The 41st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (41st TEWS) flew the EB-66 Destroyer during the Vietnam War from October 1965 to October 1969, providing critical electronic countermeasures (ECM) to protect U.S. strike aircraft from North Vietnamese radar-guided defenses.
The squadron was initially activated as the 41st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in October 1965 at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, flying RB-66 aircraft. In March 1967, its mission evolved, and it was redesignated as the 41st Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, flying the specialized EB-66C and EB-66E variants
The primary role of the 41st TEWS during the EB-66 era was to disrupt North Vietnamese radar systems that guided surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and anti-aircraft artillery.
The EB-66C models were used to detect, locate, and gather intelligence on enemy radar frequencies and locations. The aircraft used powerful jamming equipment to “blind” enemy radar, creating safe corridors for F-105 Thunderchiefs and other strike aircraft to bomb targets in North Vietnam.
Initially, the unarmed EB-66s flew vulnerable, predictable oval patterns (“racetracks”) near enemy airspace. After one aircraft was shot down by a MiG, operational tactics were changed to have them orbit just outside North Vietnamese airspace. Due to their effectiveness, the North Vietnamese specifically targeted the EB-66 aircraft, which were considered essential assets for U.S. bombing campaigns. The squadron experienced losses to both MiGs and SAMs during this period.
USAF bombing missions deep into North Vietnam always required EB-66 support, even though there were relatively few EB-66s. Moreover, the B-66 was out of production, so repair and shortages of spare parts made it difficult to keep aircraft flying. Losses further reduced the number of available aircraft. EB-66s were so successful that the enemy specifically targeted them. MiG fighters shot down one EB-66 and SAMs shot down five. Eleven more EB-66s were lost to accidents.
The 41st TEWS was inactivated on October 31, 1969, as the U.S. began troop withdrawals. The Air Force retired the last of its EB-66 fleet in 1974. (return to the TAC RECCE page)
41st TEWS Photos
41st TEWS Patches
