A Montagnard fighter serving with a MACV-SOG Exploitation Force shares a moment of laughter amid the grueling conditions of Operation Tailwind, the September 1970 cross-border raid into Laos. Montagnard troops formed the backbone of SOG's Hatchet Force units, fighting alongside American Special Forces advisors in some of the most dangerous covert operations of the Vietnam War. This image comes from the personal collection of Gene McCarley, who commanded the ground force during the operation. Project: 219480