Tomorrow in Aviation History: May 7, 1975 – Official End of the Vietnam War.

Photo © War History Online and downloaded on April 30, 2025 from: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-day-saigon-fell-how-chaos-helicopters-and-history-marked-the-end-of-a-war-america-couldn-t-win/ss-AA1DUmLX?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=b26d07dd56d649cc878b5ae26d48e7a7&ei=40#image=2

From War History Online:  “The final evacuation of Saigon was code-named Operation Frequent Wind, becoming the largest helicopter evacuation in history. Over 18 hours, more than 70 helicopters transported approximately 7,000 people to safety aboard U.S. Navy ships waiting offshore.  Pilots flew continuous missions despite dangerous conditions and exhaustion. Some choppers had to be pushed overboard after landing on aircraft carriers to make room for more incoming aircraft.

“During the Vietnam War, thousands of U.S. aircraft were lost to antiaircraft artillery (AAA), surface-to-air missiles (SAMs), and fighter interceptors (MiG)s. The great majority of U.S. combat losses in all areas of Southeast Asia were to AAA. The Royal Australian Air Force also flew combat and airlift missions in South Vietnam, as did the South Vietnamese Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF). Among fixed-wing aircraft, more F-4 Phantoms were lost than any other type in service with any nation.”

May 7, 1975 is the 50^th Anniversary of the official end of the War in Vietnam.  Many have been  quoted lamenting the loss of lives and treasure during the war.

Speaking of those losses and in honor of the lives and treasure lost and according to Wikipedia, “There were about 11,846 U.S helicopters that served in the Vietnam War. U.S records show 5,607 helicopter losses.

“In total, the United States military lost in Vietnam almost 10,000 aircraft (3,744 planes, 5,607 helicopters and about 1,000 UAVs. The United States lost 578 Ryan Model 147 Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (554 over Vietnam and 24 over China). More than 400 QH-50C/D UAVs were also lost.”

Photo © Daily Mail and downloaded on April 30, 2025 from:  https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/the-day-saigon-fell-how-chaos-helicopters-and-history-marked-the-end-of-a-war-america-couldn-t-win/ss-AA1DUmLX?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=b26d07dd56d649cc878b5ae26d48e7a7&ei=40#image=5  

“The destroyer escort USS Kirk became the stage for an extraordinary rescue when South Vietnamese pilots flew their families to safety in military helicopters. With no landing space available, pilots hovered precariously while dropping off passengers, then ditched their aircraft in the ocean.  One pilot even managed the impossible – hovering his massive Chinook helicopter alongside the Kirk while his family jumped to safety. The crew saved 157 people from these helicopters in a display of remarkable improvisation.”

Again, according to Wikipedia, “South Vietnam lost 1,018 aircraft and helicopters from January 1964 to September 1973. 877 Republic of Vietnam aircraft were captured at war’s end (1975) Of the 2,750 aircraft and helicopters received by South Vietnam, only about 308 survived (240 flew to Thailand or U.S. warships and 68 returned to the United States).

“In total, the US, South Vietnam and Australia, lost about 12,800 aircraft, helicopters and UAVs.

“North Vietnam lost 150 to 170 aircraft and helicopters.”

Onward and upward!

Sources:  Wikipedia, The Daily Mail, War History Online