the u.s. began a rapid build-up of airpower. the air force deployed 176 f-4 phantoms and 12 f-105s from bases in the republic of korea and the u.s. to thailand between 1 april and 11 may in operation constant guard. strategic air command (sac) dispatched 124 b-52s from the u.s. to guam bringing the total b-52 strength available for operations to 209. the navy cut short its in-port period for the carriers and and ordered , and to augment the fleet so that four or more carrier air wings could conduct missions simultaneously. 7th fleet assets in local waters were thereby increased from 84 to 138 ships.