REPORT TO MR. HELMS FROM R. L. BANNERMAN RE REPORT ON AIR AMERICA OPERATIONS IN LAOS

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 05268875
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: November 15, 2022
• Case Number: F-2019-00307
• Publication Date: February 10, 1970

Approved for Release: 2022/10/26 C05268875
Mr. Helms (via Colonel White
and General Cushman)
The attached report on Air America operations in
Laos will be of interest particularly the statistics
pertaining to the total effort in 1969 as set forth in
paragraph 1.
The sonnnnry was included as an attachment by DDP
in a memorandum to Dr. Kissinger on 6 February 1970.
The memorandum was in response to a query from
Dr. Kissinger regarding POW relief operations and
food drops in Laos.
SIGHED R. L. Bannerman
R L. Bannerman
10 FEB 1970
DD/S:RLB:11c (9 February 1970)
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/ Thl:)/S -He rze4.43�) ed/x zbic - o5-06t: "9 ft
DD/5 70-0506: Memo for Chief, Operations, FE, frm DD/S, subj: Air
America Operations in Laos, dated 6 February 1970
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SF:(1q1.--7
DD/S 70-0306
6 FEB 1970
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief of Operations, Far East Division
SUBJECT : Air America Operations in Laos
1. In accordance with your request of yesterday, there is attached
a blind mentorandrun which outlines the scope of Air America operations
in Laos.
2. Except for the General Counsel, who has looked over the paper,
and this Directorate, the paper has not been cleared within the Agency.
I suggest that your people undertake such additional clearance as is necessary
prior to its inclusion in the package for Dr. Kissinger as requested by Mr.
Chapin on 4 February.
Att.
cc: General Counsel
(6 Feb 70)
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SUER R. I. Bannerman
R. L. Bannerman
Deputy Director
for Support
nitt ---
A
(b)(3)
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1. Air America, Inc., has been actively engaged for some twelve
years in air support of operations in Laos. This support involves airlifting
substantial quantities of rice, other foodstuffs, supplies and military equip-
ment, refugees and indigenous soldiers through Laos. Air America's operating
and maintenance facilities at Vientiane and at Won Thant, across the Mekong
in Thailand and forty miles south of Vientiane, served as the base of operations
during 1969 for 230 pilots, 46 fixed-wing aircraft and 37 helicopters. These
pilots made 109,000 landings with fixed-wing aircraft and 157,000 helicopter
landings, while transporting 739,000 passengers and 130,000 tons of cargo
In 1969. Some 120,000 aircraft flying hours were required and this represents
a growth from 304 flying hours in 19z7, the Company's first year of operation
lathe interior of Laos. 5-
2. The great majority of the landing strips used for fixed-wing
aircraft are in mountainous areas where only small sites can be developed.
Frequently operations can be undertaken from one direction only due to
the gradient of the terrain or the proximity of hills. One such strip is at
Pi�a Louaag. It is at an elevation of 4500 feet, 596 feet long, 55 feet wide,
and has a dirt surface. Landings can only be made up-hill tohthe south and
notices to pilots caution that the approach is subject to strong updrafts from
the canyon off the north end of the strip. In addition to the small single-
engined aircraft that operate into these strips, Air America provides flight
crews to man C-130s and C-123s for operation into some larger landing areas
and for airdrops.
3. There are 139 landing strips which remain active in Laos, approximately
200 more have been closed for one reason or another, principally the presence
of unfriendly forces. In addition, some 240 helicopter pads are in current
use. Many of these operating sites are in close proximity to and even surrounded
by unfriendly forces and safe availability to Air America must be checked
before each day's operation. Navigational facilities are available at only
a half-dozen of the larger airports. In addition, a substantial portion of the
operation is conducted over territory held by unfriendly forces and subject
to ground fire. In the course of these service operations 56 Air America
employees have been killed and 56 aircraft have been lost or destroyed in
Laos of which 33 were helicopters.
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4. Although Air America first went in to Laos in 1957, associated
companies have been in Southeast Asia since participating in the airlifting
of supplies to the French forces in the ill-fated defense of Dien &en Phu
In early 1954 operating from Haiphong.
5. Living conditions in the interior of Laos are rudimentary, yet
pilots remain occasionally overnight at sites which can be considered reasonably
secure. Aircraft maintenance and communications station personnel are
frequently exposed for extended periods at remote locations. The transportation
and storage of supplies for up-country refueling is always a challenge.
6. Supporting the entire Air America operation are 213 Americans
and 1109 employees of other nationalities in Laos and 172 Americans and 1325
employees of other nationalities at Udon Than!, Thailand.
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