Strategic Location
At 244 miles NE of Bangkok, Udorn RTAFB was nearer to the enemy's
command center in Hanoi than all U.S. bases in SEA. Tactical and reconnaissance aircraft could quickly fly 278k to the capital
and select targets in northern Laos or along the Ho Trail on return. Despite being 32 miles from Laos, Udorn was in the sanctuary
of Thailand and protected by a natural border, the wide Mekong River.
Eisenhower, Kennedy and Laos
In his final weeks in office President Eisenhower expressed caution to newly elected president, John F. Kennedy,
that Laos was the first domino. "If Laos is lost to the Communist, we will lose all of Southeast Asia." -more-
CAT and Air America - Secretly the CIA purchased the
assets of the Civil Air Transport in 1950 to carry out clandestine operations in Asia. During the Korean War more than one
hundred missions were flown over China's mainland airdropping supplies and special agents.
France requested assistance from the U.S. in 1953 to airlift tanks and heavy military equipment in
their efforts during the Indochina War. President Eiserhower was quick to Ablige the French by sending six USAF aircraft with
CAT pilots to conduct the airlift. - more -
 
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