<article><hdr>Line up of A-1 Skyraiders</hdr><body>
<hi style=afpcap>The Air Force found it difficult to perform certain close air support roles in Vietnam, with the need to acquire a simple, yet rugged ground attack aircraft type. The most suitable type was the Douglas A-1 Skyraider which had been operated in large numbers by the Navy and was being retired for storage. The Air Force obtained 50 A-1Es for Tactical Air Command, with other batches of A-1G, H and J models being received. These flew flew thousands of combat missions, many of which were against the North Vietnamese or Viet Cong to suppress their attempts to capture downed airmen.</hi>
