Arc Light missions

Arc Light missions were a series of bombing raids conducted by the United States during the Vietnam War, primarily from 1965 to 1973. These operations aimed to destroy enemy infrastructure, logistics, and support networks in North Vietnam, as well as to target the Ho Chi Minh Trail in neighboring countries. Utilizing B-52 bombers, these missions delivered large quantities of explosives over wide areas, intending to disrupt North Vietnamese military operations. They were controversial due to their significant impact on civilian areas and the environment, which raised ethical and humanitarian concerns during and after the conflict.