<p>Laser-guided bombs were used on Commando Bolt strikes beginning in 1968. An AC-130 gunship located and designated the target with a laser, while two F-4s dropped their bombs into the capture area of the designator. It was a tricky procedure and called for some very exacting coordination between the AC-130 and the F-4s.
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<p>Later, a handful of F-4s was equipped with laser designators, so that they could illuminate the target themselves after the gunship had located it. As the last step in the development of that weapon system, some FAC OV-10s were fitted with the Pave Nail system, enabling them to designate the targets with a laser, finally freeing the AC-130s for their primary job of truck-killing.
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<p>NVA anti-aircraft was heavy and often accurate at night. When it opened up, either an AC-130 or an OV-10 would locate it with infra-red detection and call in an F-4 with a laser-directed bomb. Generally one was enough.
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<p>Gunships also were called in for these kills, although they were not considered as part of the Commando Bolt strikes because they did not have the necessary onboard equipment. What they did have on board turned out to be a much more effective killer than almost anything the Commando Bolt strikes were able to bring to bear.
