Ep 2. Air Ambush

Dogfights is a documentary series that explores the aerial battles fought during various wars throughout history. Season 1 episode 2, titled "Air Ambush", takes a closer look at the intense air combat that took place during the Vietnam War.

The episode begins by highlighting the dangerous missions that American pilots had to undertake during the Vietnam War. The focus is on a group of pilots who were responsible for providing air support to the troops on the ground. They were known as forward air controllers, or FACs, and their job was to locate enemy positions and call in airstrikes to eliminate them.

The episode then introduces us to two of the most prominent airplanes used during the Vietnam War - the F-4 Phantom and the A-4 Skyhawk. The F-4 was a formidable aircraft that was capable of carrying a variety of bombs and missiles, while the A-4 was a smaller, more maneuverable plane that was used primarily for ground attacks.

As the episode progresses, we get a closer look at two specific dogfights that occurred during the Vietnam War. The first one took place on November 8, 1967, and involved a group of F-4s that were ambushed by North Vietnamese MiG-21s. The F-4s had been sent on a mission to destroy a key enemy bridge, but they were caught off guard by the superior maneuverability of the MiGs.

The episode provides a detailed account of the intense battle that followed, with both sides maneuvering and firing their weapons in an attempt to gain the upper hand. The American pilots managed to shoot down two of the MiGs, but they lost one of their own planes in the process. Despite the loss, the F-4 pilots were able to complete their mission and destroy the bridge.

The second dogfight that is highlighted in the episode took place on May 10, 1972. This time, it was a group of A-4s that were ambushed by North Vietnamese MiG-17s. The A-4s were on a mission to attack a key enemy target, but they were intercepted by the MiGs before they could reach their destination.

Again, the episode provides a detailed account of the intense aerial battle that followed, with both sides maneuvering and firing their weapons in close proximity to each other. The smaller, more maneuverable A-4s proved to be a match for the MiG-17s, and the American pilots were able to shoot down several of the enemy planes. Despite the heavy fighting, the A-4 pilots were able to complete their mission and successfully destroy their target.

Overall, "Air Ambush" is a fascinating episode that provides a detailed look at the intense aerial combat that took place during the Vietnam War. With stunning archival footage and in-depth interviews with pilots who were involved in the battles, the episode provides a glimpse into the dangers and challenges that American pilots faced during this conflict.