Here There are Tigers: The Secret Air War in Laos, 1968-69
At the height of the Vietnam War, in 1968 and 1969, Reginald Hathorn (call sign NAIL 31) flew 229 combat missions as a forward air controller for the U.S. Air Force. He inserted Special Forces teams into North Vietnam and Laos, completed missions for the CIA, and flew missions with the Lao Army. Most of the time, he flew into Laos and called in airstrikes against targets inside that country--in a war which did not officially exist, about which the world knew nothing, and which the U.S. government denied. |
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aircraft Army asked base began bird bomb briefing called circle clear climb coming Control direction door drop enemy engine eyes feet fighter fire five flew flight Forces four give green ground hand head heavy helicopter Hobo Invert karst knew land Laos lead lieutenant looked major miles MILITARY HISTORY SERIES minutes mission Nail 31 never night North North Vietnam observer okay operations pair pass personnel pilots position pulled radio replied river road rockets Roger rolled Route running seat seen Sergeant shot side smoke South Special STACKPOLE MILITARY HISTORY stop strike sure tell thing Tiger told took Trail trees troops trucks turn village wanted watched West wings yelled