LAOTION VIP TOUR

This picture was taken after giving some Laotion VIPs a helicopter ride and tour of NKP in 1965. I'm standing in the center between General Vang Pao to my right & General Ma (Cmdr, Laotian Air Force). The three of us were 32 at the time! I don't remember the General at Vang Pao's right, but I believe he was Vang Pao's boss--Cmdr of Laotion Army. Dick Laine at my far left was my Co-Pilot that day. General Ma was later shot down at Vientenne during a coup attempt. I heard he was shot while in the cockpit after crash landing.

The HH-43B 62-4510 in the picture was later shot down in NVN and the crew was taken POW. (Joe Ballinger)