U-Tapao 4258th Strategic Air Wing - Black COTTON Political considerations with regards to

Political considerations with regards to Communist forces engaging in a civil war inside Laos and fears of the civil war spreading into Thailand led the Thai government to allow the United States to covertly use five Thai bases beginning in 1961 for the air defense of Thailand and to fly reconnaissance flights over Laos

The Mekong River is NKP's border with Laos

B-52s were typically operating from U-Tapao

1st Aviation Brigade

U-Tapao 4258th Strategic Air Wing - Black COTTON Political considerations with regards toThe 4258th Strategic Wing (SAC) was activated in June 1966 at U Tapao under the 3rd Air Division, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The wing was charged with the responsibility of supporting refueling requirements of USAF fighter aircraft in Southeast Asia, plus conducting bombing missions on a daily basis. Steadily progressing and adding to the mission, U Tapao welcomed its first complement of KC 135 tankers in August 1966. By September, the base was