In Vietnam the group provided combat ready aircraft and crews in support of air and ground operations in Southeast Asia.

In addition, two maintenance squadrons were transferred to provide for the group's fleet of Cessna O-1 Bird Dogs.

[1][3] However, the Air Force was unable to provide sufficient trained FACs to meet the demands of the war and the group did not exceed 70% of its manning requirements in this area until 1969.

[4] Detachment 1 of the group was established at Binh Thuy Air Base to operate the Theater Indoctrination School.

[6] With two engines, the Skymaster was more capable than the Bird Dog, whose slow speed and lack of armor made it "fair game" for enemy gunners.

[8] The 20th Attack Squadron at Da Nang Air Base was the first of the group's units to fly the Skymaster.

[1] Although controlling airstrikes was a large part of the FAC mission, group aircraft performed visual reconnaissance to detect enemy movements.

Because Viet Cong forces typically moved during hours of darkness, most sorties were flown at dawn or dusk.

[12] The group's comprehensive visual reconnaissance program resulted in Viet Cong forces essentially halting daytime movement in areas visible from the air.

After June, the operation around Saigon expanded, with Army helicopter gunships assuming responsibility for two of the four sectors around the capital.

This program was concentrated in Vietnam, although it was expanded to include support for special forces teams operating in Cambodia and Laos.

[citation needed] This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency