The Americans
had a presence in Laos even during the 1950s - I make this point
to say that they were doing things there even before the Vietnam
War.
Officially speaking,
Americans began flying what they euphamistically call "armed
reconnaissance". That eventually changed into flying cover
for Lao T-28s in October 1964. The military imperative essentially
grew from there because in December that same year, "Operation
Barrel Roll" began. It was the name attributed to the American
(purely) bombing campaign in the north. Military historians are
quick to point out that Souvanna Phouma, who had typically resisted
having Americans fire or bomb anything or anyone on Lao soil, in
this case agreed to the campaign. However, it should also be noted
that he accepted the campaign with reluctance.
American military
campaigns grew yet again from that point on. In June 1964, a separate
campaign named "Operation Steel Tiger" was initiated.
This was to focus on southern Laos bordering Vietnam. The aim was
to dislodge the Ho Chi Min Trail where supplies were being routed
from north to south Vietnam by Vietnamese Communists.
This was all
to the dismay of Lao politicians and general public alike who of
course wanted to keep out of what was going on in Vietnam. But keeping
out of what was going on, was not going to happen to Laos.
From 1964 the
bombing compaigns continued for almost seven years. As most people
are well aware now, Laos is one of the most heavily bombed countries
in military history.
