Red forces claimed five RF-84F and four F-84F aircraft destroyed. The Blue force claimed two Red F-102 interceptors downed. During the first day of the Swift Strike III air phase, Blue Air Force flew 99 missions, Red Air Force 50 missions.

Planes from the Blue Joint Unconventional Warfare Task Force (JUWTF) dropped propaganda leaflets depicting a high-ranking Red military leader as a “beast." The Army Special Forces and the Air Force Air Commandos have been combined into the JUWTF for this exercise. The 400 guerrillas that triggered the war were trained and equipped by Special Forces, while support in supplies and equipment as well as psychological warfare in leaflet drops and airborne loudspeaker broadcasts was provided by Air Force Air Commandos. Since civilians are barred from participating in active maneuver engagements, soldiers from nonparticipating organizations played the guerrilla role that would normally be played by civilian residents of the Territory of Columbia sympathetic to the Blue cause.

Red guerrillas were active during the early

morning, infiltrating Pope Air Force Base, N.C., at 0230 hours, where they claimed destruction of six Blue aircraft. The raiders marked each aircraft with a red cross and thus simulated placing explosives in each wheel well. The Pope base defense was put on high alert status and succeeded in capturing two of the guerrillas.

Anti-Red guerrilla leaders have been busy in the Territory of Columbia at forming bands of selected local citizens to assist military guerrillas by gathering intelligence, marking drop zones, and acting as guides. The "Swamp Fox," who takes his name from the famous guerrilla leader in the Carolinas during the American Revolution, heads an organization dedicated to overthrowing the Red-oriented Columbian government. Since the government has no military forces of its own, the Swamp Fox should have an easy time of it unless the government asks for military help from the Red Homeland. If such help is given, the Blue Homeland has pledged substantial military assistance to Swamp Fox.

while the Blue Homeland dispatched 25 reconnaissance flights with armed escorts and 38 air defense scrambles.

In ground action, Red counterinsurgency forces opened operations against the Blue guerrillas this morning and uncovered a cache of food and ammunition within the Territory of Columbia, apparently hidden there by the Blue guerrilla forces.

22 JULY 1963

Red Air Force initiated reconnaissance flights into the Blue Homeland today, four unarmed aircraft penetrating 50 miles. The Blue forces claimed that all aircraft were engaged and two were destroyed. Blue further claimed the first aircraft shot down by ground defense at MacKall Army Air Field, N.C. Red forces reported 32 reconnaissance sorties and 117 air defense scrambles,