Snake
Sir, I am just a simple kid with a passion for anything to do with the military. Unlike yourself, my knowledge about the Linebacker operations(and the Vietnam war in general) is limited to reading and regurgitating various texts. Fortunately, there are forums like this, which facilitate the exchange of ideas and information. Moreover, I appreciate the opportunity to be able to converse with some one who was not only present, but who also had an integral part in the day to day line backer operations. Gordon and Davison's book relies heavily on Russian sources and documentation. As in any conflict, there will be varying reports from either respective side.
Acording to Globalsecurity.org-
"Overall Air Force losses included fifteen B-52s, two F-4s, two F-111s, and one HH-53 search and rescue helicopter. Navy losses included two A-7s, two A-6s, one RA-5, and one F-4. Seventeen of these losses were attributed to SA-2 missiles, three to daytime MiG attacks, three to antiaircraft artillery, and three to unknown causes."
This following link explains a little bit about the Mi-6 and also states that they were used to air lift 17s and 21s-
http://richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/Muse ... index.html
"If you still doubt the size of this machine, consider this - the Mi-6 can carry twice as much as the largest American helicopter, the CH-64 Tarhe "Sky Crane" - in fact, it's capable of lifting a Tarhe. The accompanying sign said that it had often lifted MiG-17s and MiG-21s; the Vietnamese would conceal their aircraft in servicing areas in the jungle and airlift them to a roughly prepared field for takeoff, then return them to the jungle afterwards. Most remarkable perhaps is the Hook's ability to transport up to 120 people when it's in its high-density seating configuration! When it's in forward flight, the 15 meter span wings provide about 20 per cent of the total lift; these wings are detachable and are normally not used when the helicopter is being used for fire-fighting."
I am sorry if any of my previous points seemed over-assertive. I am just merely going off the info available to me.
"but instead either roll inverted or unload and dive for the safety of their triple AAA cover should an air to air fighter chase them"
That is a very interesting point. Would the Migs ever attack and then run- to try to pull following US aircraft into SAM or AAA traps? Seems like a tactic that an out numbered and technologically inferior force would pull. Heard of similar tactics during the 1982 Lebanon airwar. Syrian migs would engage more advanced IAF aircraft and run, hoping to pull them into a SAM trap.
Regards,
A1rao