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To: Jenya
1. Kerry was stationed on the coast. Not mid-Mekong river.
2. Kerry' unit's patrol area was as close as 50 miles to the border. By air, in a straight line. Rivers aren't straight, by river distance he was more like 100 miles.
3. A different type of boat was used further up river, PBRs. Fiberglass hulled, water jet drive. Smaller.
4. Kerry was in command for only a few weeks. Why would the CIA, or Special Forces use or trust a newbie? And what commander would assign a new doofus like Kerry with such a task? No one, and no one did.
5. Such a insertion mission would, at a minimum, require a day of planning, a day of running fast up river, crossing and insertion at night, a day running back down river, and I would imagine a day for rest and refit. Where is the week Kerry did this? He was only running boats for a total of like 12-13 weeks. Furthermore he said he did this multiple times. So he needs multiple weeks.
6. What SF and or Seal unit did he work with? I'm sure they would be glad to confirm Kerrys lie, oops, missions.
Thanks for the repost of Leislers summary.
Something else bothers me - how long could those boats run without refueling? I mean, two 500 HP outboards can suck some serious fuel.
I have heard a four to six hour run by a Swift boat from where JF*K was stationed to the border. Was that flat out? That means he needed fuel for an 8 hour run, plus ammo, plus SEALs and their gear.
It would seen to me that it is the wrong type of boat in any case for that mission. Too slow, too noisy. Helo insertion seems to be the only way to go.