Missions in Laos

REMEMBER – RECOVER – REPATRIATE

Missions in Laos was established to:

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
share the importance of research, investigations and the recovery of MIAs through public awareness at events and presentations to veteran organizations and the public
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.
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 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 guide 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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PLEASE VISIT OTHER PAGES ON MY WEBSITE

For details about “Mission: Public awareness/speaking engagements”

please click here.

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

For details about “Mission: Investigative research” of MIAs

please click here.

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.

Also, visit the sub-page “MISSION 2025- previous years too for a diary of Susan’s current trip and previous trips to Laos and Vietnam.

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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 fundraiser is ongoing indefinitely.

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

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

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UPDATE FOR 2025

I ARRIVED IN BANGKOK THAILAND ON 06 MAR 2025.

LEAVING 09 MAR 2025 FOR LAOS. WILL POST UPDATES HERE & MY FACEBOOK PAGE- MISSIONS IN LAOS- past present future AS I AM ABLE TO.

Susan will be returning to Laos in March 2025 to continue searching for answers about the loss of Colonel Luna. Although in late 2024 a report was released to his family by the DPAA about a site visit in 2017 to a possible burial location it might not be related.

Additionally, Susan is studying a few other losses in the same area as the colonel and will be further investigating possible crash sites and last known locations of crew members. At home she stays busy analyzing losses in Laos and documenting findings on charts/spreadsheets. It’s also important to her to network with like-minded people sharing the same interest in investigating MIA losses. When the opportunity arises she will continue to give presentations to veterans organizations and participate in events for veterans.

In March humanitarian aid will be provided again to the people in Ban Kok Mak. It will also be an opportunity to gather information in furtherance of Missions in Laos project to provide school uniforms to the children in the village.

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OVER 1,500 reasons to continue to search

1,5743

MIA servicemembers UNACCOUNTED-FOR from the
VIETNAM WAR

as of 12 FEB 25*

includes

280+

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

as of 12 FEB 25**

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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: