The Ravens Part I: Mission and Men

[@raymondmillaway998]

A close friend and veteran referred your video to me. It was great - long overdue that Laos Veterans document and receive some recognition. I was Project 404 (ARMA) 1970-1973 and flew many missions throughout the country during my years there. Many experiences and stories that few would believe. Thanks again for your dedicated service and the video.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you very much for sharing this with us, and your service there in the fight.

[@gaoxiaen1]

Write about them! They are very interesting!

[@MrSuzuki1187]

I flew at United Airlines with Jim Hix on the Boeing 737-200 in the early 1990s when I was a copilot and Jim was the captain. One day passing through O'Hare, my assigned captain called in sick between flights and a reserve captain took his place. I met the new guy and he introduced himself as Jim Hix. I said "Were you a Raven FAC?" And his face lit up. I had just read the book Ravens and knew who he was. On another occasion, I was deadheading from O'Hare to Newark as a passenger on a United 727. We were landing at night on Runway 22 Left with the winds at 310 degrees gusting to 28 knots. The pilot flying landed on the right main gear first, then rolled about 2,000 feet on the upwind wheel before lowering the left main. I have 4,000 hours of tailwheel time flying the DC-3 and Beech 18 and quickly recognize the pilot who made the landing also had tailwheel experience. After all of the other passengers had deplaned, I went up to the cockpit and asked who had made the landing and the captain raised his hand. I said "You flew tailwheel airplanes. Where and what kind?" His reply was "In the Air Force." I said that he could only have flown the A-1 or the 0-1 and he said he had flown both. Turns out he was ex-Raven Sandy Sanderson who had made that awesome crosswind landing.

[@CarterOnConflict]

I smiled reading your story - this is the kind of stuff I love, and that we all love to read. Thank you so much for watching, and sharing. Great stories.

[@ronjon7942]

This is a great story! Thnx for sharing!

[@aaroncannon7020]

My uncle was Raven 26, Chuck Engle. I recently was privileged to meet many of the brave gentlemen. It really was a honor, and many don't know the sacrifice and respect these guys deserve.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Such an honor to meet you. I have heard much of your uncle, a dedicated brave man. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@strattonlad2137]

I flew with Chuck when he was a Tum Fac before he went to the Ravens. At the time, we were flying out of Phu Cat. Great guy!

[@strattonlad2137]

Bill Lutz was part of our crew too

[@michaelhemmingsen4430]

My dad was FAC based DaNang 1966. Learning much more of his role now and since his passing in 2010.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Wow, thanks for sharing this…..I appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@legacyonetime]

My brother is one of the very few surviving t28 pilots. His stories are so scary!

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@legacyonetime I would enjoy talking to him! Would he like to talk? Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@legacyonetime]

@CarterOnConflict he's had a book published about two years ago called "prisoner of war" the authors name is chia youyee vang.

[@arthurcrime]

This is great, I am reading Christopher Robbins and book on the ravens. This really brings it to life. Thank you for producing this. Looking forward to part 2.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Excellent!! Thank you for watching and commenting. I need to remove that part about Part II coming, as it is here. I don’t say a word, it’s all them telling short stories. You’ll like even better and the great thing is, several of these stories are in Robins so you’ll get good detail from both: Ravens Part II: Their Stories kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DMomx4i7-DntU

[@neoneonate4662]

Dear Dr. Carter, This is indeed by far the best research piece produced by you. The original videos, testimonials and interviews of real Ravens made this documentary more appealing. There's no better way of telling the story than hearing from those who lived and played the role in the story. My heart goes out for these brave men!!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir! Always an honor for you to watch and comment.

[@danielpierce8326]

Dr. Carter, Thank you for these videos. You have preserved a piece of history that has gone unnoticed and will never be taught to future generations. I served as a crew-chief on a C-123k Candlestick at NKP in 70-71. I forwarded these videos to a mailing list of 130 veterans and have received a lot of responses from my AF guys that served in that theater of operations while the government denied our activity in Laos and Cambodia. Your chronicles on the Ravens is greatly appreciated!!!

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@danielpierce8326 Daniel we owe a great debt to all of you who served over Laos that has yet to be paid. I know of the candlestick missions / so dangerous, like everything over Laos. God bless you and your veterans, and I do appreciate sure you sending to a mailing list / wow, I am truly honored and flattered. You probably have noticed that I have two Raven videos - the second one they just talk - and several videos on Laos. I hope you enjoy them all. Thank you so much for your kind and gracious message, I am honored and humbled. Paul

[@danielpierce8326]

@@CarterOnConflict Yes, I watched them both. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@danielpierce8326 I appreciate your support to my channel Daniel, thank you very much.

[@erikmcdonald3041]

I was in Laos in 1972 and met an old friend flying with the Ravens.Crazy days.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Crazy days man. Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@gilmueller4803]

What an honor to have accompanied Paul on a trip to Lao. If history does not always repeat itself as Paul says, then at the very least it lives thanks to this documentary.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Gil, the honor was all mine. Thank you so much for everything.

[@bradcropp4506]

Thanks for the stories. Served with 603 Dass later 19th. Tass in Korea 1971. Thank all of you, for your service.

[@brucegranheim4267]

I'm the current owner of an O-1 Birddog (Air Force colors of course;) and had the honor of flying a Raven in the back seat couple years ago - wonderful person. Love the airplane, handles great in the air. Landings can get tricky if you let them. Thanks Dr. Paul!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for this story Bruce, I appreciate the comment!

