SPECOM

Building on this dubious foundation, a set of M60 machine guns was obtained from CIA irregular troops in trade and M72 LAW Anti-tank rocket launchers were siphoned off from Phou Khao Khouay.

By mid-year elements of the unit were heli-lifted again north-east of Seno to place a listening station near the Ho Chi Minh trail, the main NVA supply route extended through Laos.

A planned SPECOM assault into the national capital Vientiane after a group of renegade Royal Lao Air Force (RLAF) officers led by former Brigadier general Thao Ma captured Wattay Airbase in August was cancelled when their coup attempt quickly fell apart.

[12] Elements of 714e BP were deployed in early 1975 to Thakhek to reinforce local Royal Lao Police (PRL) and RLA infantry units in an unsuccessful attempt to quell pro-communist demonstrations.

[8] The SPECOM used the standard weaponry and equipment of US origin issued to FAR units, complemented by captured Soviet or Chinese small-arms such as AK-47 assault rifles that allowed its personnel to use ammunition retrieved from enemy caches while on operations.