16. Vietnam: Operation Pony Express

Join us this week as we discover the clandestine missions of the United States Air Force 20th Special Operations Squadron in Vietnam and Operation Pony Express. Operation Pony Express was one of the most successful operations conducted during the Vietnam War, and the efforts of the United States Air Force 20th SOS went beyond the borders of Vietnam in direct opposition to communist pursuits in the whole of Southeast Asia.

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Sources:

Anderson, David L. The Columbia History of the Vietnam War. New York, NY: Columbia University Press, 2017.

Haas, Michael E., and Dale K. Robinson. Air Commando! :1950-1975: Twenty-Five Years at the Tip of the Spear. Hurlburt Field, FL: Air Force Special Operations Command, 1994.

Leary, William M. “CIA Air Operations in Laos, 1955-1974 Supporting the ‘Secret War.’” Studies in Intelligence, 1999, 71–86. https://www.cia.gov/static/b0ded4a88b63ece00c9eb41369812fda/CIA-Air-Ops-Laos.pdf.

Mullen, Max, and Keith Mullen. Pony Express Pilot Max Mullen’s Flight Log December 1967. Keith Mullen, May 20, 2020.

Mutza, Wayne. Green Hornets: The History of the U.S. Air Force 20th Special Operations Squadron. Atglen, PA: Schiffer Publishing, 2007.

“T. O. 1H-3(C)E-1 Flight Manual USAF Series CH-3E and HH-3E Helicopters.” United States Air Force Printing Office, September 1, 1973.

“TM 55-1520-210-10 OPERATOR’S MANUAL ARMY MODEL UH-1H/V HELICOPTERS.” Washington D.C.: Headquarters Department of the Army, February 15, 1988.

Vergun, David. “Grueling 38-Hour Struggle in Jungle Leads to Medal of Honor.” www.army.mil, September 15, 2014. https://www.army.mil/article/132963/grueling_38_hour_struggle_in_jungle_leads_to_medal_of_honor.

Vietnam Outline Map Without Political Boundaries. Mapsofworld.com. Accessed December 17, 2021. https://www.mapsofworld.com/vietnam/vietnam-outline-map.html.

Whitlow, Robert H., and Jack Shulimson. US Marines in Vietnam. Www.marines.mil. History and Museums Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, 1982. https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/US%20Marines%20in%20Vietnam%20An%20Expanding%20War%201966%20%20PCN%2019000308600_1.pdf?ver=2012-10-11-164136-230.