US Secret War in Laos
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The Hmong T-28 Exhibit honors the Hmong pilots who flew the North American T-28 "Trojan" and other aircraft from remote airstrips in support of American CIA covert operations in Laos during the U.S. Secret War.
The Aviation Heritage Center's North American T-28 aircraft was actually used to train Hmong pilots to fly at Udorn RTAFB (Royal Thai Air Force Base) Thailand, as part of Operation Waterpump. It is the only exhibit of its kind in the nation that recognizes the sacrifice made by the Hmong pilots in the name of freedom to defend their homeland during the Vietnam War. Other men who are honored by this exhibit are the Ravens (a brave and select group of clandestine American pilots who flew as Forward Air Controllers alongside the Hmong) and the T-28 Instructor Pilots of Det. 1, Special Operations Wing 56. The aircraft was restored to exhibit quality by EAA Chapter 766. |
