in October 1968 The 8th TFW (433rd TFS), picked up a Fast FAC assignment, under the call sign “Wolf”. Building on lessons learned by the earlier “Misty” and “Stormy” Fast FACs, five picked air crews were trained by the end of November. They drew their Phantom IIs from the wing’s aircraft pool, and used up unflown Operation Commando Hunt sorties to justify their missions. By December 1968, the “Wolf” FACs were flying 3.5-hour missions in the Steel Tiger area of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. In the face of communist antiaircraft fire, a prudent FAC operated at 5,000 feet altitude and jinked his craft constantly to confuse gunners’ aims. The “Wolf” FACs flew six sorties daily between 15 November 1968 and 15 April 1969. However, the dangerous and tiring visual reconnaissance missions were an important part of the interdiction campaign against the communist supply line
