Laos
| NKP Commandos |
| Laos-Secret War Operational (Laos- Land of a million elephants) |
| Lima Sites in Laos |
At any given moment fierce combat was taking
place between Gen. Vang Pao,s soldiers and the
NVA, or between the general's soldiers and the
Pathet Lao. The 56th SOW operated in these areas
to support the Hmong forces and the U.S. Personnel
directing the action. All types of mission were
undertaken to include air support, search and
rescue, direct air strikes, resupply and forward air
control.
place between Gen. Vang Pao,s soldiers and the
NVA, or between the general's soldiers and the
Pathet Lao. The 56th SOW operated in these areas
to support the Hmong forces and the U.S. Personnel
directing the action. All types of mission were
undertaken to include air support, search and
rescue, direct air strikes, resupply and forward air
control.
Operation Areas Barrel Roll and Steel Tiger
The 56th SOW worked Barrel Roll and Steel Tiger on a daily
basis conducting missions relating to forward air control,
direct air support, direct air strikes, search and rescue,
insertion and extraction, search and rescue and interdiction.
The conditions were extremely hazardous on the ground
and in the air. Many aircraft and personnel were lost in these
operational areas. The Ho Chi Minh Trail is located in Steel
Tiger. Igloo White was used in extensively in Steel Tiger.
basis conducting missions relating to forward air control,
direct air support, direct air strikes, search and rescue,
insertion and extraction, search and rescue and interdiction.
The conditions were extremely hazardous on the ground
and in the air. Many aircraft and personnel were lost in these
operational areas. The Ho Chi Minh Trail is located in Steel
Tiger. Igloo White was used in extensively in Steel Tiger.
| Ho Chi Minh Trail |
Another view of the Steel Tiger Area with the Ho Chi
Minh Trail being depicted. The trail was a series of
improved roads, unimproved roads, trails and foot
paths used by North Vietnam to ferry food,
ammunition, equipment and supplies to their troops in
South Vietnam and Cambodia. Portions of trail had
been previously used for decades as trade routes
between the countries.
Minh Trail being depicted. The trail was a series of
improved roads, unimproved roads, trails and foot
paths used by North Vietnam to ferry food,
ammunition, equipment and supplies to their troops in
South Vietnam and Cambodia. Portions of trail had
been previously used for decades as trade routes
between the countries.
| Phou Pha Thi- Lima Site 85 |
LS 85 was on a mountaintop less than 20 miles from North
Vietnam. In 1967, the U.S. Air Force installed a radar site that
could guide aircraft to their targets in any weather, night or
day. This was extremely important to the U.S. due to the
erratic weather in Laos. In March, 1968 the North
Vietnamese sent approximately 3,000 soldiers to take the
site and destroy the radar. They were successful. Of the 19
Americans on duty, 11 were killed and eight were rescued.
The last one rescued, however, was mortally wounded just
after entering the rescue helicopter. The United States then
bombed the site to deny the NVA access to classified
material.
Vietnam. In 1967, the U.S. Air Force installed a radar site that
could guide aircraft to their targets in any weather, night or
day. This was extremely important to the U.S. due to the
erratic weather in Laos. In March, 1968 the North
Vietnamese sent approximately 3,000 soldiers to take the
site and destroy the radar. They were successful. Of the 19
Americans on duty, 11 were killed and eight were rescued.
The last one rescued, however, was mortally wounded just
after entering the rescue helicopter. The United States then
bombed the site to deny the NVA access to classified
material.
Plane De Jarres (Plain of Jars)
The Plain is one of the few level pieces of land in Laos. It's
relatively flat and has a lot of history. The landscape is littered
with very large stone pots or vessels that resemble jars. Hence
the name Plain of Jars, or as the France called it, Plane De
Jarres. Historically, this was always very desirable real estate
from the perspective of war. Opposing forces were always
fighting for this area.
relatively flat and has a lot of history. The landscape is littered
with very large stone pots or vessels that resemble jars. Hence
the name Plain of Jars, or as the France called it, Plane De
Jarres. Historically, this was always very desirable real estate
from the perspective of war. Opposing forces were always
fighting for this area.
Lima Site 20A- The Alternate
| LS20A was the unofficial and unacknowledged headquarters for the Secret War in Laos. From this location all combat activities were planned and executed. This site became the second largest city in Laos during the war. This installation was Top Secret. |
LS20A- Another View
| This photo depicts the settlement consisting of buildings, houses and other structures at Long Tieng (pronounced as Long Cheng). Notice the limestone karst at the end of the runway. On numerous occasions the karst is what finally stopped the landing aircraft. |
| LS20A-Better View of runway area |
This photo gives you a better view of the karst at the
end of the runway. It also shows the Laotian T-28
aircraft used by the Lao pilots to fight the Pathet Lao
and NVA. In the near ground you can make out 3
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog aircraft used by the U.S. Air
Force group known as "The Ravens". The Ravens
flew forward air control missions in Laos under
extremely dangerous conditions. Many Ravens were
lost in combat.
end of the runway. It also shows the Laotian T-28
aircraft used by the Lao pilots to fight the Pathet Lao
and NVA. In the near ground you can make out 3
Cessna O-1 Bird Dog aircraft used by the U.S. Air
Force group known as "The Ravens". The Ravens
flew forward air control missions in Laos under
extremely dangerous conditions. Many Ravens were
lost in combat.
The Gentle Beasts of Burden
The war began in approximately 1962 and hostilities
ended in 1975, but these gentle giants did not change.
They were loyal, hard-working and demanded little. They
are still that way today. Perhaps something can be
learned by man from these wonderful creatures.
ended in 1975, but these gentle giants did not change.
They were loyal, hard-working and demanded little. They
are still that way today. Perhaps something can be
learned by man from these wonderful creatures.
Royal Lao Flag
until 1975.
until 1975.
Laos- Land of a million Elephants
(Or so the legend goes)
(Or so the legend goes)
'Water Buffalo
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White Elephant
( Laos)
( Laos)