MILITARY ACTIVITY, LAOS PANHANDLE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP02T06408R000100010028-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 26
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 13, 2003
• Sequence Number: 28
• Publication Date: October 1, 1965
• Content Type: IR

Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02T06408R000100010028-
Declass Review by
NIMA/DOD
This document contains information affectin,,,
the national defense of the United States,
within the meaning of Title 18, sections
793 and 794, of the U.S. Code, as amended.
Its transmission or revelation of its contents
to or receipt by an unauthorized person is
prohibited by law.
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02T06408R000100010028-9
 1
IX1
App
00~9R9~gp?P7111
MILITARY ACTIVITY, LAOS PANHANDLE
- 1 -
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02T06408R000100010028-9
 Appro
I
INTRODUCTION
000190010028-9
CIA PIR-67111
This photograph_c intelligence report contains information on the
military activity, suspect insurgent activity, and transportation routes in
a preselected area located in the Laos panhandle along the South Vietnmo
border and bounded by UTM coordinates XC-800700, XC-800200, YC-600700 and
YC-900000. (See Figure Nos. 1, 2 and 3).
High and low-level aerial photography dated
xi as used throughout the study. Because much of the available
photography is degraded due to partial cloud cover and poor film quality,
' it is believed that numerous areas remain unidentified and/or not observed.
Good stereoscopic photography was not available for all of the installations
contained in this report.
I
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02TO6408R000100010028-9
25X1
 I
JX1
I X1
Approved For Release NI DP02T06408R000100010028-9
CIA/PIR-67111
Possible Staging Area
A possible staging area is located 3.7 nm south of the Laos/SVN border
at UTM coordinates YC-662070. This area is serviced by a major trail running
E/T,J across the border into South Vietnam. A second trail running north and
south forms a junction where extensive ground scarring and several small huts
are noted.
The center of activity appears to be taking place in a forested area
approximately 200 yards NE of the junction where the two trails intersect.
(See Figure No. 4, Photo No. 1).
Probable Supply/Storage Area
A probable supply/storage area is located approximately 4.7 nm south of
the Laos/SVN border at UTM coordinates YC-658058. The area is serviced by
a network of well defined footpaths and is situated in a densely forested
mountainous area. The buildings form a semi-circular pattern and are
connected to a N/S trail by an access footpath which appears to be well used.
This area is probably in support of a suspected staging area located
approximately 0.8 nm to the northeast. (See Figure No. 5, Photo No. 2).
Military Activity (Strongpoint)
A strongpoint is located approximately 1.7 nm north of the Laos/SVN
border at UTM coordinates YC-529295. The area consists of personnel trenches,
and two A/W positions which appear to be unoccupied. A footpath providing
access to the area appears to terminate near a small stream at UTM coordinate
YC-533297. This area is situated in hilly, forested terrain with the heavy
foliage and undergrowth providing excellent concealment. (See Figure No. 6,
Photo No. 3).
Suspect Insurgent Activity
Suspect insurgent activity is noted approximately 2 nm southeast of the
Laos/SVN border near the Tam A Pout River at UTM coordinate YC-478518. Two
areas of unidentified activity are located in the low lying hills near the
stream bed. Earth scars and footpaths indicate that the two areas are in
use but no dwellings or villages were observed within the immediate area.
Located between these two areas and situated along the river bed is a
large cultivated area which appeared to be well tended and cultivated at
at the time of photography. (See Figure No. 7, Photo No. 4).
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02TO6408R000100010028-9
 Approved For Release #N4DINIPA DP02T06408R000100010028-9
CIA/PIR-67111
Possible Storage Area
A possible storage area is located approximately 1.5 nm north of the
Laos/SVN border on the mountain slope 500 yards southeast of the Dak Tauang
River at UTM coordinate YC-465596. This area consists of a series of foot-
paths, trails, and several well spaced huts. (See Figure No. 8, Photo No. 5).
Suspect Area
Suspect insurgent activity is noted approximately 2.3 nm southwest of the
Laos/SVN border at UTM coordinate YC-516154. A well defined trail leads into
a heavily forested area from the southwest. Extensive ground scarring can be
observed through the tree canopy. No huts or buildings are noted in the area
and the access trail does not reappear. This area is situated in the high
ground approximately 1,000 yards north of the Dak Poyo River. (See Figure No.
9, Photo No. 6).
Military Activity (Strongpoints)
An area of military activity is located approximately 1.4 nm south of
the Laos/SVN border at UTM coordinate YC-452516. This installation is partially
cloud covered, however that portion observed appears to be active. This install-
ation is situated in the open hilly terrain approximately 400 yards southeast
of the Tam A Pout River. Two strongpoints with personnel trenches, unoccupied
A/W positions, two unoccupied possible light artillery positions, and under-
ground bunkers were observed in the cloud free areas. (See Figure No. 10,
Photo No. 7).
