Operation Tailwind

Memoirs of a Secret Battle in a Secret War

By: Barry Pencek

Narrated by: Dan Nachtrab

The Studies and Observations Group was a covert American military unit in Vietnam that specialized in clandestine cross-border operations in Laos and Cambodia. In September 1970, sixteen Green Berets and one-hundred-twenty Montagnard mercenaries departed on Operation Tailwind, the largest and deepest raid in SOG history. Their mission was to disrupt and distract the enemy in support of a larger CIA operation that originated in the White House.

Over the next four days, as their ammunition dwindled and casualties mounted, these soldiers, and the aircrews overhead that went to extraordinary lengths to keep them alive, achieved the improbable if not the impossible.

Twenty-eight years after Tailwind concluded, CNN produced a documentary about Tailwind, called “Valley of Death,” accusing the participants of war crimes, specifically using nerve gas to kill women, children, and American defectors. This broadcast created a media firestorm that reached around the world.

In Operation Tailwind: Memoirs of a Secret Battle in a Secret War, Barry Pencek gives an incredibly detailed account of the four-day running battle and does a thought-provoking deep dive into the failure of journalistic ethics at CNN that created a media debacle. Besides being one hell of a war story, Operation Tailwind provides a great example of the need for the highest integrity in journalism and should be required reading for all J-school students.

©2022 Barry D Pencek (P)2023 Barry D Pencek

I saw a lot of my experiences when he first arrived in country.

Good story well written. The book draws you in wanting to know more about the author.

How self serving the media really is.

This story reinforced my personal thoughts on how disingenuous and dangerous cable news can be. I liked that the author was actually a participant in Tailwind and had firsthand knowledge of the operation, If one ever wonders why the military in general distrusts the media this book does a great job of explaining it.

Truth over CNN

This is a true story, of American warriors, an attempted smear by CNN, and the truth wins out.

Great read!!

Such an epic mission, in a chaotic time. I love SF stories, but it was great to hear it from a pilots point of view.

Great 📚 read

was a well writer about operation Tailwind cross the fence in Laos. and the brave S.O.G. MILITARY THAT fought there and the C.N.N. NEWS report of the raid witch where all false and full of lies. it was the start of 24 hr news programing that proved more oversight and fact checking ae needed bu all of the many 24 hr news programming 😀

Well Researched

Well researched and the author makes a great case as to how the media (CNN) created a false narrative with manufactured "facts" to back it up. I too flew in Vietnam but knew little of the war in Laos. Highly recommend this audio book.

Excellent! Immersive!

This memoir offers a provocative account of a covert battle, the use of nerve gas, CNN’s ethical reporting failures, and the courageous men involved in Operation Tailwind. This is a powerful and detailed narrative of their actions, as well as the military and government operations surrounding this secret mission.

The author, Barry Pencek, carefully details his role in Operation Tailwind from before his enlistment to after his retirement. He writes with clarity and conciseness, infusing the content with authentic dialogue and logical deductions. His narrative and dialogue flow smoothly, enriched by historical incidents, and the quotes he brings to the narrative are rich in emotion, patriotism, and pride. He immerses the listener completely from beginning to end.

The narrator, Dan Nachtrab, delivers a strong voice reflective of the strength of each character. His delivery is deliberate and resonates with patriotism throughout. His cadence vividly and poignantly captures the emotions and inner strength of each character.

This book brought back my memories of the Vietnam War, Kennedy, Kissinger, and more just from the simple yet powerful words promoting civic action and public service: Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country. A compelling and emotional book that deeply engages and immerses the listener.

There were no issues with the quality or production of this audiobook.