[@796andy2]

we used them to tow gliders till they became "warbirds" !

[@paullee2177]

Very interesting. In 1969 I was an O-2 aircraft mechanic with the 23rd TASS at NKP and Ubon.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thanks for sharing your experience! You were in the area so can understand much of this. Thank you.

[@stuweFPV]

I've read all the books you list and been to Laos a few times so i knew most of the stuff.. BUT it is so great that you've interviewed all these great pilots and got their testimony for eternity! They sure have thousands of stories worth telling. Thank you for this great video!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Well I very much appreciate you watching the video, and taking the time to comment. Thank you so much.

[@tommcclelland119]

Excellent video. These guys were special.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Tom, thank you - hope you are still enjoying your stay!

[@winaiwongsurawat7080]

One of Dr.Carter's best videos so far. Awesome!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Dear Winai, thank you for watching and your comment.

[@vanmalaphongsavan1331]

, I am watching Dr. Paul T. Carter... Miss old memory....was in there All lovely friends on the history....Thanks all for your served and great missions...God Bless you all

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for your service - thank you for watching and commenting.

[@vanmalaphongsavan1331]

@@CarterOnConflict, Thank you and absolutely missing all friends and co-workers in times of secret war LS-20A...

[@justinjones9042]

Not a overview of the war but a admiration for our predecessors that's paved the strip with Valor and courage. Much Respect .

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thanks for your observation, watching, commenting Justin. I hope you enjoy Ravens II, their stories - all short stories they tell:Ravens Part II: Their Stories kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DMomx4i7-DntU

[@maxcorder2211]

About time the Ravens are recognized and have an opportunity to tell their story. I was a new USAF pilot training graduate flying AC-47’s out of Danang in 1970. When I first heard of the “out country” program, it was called the “Steve Canyon” program. Later I returned in 1972 flying B-52’s out of UTapao, Thailand and flew many bombing missions in the PDJ. As all USAF pilots, great respect to the Ravens in a man’s role in a man’s war.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for sharing your experience and for your service - truly. I know you have some incredible stories to tell, some you probably just don’t talk about. Thanks for watching and commenting, and please share the video with others.

[@gaoxiaen1]

@@CarterOnConflict You should talk and write about them so that the history and truth isn't lost forever!

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@gaoxiaen1 that’s what I have attempted to do with this video - please share with as many people as you can, I am informing everyone that I can. Thank you again.

[@alishmaly1]

Glad people are still talking about this, it seems to be such an overlooked important part of history

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@user-sp3gq1up9n]

My uncle, yia kha, found craig duehring couple years ago through facebook. They flew together in the war but lost touch with each other. Craig got the hmong acknowledged in washington and the pilots were awarded for their efforts. I had the chance to meet craig and he sent me his personal book about the ravens. General vang pao is my uncle. My grandma on my moms side was general vang pao's sister.

[@CarterOnConflict]

It is an honor to meet you. I met your uncle in 2015, we went to Laos together (met there) with Craig. Yia’s interview is in Ravens II, you’ll see him here: Ravens Part II: Their Stories kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DMomx4i7-DntU

[@jamesmaddison4546]

My father was pararescue in Vietnam. I remember him telling me a few stories of the times they went into laos etc and how for decades, operations in there were regarded as rumor & legend. Good to see all these guys finally get the long awaited recognition they deserve

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and for sharing.

[@dandevere5736]

James, be very proud of your old man. The PJ's were the bravest guys I ever knew. I think, PJ's were awarded more MOH's than any other group. Going down the line to hook in an injured pilot to the penetrator under fire? What balls!

[@rolliephotog]

Thanks!

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@rolliephotog I appreciate you watching and commenting, I hope you enjoy the other two Ravens videos

[@jamescottrell7367]

I did one tour at Udorn and two at NKP. recall them stopping in.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thanks James - always good to see your input. Thanks for sharing.

[@csulb75]

You guys all out ranked me. I was an Aerospace Medical Tech. working it he Flight Surgeons office, 1964-68. I had to salute guys like you, and was proud to do it. However, piss me off an suddenly you developed high blood pressure or a depth perception problem and the like.. I never really did that and none of us would have. Though my fellow Medics and I would ponder and chat about the possibilities. I did get some of my own sense of being an officer in the private sector. The GI Bill helped me get a BA. I later went on to earn an MBA and executive positions with a fortune 500 co.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thanks for sharing your story with refreshing humor to boot. I love hearing personal stories, and clearly you have done well - and thank you for your service. You may I have seen I have Ravens II up which is just them telling their stories. Thank you again for watching and posting. Ravens Part II: Their Stories kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DMomx4i7-DntU

[@btipton6899]

So I'm almost through The Ravens by Christopher Robbins. I'm really upset that I never heard about these guys up until recently. Was at the National Museum of the United States Air Force last weekend to see the new SAR exhibit and guest speakers. Met Lew Hatch and Mike Cavanaugh, what an honor. God bless these guys. ♥️🇺🇸🦅 Glad I found your channel!

[@CarterOnConflict]

This is why I do videos. Feedback like this. Thank you so much, and wow, glad you got to meet those guys!! I heard about that exhibit and am sorry I could not have attended, good for you, what an opportunity for you!!! Thank you so much for sharing this, and I am so glad you like my channel. Watch as many videos as you can, ha, and I have two more coming out soon.

[@dandevere5736]

We had as big a war in Laos as Vietnam. The CIA kept the media out, so it wasn't publicized and that was a good thing. Only in the last few years did any body even care about our war. I don't know why it's a hot topic today? But it is.

