Wild Weasel II and III

The Wild Weasel II version was the first unsuccessful attempt to use the F-4C Phantom as a Wild Weasel platform. When that effort failed, the Wild Weasel role was then passed to the F-105F in the summer of 1966. The F-105F was converted for the role and was designated Wild Weasel III. The F-105F was equipped with more advanced radar, jamming equipment, and a heavier armament. Anti-radiation missiles were outfitted that could seek out radar emplacements. The F-105F Wild Weasel airframes were eventually modified with improved countermeasures components in a standardized configuration and designated the F-105G. The F-105G was also designated Wild Weasel III; 61 F-105F units were upgraded to F-105G specifications. Although in some documentation the F-105F was referred to as an EF-105F, that designation never existed in the operational flying squadrons.

F-105F Thud Wild Weasels

The two-seat Wild Weasel III F-105F Thunderchief or “Thud” formed the backbone of USAF SAM suppression during Operation Rolling Thunder. The F-105 Wild Weasels continued to develop tactics, flying two types of missions — strike support, by far the more common of the two, and “hunter-killer” search and destroy attacks. As North Vietnamese defenses strengthened, the “Thud” Wild Weasels became essential for high-threat strikes “up North.”

In May and June 1966, 11 F-105F Wild Weasel aircraft arrived in Thailand. More arrived, flying with the 335th TFW at Takhli and the 388th TFW at Korat, Thailand. Even so, the number of Wild Weasel aircraft and aircrews remained small — and in high demand — throughout the Southeast Asia War.

The first Wild Weasel F-105Fs carried the same basic electronic equipment as F-100Fs, but additional sensors were added over time. The F-105F Wild Weasel typically carried two Shrike anti-radar missiles, along with a heavy load of bombs or rockets. Although the Shrike missile was not ideal (the range of the Shrike was well within the lethal range of the SA-2), it finally gave the Wild Weasels the capacity to mark and damage a site from afar. Like their predecessors, the F-105F Wild Weasels often led conventional F-105s that helped finish off SAM sites.

Despite the periodic bombing halts, the Rolling Thunder campaign intensified through 1966 and 1967. Meanwhile, enemy SAM and AAA defenses strengthened, making the Wild Weasels crucial to the success of strikes deep into North Vietnam. In October 1965, U.S. intelligence estimated North Vietnam had about six SA-2 batteries. By the end of Rolling Thunder in November 1968, there were about 30 SA-2 batteries.

Though they remained a threat, North Vietnamese SA-2s became less effective due to the Wild Weasels and other anti-SAM measures. In 1965 the North Vietnamese fired about 15 SA-2s for every aircraft shot down. By the end of Rolling Thunder, they had to fire an average of 48 missiles to down one aircraft.

Success, however, came at a high price for the Wild Weasels. Of the eight crews (16 airmen) who initially flew out of Takhli, four had been killed, two were POWs and two had been wounded in action. Only four of these airmen finished their 100 mission tours.

A weasel, nicknamed Willie, figures prominently in many official and unofficial Wild Weasel patches and logos. (U.S. Air Force)
apt. Dorrough (l) and his EWO, Maj. Clarence “Bud” Summers, celebrating the completion of 100 missions over North Vietnam. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Capt. Larry Huggins. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Of the 143 F-105F trainers built, 86 were converted into Wild Weasels like the one pictured here. Because of the high losses attributed to such a dangerous mission, though, there were typically fewer than a dozen aircraft available for missions at any one time. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Maj. William Robinson, pilot (l), and Maj. Peter Tsouprake, EWO (r), celebrate their 100th mission. Earlier, on July 5, 1966, they flew lead on a large strike mission north of Hanoi. Disregarding their own safety, they braved intense ground fire and several SAMs to attack four SA-2 sites. Three were knocked out and the fourth was heavily damaged. For their valor, they were both awarded the Air Force Cross. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Capt. Billy Sparks (left), pilot, and Maj. Carlo Lombardo (right), electronic warfare officer, with the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Takhli, in 1967. Lombardo, also known as “Grouchy Bear,” often said to Sparks, “All of the brains are in the back seat and all of the decisions are in the front seat!” (U.S. Air Force photo)
The elements of a “hunter-killer” team: F-105F Wild Weasel with Shrikes and F-105D with bombs. (U.S. Air Force photo)
On April 23, 1967, Capt. Jerry Hoblit (l), pilot, and Capt. Tom Wilson (r), EWO, flew No. 3 in a four aircraft Wild Weasel formation on a strike against the heavily-defended area around Thai Nguyen, North Vietnam. Dodging three SA-2s, Hoblit and Wilson bombed one SAM site and fired their Shrikes against another. When an SA-2 missile damaged the lead aircraft, Hoblit and Wilson kept the SAM crew’s attention by engaging it, dodging yet another SA-2. Hoblit and Wilson then remained behind to cover the crew of an RF-4C that had been shot down before the strike. None of the strike aircraft were lost. For their valor and daring, Capt. Hoblit was awarded the Air Force Cross, and Capt. Wilson was awarded the Silver Star. (U.S. Air Force photo)
Individual crews had their pictures taken when they arrived in theater, like this one taken at Korat in 1968. Capt. George Connolly (l) and Capt. Larry LeMieux (r) are both wearing the commonly worn, locally-made “boonie hat.” (U.S. Air Force photo)
F-105F Wild Weasels from the 561 TFS at Korat RTAFB, Thailand January 1973