Rules
of Engagement
Project
CHECO
On 5 March 1964,
the Chief of Staff, USAF, directed TAC to deploy four T-28's and necessary
personnel to Udorn for a period of six months, on TDY basis. Prior to their
arrival, Ambassador Unger had recommended
that the restraints imposed by the U.S. on the use of aircraft and bombs by
the RLAP be relaxed and greater discretionary authority given. He
proposed
their use for reprisal against aggressive actions and for inter- diction of
build-ups for attack. The JCS supported Ambassador Unger's proposals and
recommended even stronger action. They recommended that:
1.
Missions assigned should be offensive as well as defensive.
2.
Restrictions on the use of napalm should be removed.
3.
First priority on interdiction missions should be inbound convoys.
4.
Considerations should be given to use of U.S. and third country forces
to provide air support in Laos.
5.
U.S. aerial reconnaissance could contribute much in view of the limited
capability of the RLAP.
6.
The SAW detachment being deployed to SEA could provide substantial
assistance in training and advice to the RLAP.
These
views were forwarded to the State Department. On 20 March, the State
Department advised Ambassador Unger that a limited number of bomb fuses could
be released to the RLAF, since the proposed use of bombs could be considered
in support of "responsive counter-attacks to regain ground lost to the
Pathet Lao and as reprisal in response to Pathet Lao attack." This was
the first time the RLAF had been permitted to maintain
custody of any
bomb fuses.