CHAPAKAO TANGO Ban Ban Valley, Laos 1970 Photo courtesy Raven William E. Platt Collection
CHAPAKAO TANGO
BY WILLIAM E. PLATT
Most of the heroic Hmong fighter pilots, call sign "Chapakao", grew up in remote mountain villages near the Plaines des Jarres, Kingdom of Laos. Chosen specifically for courage and aptitude, they quickly became USAF, Special Operations trained, T-28D, Combat Pilots. The war came to them and their people through no fault of their own. All they wanted was to be left alone and free. "All gave some, Some gave all" In total, there were 35 "Chapakao" during the intense war years. 17 died in combat defending their family, homes and sacred mountains. Their bravery and tenacity will always be remembered by the Ravens who daily witnessed their very low altitude heroism, devastating accuracy, and superior grit in the face of very big guns. We were brothers in arms, fighting a common enemy, flying the great T-28D fighter bomber. This image was captured on January 23rd, 1970. The Ban Ban Valley was filled with 37mm, 23mm, 14.5mm guns and flack traps protecting route 7 truck park complexes. Command Bunkers were the target of this three ship, air strike by Chapakao Tangos. They delivered their weapons on target and returned to Lima site 20A. In January and February 1970, Yang Xion, Vang Xeur, and Vang Cheng were the only flight of Chapakao. Each pilot flew 3 or more sorties per day; too often, until they died in combat. Other brave men then filled the gap and flew with honor.
TANGO
"WE CALLED 'EM TANGOS"
"Most of these pilots had not flown the T-28 before and they never used the name "Trojan." Instead they called their Ds "Tangos," which is the military alphabet word for the letter T."
( excerpt from "Final Tour of Duty"
by Robert Genat )
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MEXICAN BANDITOS
The Ravens (1970 L-20A Long Tieng, Laos) posed for photographs after a visiting Air Force General
described them as "a ragged bunch of Mexican bandits."
(excerpt from "The Ravens" by Christopher Robbins)
Standing, L-R Craig Duehring, Bill Lutz, Ray DeArrigunaga, Chuck Engle (with white tennis cap in hand),
"Weird" Harold Mesaris, Park Bunker. On ground is Jeff Thompson. On the engine cowling is A.D. Holt.
Photo taken in June 1970 at Long Tieng.
BY HON. CRAIG W. DUEHRING
"Nevermore - The Story of the Raven's FAC and the Secret War in Laos"
Craig W. Duehring, earned the Silver Star, retired as a colonel and went on to become the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Bill Lutz, went on to command a C-17 wing in the Mississippi Air National Guard, became a judge in Jackson, MS and retired as a Major General.
Ray DeArrigunaga, former A-26 pilot flying covert missions in South America, earned the Silver Star, retired from the Air Force, earned a Ph.D. and teaches at the University of Miami.
Chuck Engle, earned the Air Force's 2nd and 3rd highest awards for valor, the Air Force Cross and Silver Star, along with the Purple Heart and was killed before he left Laos. Often called the "finest natural pilot" any of the Ravens had seen.
"Weird" Harold Mesaris, completed an exceptional tour as a Raven FAC and left the Air Force. Suffered a stroke shortly thereafter.
Park Bunker, AF Academy graduate, veteran combat pilot, was shot down and executed by the NVA along with his Hmong backseater only a few weeks before we was to return home.
(Seated) Jeff Thompson, returned to SEA flying the F-4, earned 3 Silver Stars, retired from the Air Force, earned a Ph.D. and worked for the Air Force as a civilian before retiring.
(Engine cowling) A.D. Holt, left the Air Force to become a business leader and staunch Air Force advocate in Valdosta, Georgia.
