KPL
A formal ceremony for the handover of remains of a US service member missing during the Indochina War in Laos was held in Pakse City, Champassak Province on Feb 23, 2026.
The event followed the conclusion of the second joint field operation of the 2025–2026 period.
Teams from the Lao PDR and the United States conducted intensive search and excavation efforts across several provinces to locate personnel listed as Missing in Action (MIA).
The joint technical teams focused their recent efforts on three specific historical cases namely case 2052, located at Phou Pha Thi, Sam Neua district, Huaphanh Province; case 1743, located in Vak Tai, Kalum district, Xekong Province; and case 1384, located in Talang Mai, Kalum district, Xekong Province.
Of these three sites, only the remains of case 2052 in Huaphanh Province were successfully recovered.
The ceremony was presided over by Mr Maythong Thammavongsa, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, who supervises MIA survey and excavation operations. Representing the United States was Ms Michelle Outlaw, Chargée d'Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy to the Lao PDR.
During the proceedings, Mr Thammavongsa formally transferred the remains to the American delegation, witnessed by officials from both nations.
The Lao government described the ongoing mission as a reflection of its "consistent humanitarian policy" toward the US government and the families of those missing. This bilateral cooperation has spanned 41 years, involving surveys and excavations across the country.
The success of these missions has relied heavily on the active support of local authorities and people, who have assisted technical teams in navigating difficult terrain and identifying potential crash sites.
The recovery efforts remain a cornerstone of Lao-US relations.
To date, 576 US personnel were originally listed as missing in Laos with 295 individuals (over 50%) identified and repatriated.
Two hundred eighty-one personnel remain unaccounted for, necessitating continued joint field operations in the future.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to this humanitarian mission, noting that the transparency and success of MIA recovery efforts continue to serve as a vital catalyst for strengthening broader bilateral ties between the two countries.
KPL
