Air America and Drugs in Laos

“Air America” is an addlebrained aerial comedy that sets out to malign the reputations of the former pilots, and crews, of the real Air America, a CIA proprietary cargo hauling airline that flew missions, often under combat conditions, in Laos during the protracted Indochina conflict.

Cockburn’s article charges, by dredging up a book written 18 years ago, that Air America was involved in transporting opium out of Laos for distribution in the United States. Moreover, he claims to be the sole keeper of the “truth” brave enough to expose Air America’s purported involvement in drug-running to the public. In reality, Cockburn’s charges are nothing more than blatant fabrications that have been investigated many times over the years and found to be bogus.

I am a retired CIA official, and during my long tenure with the agency I served for several years in Laos. During my tour in Laos, I flew on many operational missions with Air America pilots, and they demonstrated to me that they were highly professional and honorable men.

JACK F. MATHEWS

Santa Barbara