Operation Frequent Wind: The Chaotic Evacuation of U.S. Military from Vietnam
Operation Frequent Wind was the final phase of the evacuation of U.S. military personnel from Vietnam, occurring on April 29-30, 1975. The operation involved the evacuation of personnel from the U.S. Embassy and the Defense Attaché’s Office in Saigon. The mission was marked by chaos and urgency, as thousands of South Vietnamese citizens and U.S. personnel awaited rescue. The operation required more helicopters than initially planned, with contributions from the Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, and Air America. Despite challenges, including night-time evacuations and presidential directives, the operation successfully evacuated over 7,000 individuals. 
