September 1970. A Special Forces soldier, still carrying his rucksack, harness and carbine, steps off a helicopter ramp at a forward airfield and is met with a handshake and a cold drink. The photograph comes from material documenting Operation Tailwind, the MACV-SOG Hatchet Force raid into southern Laos led by Capt. Eugene McCarley, whose men were extracted by Marine CH-53 helicopters under Cobra gunship and A-1 Skyraider cover. Every member of the ground element was wounded during the four-day operation; medic Gary Michael Rose was awarded the Medal of Honor for his conduct there in 2017. Project: 219491