[@dandevere5736]

I was with AA. I knew some of the guys in this video. These guys were the absolute best. Balls like King Kong, fearless drivers. One had to be to strap on a tiny 0-1 and fly around waiting for Charlie to shoot at them. Those were the best days of my life and I'm sure some of the Raven's feel the same. Many Ravens never left Laos.

[@CarterOnConflict]

You have much to be proud of. Thanks for watching and your comment.

[@AlanMydland-fq2vs]

truely amazing❤

[@vaporosoez]

My dad (who died when I was 10 months old) was with AA and I am trying to learn about it.

[@dandevere5736]

@@vaporosoez More is coming out now about our war. Everything was classified, some things still are. I wrote a book about AA and had to wait 20 years to publish. Lots of info out now, I urge you to get into it.

[@vaporosoez]

my dad was airborne. Is there anything written about that side of it? He must have been there during the mid 60s… prior to 69. I say this base this on when my family came stateside.@@dandevere5736

[@FidelAlvarado-u7t]

VERY INTERESTING, INFORMATIVE.. . ALL THHOSE. EFFORTS, , BUT THE WAR WAS LOST.. BLESS M ALL

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@FidelAlvarado-u7t thank you sir for watching and commenting. I hope you share with others!

[@ericsmith6596]

Boy are there a lot more books about the Ravens since the Robbins book that I did not know about. It was weird happenstance and the fact that I was in the Military Book Club that I got it and learned about Laos. I recently read Flying Through Midnight, where the pilot apparently did a night landing at Long Tieng and it took me a moment to connect the two. Well done professor.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Well thank you Eric. I appreciate you watching and sharing that book, I was unaware!!! Thanks for your post, I hope I have some other videos of interest to you. Please look around my channel :-)

[@darrellbrown9098]

I just watched it, Paul. Well done! I am sitting here in KK thinking of those who did not make it home. I cannot wait to watch the second installment. I got the sense from the background in the interviews that at least one lives here, maybe more. I will forward this to some friends. BZ, Darrell.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thanks for watching Darrell, I appreciate it and you are so right!!! One does live in Thailand :-) Your intell sense is good :-)

[@AB-zg2zb]

Hey Darrell were you out at the site in kk 97? I'm Andrew a regular at Arjarn Pipats bar at the time. 🍻

[@darrellbrown9098]

The first time I was in Thailand was the summer of '04.

[@robertcombs55]

We served next to the 21st TASS in Vietnam; these guys had BALLS bigger than COCOANUTS.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Robert, thanks for watching and sharing about that. You know, I’ve got Ravens II now which is just them telling their short stories. Crazy stuff!

[@bsacbob]

Thank you. Very informative video, looking forward to the next chapters.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you Bob

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@billgund4532]

Dad was a Covey FAC (Covey50) with 20th TASS. He flew O-1's in Khe Sanh from Nov '66 - Aug '67. He was not the same person when he came back.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Bill, thanks for sharing this. I know some of the Ravens were also Covey FACs with the 20th TASS before becoming Ravens, such as Darrel Whitmore. Thank you for watching and posting, God Bless (and Ravens II is out Ravens Part II: Their Stories kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DMomx4i7-DntU)

[@Rebel-Rouser]

Outstanding video! I'm currently reading Robbins book, The Ravens, and find this video an excellent compliment to the book. Very much looking forward to part two of this video series!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Kevin, thank you very much, I appreciate your comment. You can put a face to some of the names in Robbin's book now. If I may sir.....you will really like this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5WQYXSMjdtsmZY

[@btipton6899]

Great book, I just picked it up at the NMUSAF where they had some Ravens and Sandy pilots speak.

[@JanisEley]

Craig Morrison (Raven) became an instructor pilot at Delta Airlines after his SE Asia service. I ran across him during my DC-9 recurrent training. Terrific pilot, fun guy and a very good instructor. Unfortunately he was killed in a T-6 accident in 1995.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for sharing this - and watching.

[@aml258]

@@CarterOnConflictThere’s a T-28 in the PNW that has Craig’s name on the canopy. It saw action in SEA.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@aml258 PNW, Pacific Northwest? I’ll pass along, thank you.

[@pollydor07]

Thai mercenary and Hmong was at DMZ LAOS border with HANOI 60’s before we KHMER Republic Army sent to trained in Laos PS-18 1970 . Several months later our battalion boarded on CH-53 CH-47 left PAK Se air Port dropped off on ATTAPEU hills west of Ho Chi Minh trail Laos 1970 . First our Hills was PS-38 , PS-72 , PS-165 last before I got wounded almost 3 months on the hills . Cessna single engine plane landed on short run way on hills PS-165 picked me up brought me to Laotian army base PS-22 awaited military plane C-123 brought me last to the CIA HOSPITAL at PS-18 next to my old barracks on the edge of Mekong River near Thai Ubon border 1970 .

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for sharing your stories - you saw a lot of action!

[@bryanc2149]

Very informative! Great use of oral histories with archival photos and video.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Bryan, thank you for watching and your comment. I much appreciate it.

[@pollydor07]

Opposite from my hills I saw OV-10 shoot rockets and T-28 4-5 of them dived bombarded hills near my hills .

