Operations Enhance and Enhance Plus facts for kids

Operations Enhance and Enhance Plus were two important plans during the Vietnam War. They involved the United States giving lots of military gear and bases to the government of South Vietnam. This happened right before the Paris Peace Accords, which was a peace agreement that ended America's part in the war. These operations took place from May to December in 1972.

What Was Operation Enhance?

North Vietnam's Big Attack

In March 1972, North Vietnam launched a huge attack called the Easter Offensive. This attack was against South Vietnam. North Vietnam wanted to make South Vietnam's army weaker. They also wanted to take more land. Plus, they hoped to make America less willing to help South Vietnam. This attack happened while North Vietnam was talking about peace with the United States. They wanted to be in a stronger position before signing any agreement.

America Steps In

The Easter Offensive put a lot of pressure on South Vietnam's military. When the city of Quang Tri fell, it made people wonder if South Vietnam could hold on. So, on May 17, U.S. President Richard Nixon decided to act. He ordered that as much U.S. equipment as possible be given to South Vietnam very quickly.

On May 19, President Nixon approved a list of supplies. These supplies were to be given to South Vietnam by August 1. This is when Project Enhance began. Nixon also wanted South Vietnam to have plenty of military equipment. This was in case the peace agreement stopped new military supplies from coming in.

Equipment for South Vietnam

Operation Enhance gave South Vietnam's armed forces many weapons. They received artillery and anti-tank weapons. They also got 69 helicopters and 55 jet fighters. Plus, 100 other aircraft and 7 patrol boats were sent. The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) received special equipment. This included 2 air defense artillery groups. They also got 3 175mm artillery groups. Two M48A3 tank groups and 141 TOW missile launchers were also provided.

What Was Operation Enhance Plus?

More Aid Before Peace

On October 20, 1972, President Nixon ordered even more U.S. military equipment for South Vietnam. Nixon thought a peace agreement would be signed soon. He expected this agreement to stop new military help for South Vietnam. It would only allow old equipment to be replaced one-for-one. So, he wanted South Vietnam to have as much equipment as possible. This was before the new rules from the peace agreement started. The last shipment of equipment arrived on December 12. The peace agreement was finally signed on January 27, 1973.

Huge Amounts of Gear

The equipment sent to South Vietnam was massive. It included 234 F-5A and A-37 jet fighter planes. There were also 32 C-130 transport planes. Plus, 277 UH-1H helicopters were delivered. South Vietnam also received 72 tanks and 117 armored vehicles. Artillery and 1,726 trucks were part of the deal too.

The cost of all this equipment was about $750 million. That's like $5.7 billion in today's money (2015). Also, most of the U.S. equipment from two South Korean army groups (about 38,000 soldiers) was given to South Vietnam. The U.S. also gave South Vietnam ownership of its military bases. All the equipment on those bases was transferred as well.

How Did These Operations Help?

A Stronger South Vietnam?

Because of Operations Enhance and Enhance Plus, South Vietnam had a huge air force. By the end of 1972, it was the fourth largest in the world. However, there were questions about whether South Vietnam could use all this new equipment. Also, maintaining it was a big challenge.

An adviser to President Nguyen Van Thieu of South Vietnam said something important. He said these operations showed that the U.S. would not leave South Vietnam alone. This was a political message of support.

The End of Big Aid

The Paris Peace Accords were signed by everyone involved in the war. This happened on January 27, 1973. The agreement said that military equipment in South Vietnam could only be replaced one-for-one. This stopped the large transfers of military gear from the United States. The agreement also required almost all U.S. military people to leave. However, the U.S. would keep several thousand civilian advisers in South Vietnam.