AIR DROPS OF FOODSTUFFS AND MATERIAL GOODS IN LAOS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: Library of Congress
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): LOC-HAK-288-4-29-7
• Release Decision: RIPLIM
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: January 11, 2017
• Document Release Date: October 9, 2009
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: February 12, 1970
• Content Type: MEMO

No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/09: LOC-HAK-288-4-29-7
MEMORANDUM
SECRET /SENSITIVE
THE WHITE HOUSE
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
FROM: Henry A. Kissinger
INFORMATION
February 12, 1970
SUBJECT: Air Drops of Foodstuffs and Material Goods in Laos
You have asked for a report outlining modus operandi and other
pertinent information relative to the air drops of foodstuffs and
material goods in Laos.
At Tab A is a memorandum prepared by CIA on this subject. You
will notice that the flights are carried out by two air carriers, Air
America, Inc. and Continental Air Services, Inc., which are
contracted to our AID Mission in Laos but which are basically a CIA
operation. (Air America is a proprietary activity of CIA; Continental
Air Service is an independent company with a contractual relationship
to CIA.) AID controls the distribution of food, which is dropped by free
fall in locations where aircraft cannot land, but landed and distributed to
the consumers at larger sites where airstrips exist. A variety of short
takeoff and landing aircraft are used, including C-46s, C-123s, C-7As,
and "Porters". The American civilian pilots who fly these aircraft are
described as having accumulated a vast knowledge of the terrain in Laos
which is of critical importance to the success of this operation.
SECRET /SENSITIVE
ON-FILE NSC RELEASE
INSTRUCTIONS APPLY
/I JJ4.~4 6~
No Objection To Declassification 2009/10/09: LOC-HAK-288-4-29-7