Account of a trip into Laos by Frank Bonansinga
Someone forwarded an email about the PDJ recently. The following is a recollection of a-one time visit to the Plaine des Jarres.
PDJ in blue.
On 20 November of 1969, the Udorn VTB, 71 Charlie was assigned to pick up US Ambassador George McMurtrie Godley in Vientiane and take him to the PDJ for an inspection tour with General Vang Pao. Vang Pao's Muong troops had recently taken the western portion of the always held enemy PDJ. Unfortunately, It was held but for a very short time.
From the AA's 1973
AIR FACILITIES DATA Book
issued to pilots flying in Laos
We landed at Xieng Khouang but can’t recall if it was grass, dirt or paved;
but there was no problem landing there. It was a runway with no buildings, shacks or anything but bomb crater holes and jars around it.
Some of the unusual huge jars on the PDJ
An AF CH-54 SkyCrane out of Udorn picked up a large jar and took it to 20 Alternate for VP.
