 On 1 August 1968 , Brown assumed command of the Seventh Air Force and also became deputy commander for air operations , U.S. Military Assistance Command Vietnam , with the rank of general . As Seventh Air Force Commander , he was responsible for all Air Force combat air strike , air support and air defense operations in Southeast Asia . In his MACV position , he advised on all matters pertaining to tactical air support and coordinated the Republic of Vietnam and United States air operations in the MACV area of responsibility . According to <unk> , Brown and MACV commander General Creighton Abrams " were like two brothers " . General George F. Keegan felt that : 
