Editing Theodore Shackley (section)

===Southeast Asia and Air America (1966–1972):===
Laos (1966–1968): Shackley was appointed CIA station chief in Vientiane, Laos, during the height of the Vietnam War. He directed the “Secret War” in Laos, managing CIA support for the Hmong militia led by General Vang Pao against the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese. [[Air America]], the CIA’s covert airline, played a critical role in these operations, airlifting supplies, troops, and operatives to remote airstrips.

As station chief, Shackley directly oversaw Air America’s operations in Laos, coordinating logistics for Hmong forces, search-and-rescue missions, and covert insertions. Air America’s pilots transported CIA personnel, including Shackley’s operatives, and conducted rice drops and medical evacuations. Allegations of Air America’s involvement in opium trafficking surfaced during this period, with some historians (e.g., Alfred W. McCoy) claiming Shackley turned a blind eye to drug smuggling by Vang Pao’s forces to fund operations. Shackley denied these claims, and evidence remains contested.

Saigon (1968–1972): Promoted to chief of station in Saigon, South Vietnam, Shackley managed CIA operations during the Vietnam War, including the controversial [[Phoenix Program]], which targeted Viet Cong infrastructure through intelligence, capture, and assassination. The program, credited with neutralizing thousands of Viet Cong, was criticized for human rights abuses, including torture and extrajudicial killings. Shackley’s deputy, Thomas Polgar, and operatives like Felix Rodriguez were key figures in these efforts.

Air America supported Phoenix operations by transporting CIA teams and captured prisoners. Shackley’s oversight of these missions solidified his connection to the airline.