CONTROLS:
AG1: HOOK
AG2: Set Trim
AG3: Airbrake
AG4: Active missiles
AG5: Drop bomb
AG6: Navigation lights
AG7: Drop external fuel tank
AG8: Canopy

VTOL: Flaps
Trim
Brake: Spoilers

On July 25, 1967, Forrestal reached Yankee Station in the Gulf of Tonkin[92] and joined Operation Rolling Thunder, the 1965–68 air interdiction and strategic bombing campaign against North Vietnam.[94][95] By the end of 1966, Rolling Thunder was not meeting its most important goals.

Accordingly, for 1967 an emphasized focus was placed on strategic industrial and resupply targets such as power plants, port facilities, and the like, including some targets that had previously been deemed too politically sensitive to attack.

In particular, the alpha strikes flown from Forrestal were against specific, pre-selected targets such as arms depots, factories, and bridges.

The flights were quite dangerous, due to the strength of the North Vietnamese air defenses, which used Soviet-designed and -supplied surface-to-air missiles, anti-aircraft artillery, and MiG jet interceptors.[99] McCain's first five attack missions over North Vietnam went without incident, and while still unconcerned with minor Navy regulations, McCain had garnered the reputation of a serious aviator.

 McCain and his fellow pilots were frustrated by the micromanagement of Rolling Thunder from Washington;[98] he later wrote, "The target list was so restricted that we had to go back and hit the same targets over and over again...

Most of our pilots flying the missions believed that our targets were virtually worthless.

In all candor, we thought our civilian commanders were complete idiots who didn't have the least notion of what it took to win the war.

Photos by: MAHADI
FT [edensk]

pilot created by L1nus