Missions in Laos

Missions in Laos was established to:

assist you with planning a trip to Laos because of your connection to someone who is MIA (missing-in-action). You may have a desire to travel to Laos because of a connection to the Vietnam War and specifically “The Secret War in Laos” by your relationship to a loved one who served and was or is still MIA, Maybe you are a veteran who served in this war and has an interest in returning to Laos.
continue research and maintain awareness of recovery efforts of MIA U.S. servicemen, and connect with our community to spread awareness of the MIA issue
provide humanitarian aid to remote villages in Laos

The background of Missions in Laos began while looking into a past mission. Susan who is the founder of Missions in Laos has spent almost a decade researching a USAF pilot MIA in Laos since 1969. She has a POW-MIA bracelet for over 50 years with the pilot’s name and date of loss…
“Lt. Col. Carter Luna, 3-10-69” inscribed on it.

In furtherance of her present day research Susan became acquainted with Chris Corbett, owner/operator of Lao Adv Tours in Luang Prabang, Laos. In March 2023 and 2024 she hired Chris as her driver during her trips to Laos. With Chris’ knowledge of the Savannakhet Province they were able to find the last known position of Colonel Carter Luna when he became missing-in-action in Laos on 10 MAR 69.

an excavated crash site of a USAF plane

While traveling through a remote area of the Savannakhet Province along with a guide/translator, Chris and Susan also visited two crash sites. These sites had been excavated and the remains of two USAF pilots were later identified and ultimately repatriated to the U.S.

For details about “Mission: Tours” please click here.

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For details about “Mission: MIA Recovery” please click here.

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Mission in Laos believes it is important to provide humanitarian aid in Laos villages. The past has affected the present day lives of people in Laos villages, and has an influence on their future.

For details about “Mission: Humanitarian aid”
please click here.

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typical modes of transportation in remote Laos

Susan has taken hundreds of photographs during her trips to Laos including U.S. military aircraft crash sites, local villages and the people who live there, and photos specifically related to Colonel Carter Luna’s loss.
We invite you to visit the “Photo gallery” page by clicking here.

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In 2024 Susan created a Go Fund Me account as a source for donations to provide humanitarian support to people in a remote village.

This supports my goal of “Mission: Humanitarian aid”.

CLICK HERE: https://gofund.me/2226af18

2024- Some of the supplies we delivered in Ban Kok Mak, Laos

2023- Susan in Ban Kok Mak, Laos

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A SPECIAL HONOR WHEN…

Susan was invited to be the guest speaker on Veterans Day 2023 at the A-1 Skyraider Pilot Association in Ft. Walton Beach, FL. Captain George Marrett, USAF, Ret. invited her to the reunion where they gave a presentation to more than 100 pilots and other service members. Captain Marrett described the rescue mission he led on 10 MAR 69 after Colonel Carter Luna was shot down in central Laos. Susan gave a detailed presentation about her research of Colonel Luna, and her trips to Laos. They received a standing ovation which indicated they were well received by this group of courageous and dedicated men. A-1 pilots flew combat missions in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and also were a main element of search and rescue missions.

Susan: “This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me but maybe I’ll be invited to the next reunion in 2025 and have updated information to share.”

This is a link to the video of the presentation on YouTube.
(apx. 1 hr. 20 min. in length)

Susan with Captain George Marrett, USAF, Ret.

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OVER 1,500 reasons to continue to search

1,573

MIA servicemembers UNACCOUNTED-FOR from the
VIETNAM WAR

as of 09 OCT 24*

includes

280

MIA service members UNACCOUNTED-FOR in LAOS from the
VIETNAM WAR

as of 09 OCT 24**

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THIS WEBSITE IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE U.S. SERVICE MEMBERS WHO ARE STILL
UNACCOUNTED-FOR FROM THE VIETNAM WAR,
AND SPECIFICALLY IN REMEMBERANCE OF: