Question

During Operation Rolling Thunder, the rules of engagement allowed for enemy MIG aircraft on the ground would be considered legitimate targets.

A) True
B) False

Answer 1

(b) It is false that enemy MIG aircraft on the ground were considered legitimate targets throughout Operation Rolling Thunder, due to strict rules of engagement aimed at minimizing civilian casualties and avoiding escalation with the Soviet Union.

Step-by-step explanation:

During Operation Rolling Thunder, the rules of engagement were quite strict and although the campaign was aimed at military targets, there were limitations on what could be attacked. It is false that enemy MIG aircraft on the ground were considered legitimate targets throughout Operation Rolling Thunder.

The focus was to bomb strategic military targets in North Vietnam to reduce their capability to fight, but grounded MIG aircraft were not routinely targeted to avoid escalation with the Soviet Union who supplied these aircraft. Furthermore, the effort to minimize civilian casualties also placed restrictions on the types of targets that could be attacked.