Air Strip
An air strip is located on a low lying ridge approximately 8 nm northeast
of the Laos/SVN border and 1.6 nm east of the Tan Paete River at UTM coordinate
YC-675266. The graded earth runway measures approximately 1,500 x 50 feet and
is oriented NE/SW. This installation is well protected by perimeter defenses
consisting of A/W positions, light AAA positions, bunkers, communication
trenches, and personnel trenches.
This air strip is believed to be one of friendly forces and would provide
excellent support for helicopters involved in border operations. (See Figure
No. 11, Photo No. 8).
Suspect Area
Suspect insurgent activity is located approximately 1.6 nm north of the
Laos/SVN border at UTM coordinate YC-528292. The area contains three small
huts, footpaths, and extensive ground scarring. This area is situated in
rugged hilly terrain approximately 200 yards south of a strongpoint located
at UTM coordinate YC-529295. (See Figure No. 12, Photo 9).
- 4 -
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02TO6408R000100010028-9
 App MA-RE)PH 00100010028-9
CIA/PIR-67111
11
Possible Insurgent Activity
An area of possible insurgent activity is located approximately 2.9
nm east of the Laos/SVN border at TJTM coordinate YC-581248. A small
clearing previously used for row crops is located adjacent to a well defined
NW/SE trail and has large poles erected intermittently throughout (anti-
helicopter stakes). No buildings or vehicles were observed in this area
but the trail appears to be in recent extensive use. (See Figure No. 15,
Photo No. 12).
Transportation Routes
Portions of Routes 92 and 923 are located in the northwestern sector of
the preselected area and a newly constructed unnumbered road extends south-
ward from Route 923 at UTM coordinate XC-950517 to the vicinity of Chavane
at UTM coordinate YB-186986. However, cloud cover and lack of photography
precludes further interpretation of this road.
Three segments and photographic examples of this newly constructed
unnumbered road are located at UTM coordinatesXC-887522, (See Figure No. 13,
Photo No. 10); XC-966423, (See Figure No. 16, Photo No. 13); and at XC-991373,
(See Figure No. 17, Photo No. 14).
Road improvement was also noted on Route 923 at UTM coordinate XC-941522.
A rock ford at this point appears to have been recently improved in an effort
to keep this route motorable. (See Figure No. 14, Photo No. 11). The area
also consists of a series of well defined trails and footpaths which connect
the local villages with their outlying interests.
Three major trails were noted to span the Laos/SVN border and all appear
to be well used. The first of these three trails extends from UTM coordinates
YC-378345, to YC-463113, to YC-800400 and across the border at YC-525240. The
second trail extends from UTM coordinates YC-540070 to YC-724064 and across
tae border at YC-712065. The third trail extends from YC-799020 to YC-650150
and appears to cross the border in a zig-zag manner at several points. For
approximate alignment of these trails see Figure No. 3.
- 5 -
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02TO6408R000100010028-9
 Approved For Release 2003106124: CIA-RDP02T06408R000100010028-9
CONFIDENTIAL
MIJANG
SAKON NAKHON
rr
BASIC LOCATION MAP
Dong Ha
S~pone
Mukdahan d og PhEne
SAVANNA ET
MUANG
UBON
KOMPONG
TMOM
STUNG
\TRENG
QUANG TRI
PLEIKU
MW DA NANG
DA NANG
100 125
Area of Interest
SONG
CAUL
FIGURE NO
P H U
l
~
YEN i:HOa
CONFIDENTIAL
Approved For Release 2003106124: CIA-RDP02T06408R000100010028-9
 CONFIDENTIAL I
 Unidentified Activity
f` YC- 658W8
Rise 200;3/
0010001
 r q,
4 'Roto # 3 5 X
Trail
bmaw,
FIGURE NO
 IDENT IAL
ved Fp
Ploto#4 ; 5 X
RAi"i" `
 25X1
25Xt0NFIDENTIAL
Photo # 7 5
+ ft
roved For RO,
MAMMUM
24: CIA-RDP02TO64Q8RO
 ADO/, /old ~+n RDRO2 nr 4
 FIGURE NO Il Ra
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02TO6408R000100010028-9
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02TO6408R000100010028-9
 I
2t1
2 1
r
Approved For Release'ZD03/06/~VTcIRDP02TO6408RO00100010028-9
Series L-509, 1:250,000
AMS - Edition 2, Compiled - 1954
Sheets, ND 48-4, NE 48-16
Series L-701, 1:50,000
AMS - Edition 1, Compiled - 1964
Sheets, 6457-1, 6458-1
Series L-7012, 1:50,000
AMS - Edition 1, Compiled - 1963
Sheets, 6358-1, 6358-11, 6457-11
(UNCLASSFIED)
(UNCLASSFIED)
(UNCLASSFIED)
CONFIDENTIAL
I X1
CIA/PIR-67111
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02T06408R000100010028-9
 25X1 Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02TO6408R000100010028-9
Approved For Release 2003/06/24: CIA-RDP02TO6408R000100010028-9