On September 25, 2018, a C-123K transport plane departed Udon Thani RTAFB (UTH), Thailand, on a Peppergrinder flight to Ban Xieng Lom Airstrip (LS-69). The plane carried 12,892 pounds of mixed ordnance, including 75 mm shells, 81 mm rounds, 222 caliber small arms ammunition, and white phosphorus smoke rounds. The calculated crosswinds at 8,500 feet, 293’s reported altitude, indicated a potential course deviation to the right of the planned route and a higher-than-normal ground speed. The pilot, despite being familiar with the route, was likely to have inadequate cross-wind correction, potentially positioning the aircraft to the right of L-23 and beyond LS-62. A valley, similar to LS-62, existed northeast of LS-62, and a descent towards LS-69 initiated by the pilot could have triggered an immediate and violent enemy reaction. Large anti-aircraft guns were located approximately 15 miles north of LS-62.On September 25, 2018, a C-123K transport plane departed Udon Thani RTAFB (UTH), Thailand, on a Peppergrinder flight to Ban Xieng Lom Airstrip (LS-69). The plane carried 12,892 pounds of mixed ordnance, including 75 mm shells, 81 mm rounds, 222 caliber small arms ammunition, and white phosphorus smoke rounds. The calculated crosswinds at 8,500 feet, 293’s reported altitude, indicated a potential course deviation to the right of the planned route and a higher-than-normal ground speed. The pilot, despite being familiar with the route, was likely to have inadequate cross-wind correction, potentially positioning the aircraft to the right of L-23 and beyond LS-62. A valley, similar to LS-62, existed northeast of LS-62, and a descent towards LS-69 initiated by the pilot could have triggered an immediate and violent enemy reaction. Large anti-aircraft guns were located approximately 15 miles north of LS-62.