Galen Beery Legacy Exhibit
Evacuations
During the Secret War in Laos, evacuations were crucial due to various reasons, such as enemy forces taking over key areas, which meant civilians and soldiers needed to be moved to avoid danger and conflict (Benson, 2016).
Keeping local people, refugees, and military families safe in conflict areas was a top priority. So, evacuations, sometimes involving large groups like the 8,000 people moved from the Plain of Jars in 1970, were carried out to move them away from danger and conflict (Dommen & Kuhn, 1995).
The evacuations were not only about moving people but also involved logistical considerations, such as ensuring that people had access to essential services and support in the areas to which they were relocated. The evacuations were sometimes part of broader military and humanitarian strategies, which included ensuring the safety and well-being of displaced populations, including refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) (Benson, 2016).
Military equipment and intelligence also needed to be protected from enemy forces. This meant moving these assets from areas under threat. Sometimes, strategic military decisions meant that soldiers and related civilians also needed to be evacuated from certain areas. These moves were sometimes part of larger military strategies, such as regrouping or reallocating resources and personnel to other strategic points (Benson, 2016).
Ensuring the safety of civilian and military personnel, protecting assets, and strategic military decision-making were paramount in navigating the volatile and complex conflict environment (Benson, 2016).
References:
Benson, F. (2016). IVS Volunteers in Rural Laos, 1956-1969. International Voluntary Services Reunion 2016. Knoxville, Tennessee.
Dommen, A. J. & Kuhn, E. C. (1995). Interview with Ernest C. Kuhn. [Manuscript/Mixed Material] Retrieved from https://www.loc.gov/item/mfdipbib000646/
