Operation Linebacker primarily commenced in April 1972 as a U.S. response to North Vietnam's major military offensive, known as the Easter Offensive. This large-scale operation aimed to gain leverage in the ongoing Paris Peace Talks and to hinder North Vietnamese troop movements and logistics. The bombing raids targeted critical infrastructure, including transportation routes, supply depots, and military installations in North Vietnam, with significant emphasis on areas such as Hanoi and Haiphong. U.S. forces utilized advanced strategies, incorporating B-52 bombers and fighter jets to carry out precision strikes and saturate bombing campaigns.The campaign was marked by its intensity and volume, representing a shift from earlier, more restrained bombing campaigns. The bombing caused widespread damage and civilian casualties, raising ethical concerns and prompting protests back in the United States. However, it did aim to diminish the effectiveness of North Vietnamese forces and to push them towards a peace settlement with the U.S. government. By late October 1972, after five months of relentless airstrikes, Operation Linebacker officially ended, setting the stage for more strenuous negotiations leading to the eventual signing of the Paris Peace Accords in January 1973. These accords aimed to establish peace in Vietnam and facilitate the withdrawal of U.S. troops.The end of Operation Linebacker marked a transition in U.S. strategy, moving from a bombing campaign to a negotiation phase, highlighting the complexities of military involvement and international diplomacy. It reflected the broader context of the Vietnam War, where military actions were inextricably linked to the political landscape both in Vietnam and the United States, with lasting implications for U.S. foreign policy.