The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, or "Thud," played a crucial role in Vietnam, particularly in the dangerous Wild Weasel missions. These missions involved flying into heavily defended enemy airspace to locate and destroy North Vietnamese surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites, using electronic warfare to detect radar signals. The F-105F and later the G models were adapted for this role, carrying radar-homing missiles like the AGM-45 Shrike. The danger level for Wild Weasel crews was extraordinarily high. The F-105 had one of the highest loss rates of any aircraft in Vietnam—over half of the 833 F-105s deployed were lost, with Wild Weasel missions being especially perilous due to their role as "bait" to draw out enemy SAM operators. The chance of survival for aircrew was grim, with many pilots being shot down or captured. The unofficial motto of Wild Weasel crews, "YGBSM" ("You Gotta Be Shittin' Me"), originated from the incredulous reaction of the first volunteers when briefed on the suicidal nature of their missions. The phrase perfectly captured the mix of disbelief and dark humour that became part of the Wild Weasel identity.
