Which operation is often associated with an escalation of U.S. airpower during the Vietnam War?

Operation Rolling Thunder is often associated with the escalation of U.S. airpower during the Vietnam War due to its extensive strategic bombing campaign aimed at North Vietnam. Launched in 1965, this operation marked the first sustained American bombing campaign over North Vietnam and was intended to weaken the North's ability to supply and support Viet Cong forces in South Vietnam. The scale of bombing missions under Operation Rolling Thunder represented a significant shift in U.S. military involvement, moving beyond advisory and support roles to direct combat engagement.

The operation was characterized by its phased approach, starting with restricted bombing in the early stages and escalating to more aggressive tactics as the campaign progressed. This escalation included large bombings on key military targets, infrastructure, and supply routes, which corresponded with increased troop deployments and a broader military strategy to assert dominance over the conflict.

By directly escalating air operations, Operation Rolling Thunder also aimed to exert political pressure on North Vietnam to negotiate, further signifying its strategic importance in the context of the Vietnam War.