[@midrix]

A few years back, 2018, I was riding offroad motorcycle through Thailand, a thing I've had enjoyed every year for the last 20 years. Exploring jungle trails, staying at hilltribe villages and so on. One rainy hot day, I found the book The Raven by Christopher Robbins in an old used books shop, up North, in the Golden Triangle. Damn. Big fan of the History of the region, obviously, but never heard of that story before ? What a slap in the face. So I put my *ss on the bike, crossed the Mekhong, rode through Laos. Very, very, long story short, managed to reach Long Tieng / Long Cheng / LS20A. Spent a couple of nights there. I could visit the old house of Vang Pao, the barracks of Raven guys and all. Let me tell ya, I've been riding motorbikes all around Asia and Africa, had my share of ups & downs, and that ride through Laos with the Raven book on my pocket was the very best adventure of my life. Since then I've been reading everything I could / Watching every piece of documentary on this not-so-secret-anymore war, and I have to say this video is amazing. Great archive footage, great interviews. KUDOS. And thank you.

[@CarterOnConflict]

That’s a great story, thank you for sharing this with us. And good on you for making such a trip happen! Really appreciate your comment.

[@signal-0productions183]

I remember Raven 30, Hoss McBride, from my very early childhood. Hoss was a friend of my father, Moe Capps, they both served together in the AF. I have a very faint memory of Hoss as a child when he visited my dad just before leaving for Viet Nam. The smile on his face in the pic shown is exactly what I remember, he was very jovial with my brother and I. I will share this with my mom (Betty), who just turned 92, she has told me many great stories of Hoss and my dad.

[@CarterOnConflict]

What a great story - I really enjoy people sharing a personal story that relates to the video. Thank you so much for sharing.

[@mcbrideslaw9847]

I'm the nephew of Major Ernest Hoss McBride. Hoss was born in Hattiesburg, MS. I remember him when I was a young child. He played guitar and dropped candy onto the village children in Laos from his plane. He was a Raven. His name memorial is noted at the Dayton Air Force museum. He was shot down in November 1968..golden bb. I would like to know more stories about him if anyone knows. Thx

[@ronjon7942]

10:28 laf, was wondering what those slotted ‘insignia holders’ on the sides of the fuselage were for! On my second T-28 project in West Bend, WI, we also had 2 or 3 T-28D models trussed up in a shipping rack. I primarily used them to assist in the assembly of our project plane, although we occasionally cannibalized some parts off them. The fuselages had the ‘panel slots’ on them, as described by these Ravens, to rapidly ‘adjust’ their insignias, which now, to me, indicates these hulks had a Laotian and possibly a Raven history! We also had the wings and control surfaces of these D’s (and many more), and a fairly large inventory of T-28 parts, but the entire lot was sold to an elderly wealthy guy interested in one or more T-28 projects. He was located at the Oshkosh airport, if memory serves - nice man, although very likely to have passed on by now. Wonder what ever happened to those airframes, as I’ve long since left the warbird scene.

[@CarterOnConflict]

You were fortunate you got to touch these things, I guess most are in museums now, although I’m sure a few are still flying. Good to hear from someone who had hands on the T-28. They look like amazing planes.

[@ronjon7942]

@@CarterOnConflictI think there are - evidently, our Armed Forces may not sell obsolete equipment to American civilians, but the T-28 was exported a lot. Apparently brokers have been able to successfully get them into the warbird market, and they’re probably close to being the most numerous type flying out there - certainly after the T-6. It was tremendously enjoyable work, and easily the most fun. Unfortunately, it wasn’t at all good paying; however, I didn’t work for a restoration company, but rather wealthy individuals - and there’s a reason they’ve accumulated so much money…they abhor spending it! :). Still, I wouldn’t mind getting back into it.

[@chrisgardner6677]

Wonderfull stories. All of these men need to be thanked for their service...

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you Chris, you are correct, great men who sacrificed a lot, who give to others. Thank you so much for watching and posting.

[@C.LeonHarris]

I am generally interested only in the Revolutionary War, but Carter's video on the Ravens Part I is totally riveting. I'm looking forward to viewing Part II just released.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you so much for viewing and your comment. Part II is Ravens telling funny, sad, adventurous, poignant short stories of their time there, I think you will like. I have two Rev War battles on my Channel - Cowpens and Blackstocks Plantation - and with a South Carolina scholar I’m working on Tearcoat Swamp. I really appreciate your viewing, thank you.(I meant to add, Chuck Engle was the most decorated Raven, he died there, I have a very short clip on him, 10 minutes or so).

[@tommyanderson-filmmaker3976]

This is a great untold story. I'm retired USAF and my good buddy is also. He was a Raven and his stories and the pictures he has shown me from his time with T-28's in Laos was amazing.. He showed me pictures of them swapping out the flags on the aircraft.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Tommy, thanks for sharing this - I like to hear especially from retired USAF when it comes to air matters. I appreciate you watching and posting.

[@sw653j]

This looks interesting, I'll watch a few minutes and come back to it. Watched to the end, could not turn it off! Look forward to part 2 Thanks...

[@CarterOnConflict]

I really appreciate you watching - thank you for posting as well!!!

[@laoadvtours3479]

Great video Paul,looking forward to more..😀

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you Chris!

