This report looks at the relationship between the U.S. and Thailand, in particular, recent rivalries between populist political forces, nepotism in government, and Thai relationships with neighboring countries.

Interview with Thomas Jenny, a Marine Corps and Air America pilot from Miami, Florida, who served in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Jenny discusses his interest in aviation, entering the Naval Flight Training Program, flight training, joining the Marine Corps, assignment to Korea, working for Pan-Am, joining Air America, and flying a variety of aircraft and missions from Thailand and Laos.

Interview with William "Jake" Wehrell, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran and Air America Pilot conducted for the Air America Oral History Project. He discusses his childhood and education in New Jersey and Central College; decision to enlist in the Marine Corps during the Korean War; experiences while stationed at El Toro, California, Japan, Cherry Point, NC, Parris Island, SC, and Beaufort, SC, and aboard an aircraft carrier; decision to join Air America; experiences while stationed in Taiwan, Bangkok, Saigon, and Phnom Penh; opinions on the Vietnam War and Air America’s role in it.

Interview with John Stiles, a US Air Force navigator and Vietnam War veteran from Memphis, Tennessee. Stiles discusses joining the Air Force, the RF-4 Phantom II, deployment to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, flying reconnaissance missions over North Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos, being shot down and later meeting the Vietnamese pilot who did it, and Air America.