Galen Beery Legacy Exhibit

How It Worked

Procurement and Local Engagement

The rice procurement process was an intricate operation that involved flying helicopters to various villages, carrying money and scales to purchase rice directly from the villagers. This direct interaction was not just a transaction but a crucial engagement. Regular meetings with village headmen, who often had direct ties with area military commanders, were essential. These relationships were a cornerstone for maintaining safety and gathering intelligence on enemy movements (Hillmer, 2007b).

Rice Drops: Sustenance from Above

Rice drops were a critical lifeline for refugees stranded in areas with no road access, often in conflict zones. The Curtiss C-46 Commando aircraft, a relic from World War II known for its Himalayan operations, was central to these drops. Despite not being certified for U.S. flights due to its short electrical propellers, the C-46 was ideal for these operations, carrying up to 4.8 tons of rice (Hillmer, 2007b).

Packaging and Logistics

Attention to detail was crucial right down to the packaging. Rice was initially packed in jute bags before transitioning to polypropylene, each containing 40 kilos (~88 lbs). For the drops, rice was stacked on large wooden pallets, sometimes with a bag of salt in the center, in configurations of 16 bags. These pallets were then loaded onto tracks inside the C-46, pushed to the door, and tipped to release over drop zones at an optimal altitude of 800 feet (Hillmer, 2007b).

Communication and Drop Protocols

Precision was key during drops. Villages or military outposts used specific signals to communicate with pilots (e.g., T for tango, A for alpha), who had daily drop sheets with detailed coordinates and required signals. Any deviation from the protocol could prompt a mission abort, ensuring safety from potential threats or enemy interception. Multiple passes were often necessary, with aircraft circling back to ensure the complete drop of rice (Hillmer, 2007b).

Resource Management and Re-Drops

In the program's early days, entire pallets were dropped, later repurposed by locals for building homes. To cut costs, subsequent operations saw rice slid off the pallets, allowing their retention for future use. For smaller, more remote sites, various smaller aircraft or helicopters were employed for re-drops, guaranteeing that no one was left out (Hillmer, 2007b).

Nutritional Augmentation: The Introduction of Canned Meat

A significant enhancement to the program was the introduction of canned meat, following a public health directive by Dr. Weldon to address protein deficiencies among the populations. Procured from places like Singapore and Bangkok, the operation scaled up quickly, distributing approximately 25,000 cases monthly. An innovative parachute system, devised by Mac Thompson and Joe Flipse, ensured the safe descent of canned meat to the ground, boasting a 70-80% success rate in intact deliveries (Hillmer, 2007b).

References:

Hillmer, P. (2007b). Interview with Mac Thompson. Hmong Oral History Project. 33. https://digitalcommons.csp.edu/hmong-studies_hohp/33