Operation White Star

Operation White Star was a commando operation the U.S. Army in Laos in the years 1959 to 1962. Goal was the training of the Lao army and later members of the indigenous Meo in anti - guerrilla tactics to fight against the communist Pathet Lao.

The operation

The use began in July 1959 as "Operation Hotfoot " to the secondment of 107 Special Forces 77th Special Forces Group under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur " Bull" Simons. The instructors came first as civilians. In September, the training of Lao soldiers began initially in 1138. From 1961, when the U.S. began to support the Lao government openly with military aid, wore the Special Forces uniform, and the operation was renamed the White Star. The number of Special Forces rose to 433 in the course of the insert. After the declaration of the Lao neutrality in July 1962, the White Star operation was officially terminated. However, the CIA continued to later in " Project 404 " renamed Mission until 1973.