Lights Out – Destination Darkness

About the Book

From June 20, 1970, until noon on August 15, 1973, the United States fought a war in Cambodia which was hidden from the American public. For almost three and one half years, President Richard Nixon waged this war, a large part of which was conducted as the Rustic Operation, against the Khmer Rouge, NVA, and VC.

It took over twenty-five years to have the majority of the Rustic Operation declassified. Even today, the United States government and the Department of the Air Force still disavow this part of our War in Southeast Asia – known to most as the Vietnam War. Members of Congress and the Air Force continue to take steps to taint and diminish the service of those veterans who flew their combat missions across the “fence,” the imaginary line that comprised the border of South Vietnam with Cambodia.

Yet the lessons to be learned and a comprehensive review of our mistakes, as well as our successes, have been set aside in the interest of protecting political legacies. Tragic consequences have resulted. This book begins to tell the truths about America’s Unknown War: Cambodia.

Don Mercer, Rustic 41

Lights Out – Destination Darkness gives any reader who has an open mind the realities of the “Southeast Asian War Games.”

Noel Wayne Baker, Rustic 22

About the Author

Don Mercer has been a pilot since attending Virginia Military Institute. After graduation from USAF pilot training in 1970, he served at Bien Hoa, Republic of Vietnam, flying the Cessna O-2A as a Forward Air Controller in 1970-71. His call sign was Rustic 41 in flying combat missions supporting the Rustic Operation over Cambodia. He continued flying as a T-38 instructor pilot in the Air Force and then as a fighter pilot flying the F-105 in the Virginia Air National Guard. He worked in the insurance and investment industries for over thirty years. He resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia.