Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969–1976, Volume IX, Vietnam, October 1972–January 1973

211. Message From the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Moorer) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Gayler) and the Pacific Command Senior Commanders¹

Washington, December 20, 1972, 2106Z.

8786. For Commanders from Admiral Moorer. Deliver upon receipt. Subj: Linebacker II/Surge (U). Ref: JCS 7807/1923227 Dec 72.²

1. (TS) I note that favorable weather is forecast over Red River Delta during daylight hours 21 December, and possibly 22 December.

2. (TS) It is essential that we continue heaviest possible pressure on authorized targets north of 20 degrees north and to do this we must take full advantage of every weather window that opens. These all too infrequent occurrences afford us the opportunity to let the enemy feel the full weight of our air capability and to attack those critical targets requiring visual delivery.

3. (TS) I anticipate that you will surge the force to the maximum for strikes north of 20 degrees north on the 21st, recognizing we may have to reduce the weight of effort in other areas and other missions, including Destructor seedings. Priorities in the ref apply.

Warm regards.

1. Source: National Archives, RG 218, Records of the Chairman, Records of Thomas Moorer, Box 71, Linebacker II Messages, December 1972. Top Secret; Immediate; Specat; Exclusive.
2. The message, December 19, 2322Z, to Meyer, Weyand, and Gayler reminded them of the guidelines for prioritizing sortie allocation in the bombing campaign and for delivering specific orders to each commander. (Ibid.)