Misty was the radio call sign of Operation "Commando Sabre," the Fast Forward Air Controllers whose mission was to interdict the flow of supplies and hostile forces on the Ho Chi Minh Trail in North Vietnam and Laos during 1967-1970. Colonel George E. "Bud" Day, a Medal of Honor and Air Force Cross recipient, was the first commander and was a prisoner of war for 5 years 7 months. Those killed in action were Howard "Howie" Williams on 18 Mar 68, Mike McElhanon on 16 Aug 68, John Overlock on 16 Aug 68, Lee Gourley on 9 Aug 69, Jefferson "Scotty" Dotson on 9 Aug 69, Patrick "Pat" Carroll on 2 Nov 69, Lawrence "Larry" Whitford on 2 Nov 69, and Clyde Seiler on 27 May 69. Of 157 Misty pilots, 34 were shot down, and 2 were shot down more than once.