從1966年到1973年的美國空軍人員，越戰期間執行的秘密任務「404 計劃」(Project 404)，為「白星行動」，受中情局的指揮深入寮國，但寮國立場保持不涉入越戰，他們並未穿著軍服而是便服，可以推測身份是軍事顧問團
Project 404 was the code name for covert operations by the United States Air Force during American efforts in Laos. From 1966 to 1973. The US Air Force provided advisors. Because Laos declared it's neutrality to the war between the US and North Vietnam. US Airmen did not wear uniforms but instead civilian attire.
Project 404 was the successor to Operation White Star. The goal of 404 was to provide the Royal Lao Air Force the necessary support in battling the Pathet Lao Communists. Originally the USAF did have some prior experience in Laos with programs such as the "Butterflies" which allocated a total of four Air Force NCOs. All of them sergeants who were from Combat Control Teams. These first airmen wore civilian uniforms and flew shotgun in Air America aircraft. Often riding with Lao or Thai interpreters. These Airmen helped to coordinate airstrikes. The three known of these airmen were Major John J. Garrity Jr, Master Sergeant Charles Larimore Jones, and Tech Sergeant James J. Stanford.
The program was going pretty well until General William Momyer discovered that enlisted men were in charge of the strikes and not officers. This ended the program as Momyer wanted rated fighter pilots. Despite end of the Butterfly program. Palace Dog was formed in response with the CIA coming up with a plan. This involved using Laotian interpreters to ride in aircraft flown by Americans. Thus leading to the Ravens. Ravens which acted as Forward Air Controllers.
Ravens had to have at least 60 days of service in Vietnam along with a certain number of flight times as a pilot or FAC. These men were screened by the 56th SOW at Nakhon Phanom RTAFB then assigned to the US Embassy in Vientiane. There they were given false identification and civilian clothing for the duration of their tour. These Airmen instead of reporting to an officer. Reported into the American Ambassador. This caused a lot of friction between US Military Commanders like Momyer or Westmoreland. Often Ravens suffered repercussions as the Air Force viewed this as an offensive.
23 Ravens died in Laos along with an army attache by the name of Joseph Bush.
For more information I strongly recommend The Ravens Website. Or books such as "The Ravens: The Men Who Flew in America's Secret War in Laos."
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