[@HumbleGolds]

I've read that whole book and many but seeing a few more pix and video is very good. Thank You. Hmong kid.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Dear Hmong kid, thank you for watching and commenting. I have Ravens Part II coming out soon

[@leeher8742]

Thank you for sharing the story ..yes we form.. long chang

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and your comment

[@meajur]

My father was in the Ravens under the code name "Simple Simon." As a child, I knew my father had been in the Airforce as a mechanic. He barely talked about it, so I simply assumed that it was not a good time for him and he just didn't like talking about it. When the existence of the Ravens was declassified, my father suddenly had a bunch of stories to tell. He didn't tell me anything that would actually TELL me what he was doing, or even where he was... only that it involved machines, driving, and long days that were tiring enough that you could get half way through a tuna-prune-cornflake omelet before realizing it tasted weird. I flipped his TV to the History Channel when a rerun episode of Mail Call was talking about the Ravens. My father did smile, but it was to tell me that that's what other Ravens were doing. Meaning... I would remain clueless what he was doing. Were I to show him this video, I think that's the answer I'd get from him again... that that's what other Ravens were doing (he was, after all, in the Airforce as a mechanic and not a pilot). At the end of his life, he did type up some memories. It has more technical information than what he orally gave me, but not enough to give a layperson like me an idea of what was really going on. I guess the lesson is: Whatever the Ravens were doing, they were doing more than what even this video says. Their full story is still untold. And probably will stay that way.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Project 404 was the code name for all of the USAF effort in Laos although more personnel than just Air Force were involved. The link explains it. Thank you for watching and commenting:greydynamics.com/project-404-united-states-air-force-advisory-mission-and-the-cias-secret-war-in-laos/

[@canadians2214]

Very good video , and waiting to see the next series what follows. I watch a lot of videos, but I have to say, yours are the best out there. Thanks for sharing from all of us that follow you.

[@CarterOnConflict]

I really appreciate you watching and you comment. Thank you so much, and your comments are helpful and informative.

[@visalpratoomrut7780]

Hello. I'm Green back. Iwas there too LS-20A and PDJ. Fought that war to the day of cease fire and come home alive nice to see your article.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir! You definitely were in the fight, and lived this action - I can only tell about it. Thank you for watching and posting.

[@brianshera2731]

My Uncle, Tom Shera was Raven 46 and Raven 72. I've spent MANY hours talking with him about his 5 tours in SEA.

[@CarterOnConflict]

What an honor to have such an uncle - wow. I’m sure those story times were priceless. Thank you for sharing this.

[@brianshera2731]

@@CarterOnConflict thank you for telling their story!!

[@tonyvang2127]

My father was a hmong MP in Long Cheng back then providing security for the compounds where the ravens stayed...been a few years but AA/Ravens had a reunion in Minnesota, I was very fortunate to take part as a color guard for them...many of them were surprised to see that we were OIF/OEF veterans continuing our peoples warrior legacy.

[@CarterOnConflict]

That is a great story Tony - thanks for sharing. God bless the brave Hmong warriors - of every generation. I am working on Ravens Part II and one of the guys featured with be a Hmong back seater and then T28 pilot, Yia Kha. Keep checking back, thanks for sharing this story and doing your part to keep the Hmong warrior ethic alive!

[@tonyvang2127]

@@CarterOnConflict during the reunion one of the raven was planning to meet one of his back seat hmong co pilot after 30 plus years...unfortunately he passed away a few months before the reunion and the raven presented the familys dads flight hat that the raven kept...they are the last live history we need to he passed on.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@tonyvang2127 wow…what a compelling story Tony. Thank you for sharing with viewers.

[@Hughejazshole]

Thank you for the info. Well done

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and posting, Luke. You would probably also enjoy my video on aircraft carrier development - sounds dry but quite riveting developments. Thank you again kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5WQYXSMjdtsmZYsi=H6lEYRkboG9K91hd

[@justinjones9042]

Cowboys but sometimes the world needs Cowboys.

[@CarterOnConflict]

So true Justin! Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@CharlesHarpolek4vud]

I have read all I can find about the Ravens FA operations and have lots of respect for these wild fellows. I wish I could have a time in my life when I could be about as free as they are all the time

[@CarterOnConflict]

I’ve always been a bit envious about these guys myself. Yes, they seem so free - I guess that’s one of the reasons they loved their job so much. Thank you Charles for watching and posting. I hope you find other of my videos worthy.

[@stephenblake2196]

I WOULD OF LOVED TO TAKE ON JOB !! NO RULES!! WORKING FOR C I A ?? OPPORTUNITY??? THESE GUYS WERE SAINTS!!! NO WORDS CAN DESCRIBE WHAT THEY WENT THREW DAY AFTER DAY AND LIFE THEY SAVED !! WELCOME HOME!! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS STORY!!! THEIR STORIES MUST BE TOLD AND HEARD!! DON'T LET THE POLITICIANS AND AMERICAN PUBLIC FORGET!!!!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and your comments!

[@bobmcghee3116]

I own this book. I have read it a few times. These guys had big brass balls. They did what a lot of guys wanted to,but didn't have the Chace. Very brave young men,with balls of steel

[@CarterOnConflict]

Good comment Bob - thank you for watching and commenting

[@MrEye4get]

I first learned to fly as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol on a vintage (at the time) O-1 Birdog. I later had the opportunity to fly several hours in an O-2 Skymaster! I obtained my private pilot's license in a Cessna 152 in 1979.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Great story - thank you for sharing with us!

[@796andy2]

Ravens of pleiku was a great book !!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Andy, thank you for the recommendation.

[@budgibson185]

I’d would love to speak with you one day! I interview MACVSOG vets and the occasional pilot.. I’m studying up skyline ridge for a project now

[@CarterOnConflict]

Bud, give me a holler at [e-mail]. Would love to hear your project, glad you are doing it!

[@barbaradavis393]

Thanks for bringing this story out. When do we get to see Part II?

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you Barbara. I am working on part 2 now :-) it will be a few months.

[@philadelphialor732]

Thank you for your service to the royal laos and hmong military under General vang.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you Ravens......and thank you for watching.

[@l06pual]

My father worked for CIA at that time in Long Cheng he passed away several years ago . His code name was “ War Lord”

[@kiwidiesel]

I have flown a North American T28C Trojan before. ...what a beast.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Wow, I bet that was a thrill!

[@johnnyutah4517]

Kiwidiesel . . . . . Is that you crusty ? 748 skipper and all time swell guy hehehhahahoohoho😵‍💫

[@kiwidiesel]

@@johnnyutah4517Unsure where you are coming from.

[@kiwidiesel]

@@CarterOnConflict One of those lifetime memories.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@kiwidiesel I like to hear ‘em!

[@ronjon7942]

About 30 years ago I restored and maintained WWII type aircraft, including a couple T-28s. One of the guys I worked for was a civilian T-28 driver (I think! Small chance he was relaying a story of someone else - my memory sucks) during this time in history, but I don’t think he mentioned he was a Raven; but then, I didn’t know about the Ravens until a later T-28 resto project (via Robbins’ book) so if he did, I didn’t know enough to make an association with a real group. I’m aware of Air America, and he may have been with this organization, unless there were other civilian companies that were ‘chartered.’ Anyway, he had this story of having had flown so low during a mission, he impacted something fairly substantial - like the prop clipping the ground or something. Turns out, there were body parts and perhaps a torso stuck in the cowling, on the fore of the radial engine, between the prop and the engine cylinders. Evidently, the crux of his story was he collided with a Viet Cong guerrilla, who may or may not have been firing at him. I’m not certain why he was so low, unless in that particular circumstance it was to avoid small arms ground fire - maybe he was above a ridge and being shot at from the sides?? I have absolutely no idea if this is true, a dramatic stretching of the truth, or something else, but I figure if anyone would’ve heard of it, perhaps it would be someone watching this video and perusing the comments. My boss was a pretty self confident guy, not prone to bs or self promotion, and was a pretty talented pilot and aircraft restorer. He was pretty critical of the other folks in our little click that did run off with their mouths. But who knows, I was pretty young and impressionable then. Also, is there a roster list of the Ravens? I hesitate to post my old boss’ name in case I misheard, misunderstood, or misremembered what he said, and I don’t want to damage his reputation or credibility, or simply misrepresent his contributions. Finally, a little off topic, but just how accurate was Air America? Obviously it was meant as entertainment, and I found it always entertaining the 5-10 times I watched it :), but was the gist of it close enough? I thought the aircraft shown were accurate, so I always wondered how far up the story line the general accuracy extended. I hope this awareness of the Ravens could find its way to the silver screen. At least there are plenty of Trojans flying!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Hi Ron, thanks for watching, your replies, and the stories. So, the Ravens book you read by Christopher Robins has a list of the Ravens books name. He also did one on Air America, I highly recommend you read it! He sold the movie rights and then regretted it with the Air America movie that came out, as it was fantastical fiction. That’s why the Ravens book was not sold for movie rights, due to what happened with Air America.

[@ronjon7942]

⁠@@CarterOnConflictAhhh, makes sense. Well, looks like I’ve two books to read! Great stuff, really brings back some enjoyable (and peacefully less exciting) memories. Makes me wonder where the aircraft I had the pleasure and privilege to work on ended up.

[@LanceRomanceF4E]

Col Jim Roper was a Raven FAC who latter became my squadron commander in F-111Fs. Roper had a lot of close air support experience. Also flew A-10 s and had a combat jump into Grenada as an ALO. We called him the Tasmanian devil. But not to his face.

[@CarterOnConflict]

It must have been a great experience working with one of these guys, and you being a pilot yourself, that’s very high speed. Great story, ha. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@EX141FE]

Respect!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thanks for watching and commenting

[@EX141FE]

@@CarterOnConflict I'll watch all I can about their mission.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@EX141FE I appreciate that - they are super interesting. I will have a Ravens IV in several months from now. I appreciate you watching the videos, I know they do as well.

[@mcbrideslaw9847]

My Uncle Major Ernest McBride was a Raven . I believe his call sign was Raven 30. He was shot down in November 1968. He played a guitar and had a dead fossilized possum tail as a swizel stick. He dropped candy from his O1 to the village children. Anybody remember him??

[@CarterOnConflict]

God Bless, and my honor to meet you. Yes, he is fondly remembered, in this video I just published: Laos Secret War Pilot: Lee Gossett kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJzPg4ljn7WJo5I

[@jrhamp]

Chris Robbins and his excellent book mentions many unsung hero's like Chuck Engle as mentioned below. There are other books having read them all. The 0-1 pilots had few options if they crashed..and many did as a result of ground fire. In short, "Brave Men Do"...RH/11A

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir post watching, and posting this information.

[@terrycolvin775]

A great tribute to those who served in the Ravens. We had several Ravens join the Thailand Laos Cambodia Brotherhood. In the early days with the email servers we read some of the stories and comments made in reply. I don't know who is on your mailing list, therefore, I will shotgun this to a few groups and individuals. Thank you.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Terry, thank you so much for watching, commenting, your service, and passing this along! My email list is short.

