Did navy aviators serve as combat troops in Vietnam?

Answer 1

The Vietnam War was America's last traditional 20th century war: 1. The last use of propeller driven attack warplanes (A-1 Skyraider: Shown in Film; "Rescue Dawn"). 2. The last use of the fixed-wing single engined Artillery Observation Airplanes (0-1 Bird-Dog, for adjusting Artillery fire). 3. The last use of the Army .45 Colt Pistol. 4. The last use of the Army Steel Helmet (M-1 steel pot). 5. The last use of a NON-Computerized Battle Tank. 6. The last use of conventional maps and compass for land navigation. 7. The last use of HEAVY bombers, bombing an enemy NATION into submission (B-52's over Hanoi). 8. The last use of the US Navy's WAVES (Women Allowed for Voluntary Emergency Naval Service); the US Army's WAC's (Women's Army Corps); and the US Air Force's WAF's (Women in the Air Force). All were disbanded in about 1975. 9. The last war fought by WW2 veterans: General's Curtis LeMay, Westmoreland, Abrams, Robin Olds, etc. 10. The last war fought in which the US Army was strictly the US Army (with the exception of the new Green Berets in 1961); the US Navy was strictly the US Navy (with the exception of the UDT-Under Water Demolition Teams-also known as FROGMEN during WW2, becoming SEALS during the Vietnam War); the USAF was STRICTLY the US Air Force. During the Vietnam War, the only ground troops the USAF had was US Air Force AIR POLICE/SECURITY MEN; who were trained at US Army Forts for ground combat. US Army or US Marine units would often provide US Airfield security by positioning tanks or ACAVs around their perimeters, and if need be, provide dismounted patrols. After the Vietnam War (and the Cold War)...during the 1990's, amongst the countless military base closures through-out the US, the military was being forced OUT OF A JOB. Unless the Federal Laws were amended, and with the military's willingness to do so, the military was "asked" to take on LAW ENFORCEMENT duties in addition to National Defense functions, if the military refused...then they faced a further reduction in forces (more base closures). The US Military consented, the laws were amended, and today the US Military is also a form of Law Enforcement Agency. As of 1990, the US Air Force has Ground Troops. Today's US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines appear to be evolving into a "combined military/law enforcement service." Within the next 20 years, we may no longer have an Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines as we know it today...it possibly might come under a new title...the "US National Defense Forces."

Answer 2

US military pilots or aircrewmen flying combat aircraft in or over North/South Vietnam were combat troops. Just because a man operated a jet, helicopter, tank, swift boat, battleship, cruiser, destroyer, or artillery piece didn't mean he wasn't a "combat troop."

A man didn't have to be an infantryman to qualify as a "combat troop."