Dragonfly: the A-37 in the War

[Matt Wiser]

The A-37 at war, and on both sides...


The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly in World War III


The Cessna A-37 was developed from the popular T-37 Tweet trainer as a COIN aircraft for the Vietnam War, and to replace the South Vietnamese Air Force's A-1 Skyraiders. Developed between 1963 and 1967, the A-37A was the initial model sent to Southeast Asia, and after several shortcomings such as range and payload were identified, the A-37B with increased fuel capacity and an uprated J-85 engine became the main production version delivered to both the USAF and VNAF, with additional aircraft delivered to a number of Latin American countries. The aircraft was also used as a Forward Air Control platform, designated OA-37B. The aircraft was in active duty and in Air National Guard service at the outbreak of war, and though rushed into combat during the initial invasion, they suffered heavily, and were withdrawn from combat in high-threat areas. The ANG squadrons began converting to the A-4 or A-10, with reformed USAF Special Operations Squadrons taking on the Counter-SOF mission.


YAT-37D: Initial prototypes from two T-37 trainers. Two J-85 engines and six pylons.

YA-37A: Prototypes redesignated as YA-37A.

A-37A: Eight pylons, J-85GE-5 engine, and internal GAU-2 minigun. 39 converted from T-37B trainers.

A-37B: Main production version; J-85GE-17 engine, improved fuel capacity, strengthened airframe and provision for inflight refueling. 577 built, with 234 passed to VNAF. 92 of which recovered during fall of South Vietnam.

OA-37B: A-37Bs used as FAC platforms with observer in right seat. Full armament capability.


Users:


USAF and ANG:

6th Special Operations Training Squadron: Reactivated to provide type training for air and ground crew; Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ initially, then Wendover AFB, UT.

19th Tactical Air Support Squadron: Redeployed from South Korea, and committed as Counter-SOF in Pacific Northwest. Flew OA-37B version.

42nd Airborne Command and Control Squadron: Assigned to 355th TFW at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. Redesignated 601st Special Operations Squadron and flew Counter-SOF in Desert Southwest.

90th Special Operations Squadron: Reactivated with survivors from ANG units depleted by combat. Primary Counter-SOF squadron along Northern Mississippi River line.

317th Special Operations Squadron: Reactivated with aircraft out of AMARC. Primary Counter-SOF unit in Colorado and Wyoming.

604th Special Operations Squadron: Reactivated with transferred ANG aircraft from FAC units. Primary Counter-SOF unit, Southern Mississippi River line.

103rd Tactical Fighter Squadron (PA ANG): Based at NAS Willow Grove, PA. Committed to combat in mid-September, 1985, and lost sixteen of twenty-four assigned aircraft in initial combat tour. Refitted with A-4s from AMARC and aircraft transferred to 90th SOS.

169th Tactical Air Support Squadron (IL ANG): Based at Peoria ANG Base, IL. Committed to combat in September, 1985, and lost fourteen of twenty-four aircraft during their combat tour. Refitted with A-4s from AMARC and aircraft transferred to 604th SOS.

172nd Tactical Air Support Squadron (MI ANG): Based at Kellogg Airport, Battle Creek, MI: Committed to combat in September, 1985 as only Dragonfly unit on Northern Front, serving as FACs. Ten of twenty-four aircraft lost in combat, and squadron refitted with A-10s fresh from the Fairchild-Republic production line. Aircraft transferred to 90th SOS.

The A-37 was also used by Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala after the Communist takeovers in those countries. However, the aircraft remained as COIN platforms, as anti-Communist insurgents supported by the U.S and later, Britain, began to cause trouble. Few of the aircraft survived the war and the postwar coups that followed.

[Wolfman]

Where used against enemy SOF, this plane got the job done, but it had absolutely no place anywhere near the front lines…