[@terrycolvin775]

@@CarterOnConflict I'm getting a few replies. I think sharing here would be inappropriate. Perhaps I can forward to your email address.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@terrycolvin775 certainly, thank you

[@dankingjr.2088]

Frank Kricker was a Raven, and my little brothers Godfather. Interesting guy and interesting little war.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Sounds like an interesting fellow indeed - those ravens were something else. Is Frank still living? (Thanks for watching and your comment)

[@dankingjr.2088]

@@CarterOnConflict Frank passed about 8 months ago from the effects of Agent Orange. Vietnam finally got him. Good video,

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@dankingjr.2088 thank you, and thanks for replying. I would have been honored to meet him. I’m sure you saw it, but I have a ravens II video - I don’t say a word, they tell short stories. Ravens Part II: Their Stories kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5DMomx4i7-DntU

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@dankingjr.2088 and: Laos Secret War Pilot: Lee Gossett kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJzPg4ljn7WJo5I

[@kingofthecatnap5780]

Thank you!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir!

[@hscollier]

The title says, Part 1. Is there a part 2? I have Hmong friends who fought in Laos, and they and their families appreciate this video. Thank you.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and commenting sir - I am preparing a part II, it isn’t published yet. Thank you for sharing, I really appreciate it.

[@cheesenoodles8316]

Excellent....

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir. I hope you watch some of my other videos on my channel.

[@796andy2]

hardcore guys , Dad flew with " mac the fac" McAllister

[@MrSuzuki1187]

My brother in law was a Raven FAC, and I flew with two Ravens at United Airlines.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Love these stories sir - thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@georgej.dorner3262]

I joined the Air Operations Center in Luang Prabang in September 1969 as their intelligence specialist. I was assigned under bizarre circumstances, as related in my book "In the Black". I spent 18 months in LP, and knew some of the Ravens. It's all true. Human imagination could not invent lies that exotic.

[@CarterOnConflict]

I have heard so much about the 5 AOCs in Laos - those internal workings still remain largely a mystery to me although I do have friend that worked in Vientiane. Thank you so much for sharing / I will google “In the Black” - I know it will be riveting reading. Thank you again for sharing and posting.

[@pozn9962]

18:26 the Plain of Jars, where my family came from. Im Hmong, first generation Hmong-American born. My People fought hard against Communist. EDIT - I have an photo of my grandpa Captain Xay Tou Hawj an radio-man standing in attention with his baby elephant gifted by his mens when found patrolling in the jungle of Laos. 🐘🐘🐘

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for sharing sir - we admire your people greatly!

[@tonysigsby870]

Headhunters

[@Saichenyang]

As a young Hmong man I felt so guilty that in the past in Laos our parents fought a war it wasn't our own country. We fought a war that didn't cause by us, we fought a war that caused by somebody else. We fought a war that didn't belong to us, we fought a war that belonged to somebody else. We should let the Indochina War to the Laos--Viet--USA who caused the war to handle, not us because we fought a war that the world or UN didn't recognize and we didn't show on the American History Book like Vietnam.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Your people were forced into a war they didn’t cause. Just like the Montagnard in Vietnam. And suffered greatly because of it. Your point is well taken.

[@Ntk28]

สุดท้ายก็ไม่ใช่USAเหรอที่ช่วยคนม้งไม่ให้โดนฆ่าล้างเผ่าพันธ์ุ เพราะเวียดนามเหนือ และลาวแดงไม่ชอบม้ง

[@pjht0488]

This is an interesting element of the American war in Indochina.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I have a Ravens II even better I think because they care just telling their stories -I don’t talk. Sone scary and funny stuff. You may really like this one too: Laos Secret War Pilot: Lee Gossett kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJzPg4ljn7WJo5I thank you again.

[@pjht0488]

@@CarterOnConflict No problem, Paul. This is a very interesting video. I will watch Pt. 2 when I can and the one on the Secret War in Laos. Thanks for producing them and putting them up.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@pjht0488 well thank you so much, I do appreciate it.

[@KT-gt8no]

Hey I have some films that was given to my father inlaw from a pilot or a cameraman of that Era.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@KT-gt8no I’d love to see them!!!! Please email me at [e-mail]. Thank you!

[@KT-gt8no]

@@CarterOnConflict it's in those big rolls of old movie film it has the bombing of t28

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@KT-gt8no so, what my old colleagues have done is to take it to a computer store and have the technicians convert it to MP4. That’s easy to do. Do you live close to such a place?

[@KT-gt8no]

@@CarterOnConflict I live in mn I am sure there are places can do that here but i haven't looked into it. I Don't know what my father inlaw's relationship with the guy gave him these films so I will have talk to him and maybe make some senses out of it first. Then will contact you. I know that my father inlaw is a close close friend to Jerry Daniel one of the CIA guy in Long Cheng. I don't know if you know Jerry. My father inlaw goes by the the name of Lucky back then dued to a plane crashed during a mission that killed everyone board but him.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@KT-gt8no yes, I talk about Jerry in sone of my videos. Well, just get back to me. We can figure out something. And wow, your dad was fortunate indeed! Thank you for the note.

[@btipton6899]

❤ Steve Canyon!

[@cyberpunkalphamale]

Blame Sir Robert Thompson. Good video.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir for watching and commenting - and okay, let’s blame the Brit ;-) ha ha. Thank you again.

[@scootermcd5756]

Captured NVA officers feared the Birddog the most. They called her the bringer s of death. If a birddog spotted them, Hell would open up above.

[@tomg6286]

Do you really think this will not happen again? I believe it is and will,

[@CarterOnConflict]

Hi Tom, thank you for watching and your question. Do you mean a secret war, will that happen again? I guess it does in the sense we seem to have all of these small covert actions around the world. But nothing as big as the Laos War. Thanks for watching.

