Marine CH-53 helicopter and Hatchet Force troops at a forward landing zone, Southeast Asia, circa 1970. From the personal slides of Lieutenant Colonel Eugene 'Gene' McCarley, who commanded the ground element of Operation Tailwind, the September 1970 MACV-SOG raid into southern Laos. Tailwind inserted a company-sized Hatchet Force of American Special Forces soldiers and indigenous Montagnard troops deep into enemy-held territory aboard Marine CH-53s of HMH-463, supported by Cobra gunships and Air Force A-1 Skyraiders. The men here wear the unmarked fatigues, mixed camouflage and soft boonie hats typical of SOG operations, carrying individually tailored loads for missions run far beyond conventional support. Medic Gary Michael Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2017 for his actions during Tailwind. Project: 218854