At 1500 hours, the aircraft was orbiting over the communist stronghold approximately 10 to 20 miles south of Sam Neua City when Major Bossio radioed: "We are under attack by MiG fighters." Then he added: "We are being forced down by fighters." It was later determined by 7th Air Force that the enemy aircraft that forced the RC47D down were MiG 17's.
Aerial search and rescue (SAR) operations were immediately launched, but could find no trace of the aircraft or its crew in the populated, forested mountains of Sam Neua Province. When no trace of the aircraft or its crew could be found, formal SAR efforts were terminated on 30 July. At that time, all eight men were listed Missing in Action.

The above excerpt was taken from a detailed report on this sensitive operation. Please see the complete report at:

http://www.taskforceomegainc.org/b039.html

Conklin, Bernard, Lt Col