[@lancesay]

since the title stated "The Ravens Part I: Mission and Men" will there be a Part II to this?

[@CarterOnConflict]

Yes, thanks for asking - I am working on it as we speak and am still a few weeks away.

[@richardyoder3646]

Very,very interesting

[@CarterOnConflict]

Glad you found it interesting, thank you for watching Richard. I hope you check out some of my other videos. Thanks for posting as well.

[@winaiwongsurawat7080]

Wow! Is that real footage from the Ravens' airplanes?

[@CarterOnConflict]

It is real footage from their craft!

[@prasongphu9412]

​@@CarterOnConflict you bet Sinai. I was in 20_A during Joe Porter temporary RAVEN chief, we did "About Face Operation* after we had lost Phu Phathi(LS-75) and Ban Na Kang(LS- 36) we took PDJ "LL" @ Ban Lad Saen in summer 1969, where we celebrated( Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16, 1969, carrying Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin into an initial Earth-orbit of 114 by 116 miles. ) in PDJ battlefield. I was one of local instructor for MR-2 Gen VP Hmonk FAC and FAG at school in Udorn. the FAC for the Reven's back seaters, and virtually they were all died with the Reven Pilots (which made me put a lot of faith to US fighters) because I was eventually in that war too. Thanks for you hard work to reveal the Raven .

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@prasongphu9412 This is some amazing history, thank you so much for sharing and thank you for your service.

[@kaypie3112]

I read the book way back in the 90’s. The one detail I most remember from the book is one of pilot’s nickname was, “pigf***er” or something similar to that. If I recall correctly, that same pilot would cook dinner every evening after flying all day for the other pilots. Can anyone here clarify who that pilot was? Was it Cavanaugh? Or Craig Morrison?

[@CarterOnConflict]

Ron Rinehart I believe!!!

[@CarterOnConflict]

www.trulyadventure.us/ravens

[@kaypie3112]

@@CarterOnConflict 👍😎 Thanks for the link. What an amazing story- especially that of Fred Platt

[@kaypie3112]

@@CarterOnConflict Yep Thank You!

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@kaypie3112 you are welcome. I have some video of Platt (there were two Platts, incredibly enough, not at the same time) in my upcoming Ravens III. I believe he holds the record for shoot downs. They called him magnet ass. So many, the Hmong and Lao backseaters refused to fly with him (maybe the article covered they).

[@johndavis8626]

I have one guy from high school who I heard was flying a F 4F who is still in Cambodia never came home

[@CarterOnConflict]

Cambodia was a nasty war, and yes there are still quite a few MIA and POW from there. Thanks for watching and posting.

[@indy500tabasco8]

😮😮😮triple canopy always bad omen😮😮😮

[@CarterOnConflict]

Not a good place to fight?

[@chuelee9783]

I found this video to be something I need to further pursuit. Did anyone you know or yourself fly in Long Tieng Laos? It is so important to me. My father was with the Ravens. He flew for many years until he was killed in a single engine Cessna with an American pilot. Please send any info you can. I am trying to see if that pilot is still alive and if so, I want to talk with him. Thank you.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Sir, the airport in Long Tieng is not active, many of us drive there. Please email me at [e-mail]. Give me your dads name, and any other relevant info regarding him, I’ll send it out to the Raven pilots and they will contact you. Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@hmbobb21]

I know a lots of those weapons afraid to shoot the Raven because the consequences of those Raven findings is too deadly. According to some Vietcong that being brought back to Long Cheng.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Ah, thanks for sharing that!! Makes sense. I appreciate your comment.

[@georgej.dorner3262]

15:55: Brilliant scholarship.

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you sir - ah, okay - that graph comes from Joe Celeskis book on Laos war special ops.

[@GlennMearns-xk6yo]

A raven will call the wolf to crack the carcass for it

[@savagecub]

Ok I gotta ask……what’s with stubbornly refusing to pronounce the S at the end of Laos ?

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thanks for asking rather than slamming me, I appreciate it - short answer, habit. The french added the S on the end - it’s artificial. Living in Thailand and traveling to Laos 21 times, it’s pronounced Lao. Both the people and country. That’s how it’s said it this region and it’s become habit because if you say Laos, folk look at you like you are an idiot, many cases not knowing - incredibly enough - what you are saying.

[@garymorris2857]

@@CarterOnConflictI was at NKP in 68&69, in the Civil Eng. Squadron. The civilian Thailand workers, in our shop, dropped the S off, Laos. When I hear someone who calls it, Lao, I know they’ve been there.

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@garymorris2857 Gary, you are the first to recognize this, and mention it, and I’m appreciative and humbled you do. I’ve had several comments from people critiquing my “Lao,” but you know which is correct. I point out also the current commie country is “Lao” PDR, not Laos PDR. Anyway, I wish I could have seen NKP back during the day. Thank you.

[@davidrobinson8337]

I wonder if these guys if given the opportunity, would patrol the border like they did over there?

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@davidrobinson8337 ha, I think they would enjoy it! They still seem so courageous. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@murrayhelmer8941]

The 01 was more similar to the cessna 170B. Not the cessna 150 !!

[@CarterOnConflict]

Thank you for watching and commenting.

[@murrayhelmer8941]

@@CarterOnConflict Great series. Watched all 3 back to back. 👍👍🙂

[@CarterOnConflict]

@@murrayhelmer8941 I appreciate that very much Murray and glad you enjoyed! I hope I have other videos you enjoy as well.

[@murrayhelmer8941]

@@CarterOnConflict yes. I’ll watch them all. 👍🙂