Civil Air Transport (CAT) was a CIA-owned airline that supported United States covert operations throughout East and Southeast Asia.

CAT was created by General Claire L. Chennault and Whiting Willauer in 1946 as Chinese National Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (CNRRA) Air Transport. Using surplus World War II aircraft, CAT airlifted supplies and food into war-ravaged China. During the Chinese Civil War, under contract with the Chinese Nationalist government and later the Central Intelligence Agency, CAT flew supplies and ammunition into China to assist Kuomintang forces on the Chinese mainland. With the defeat of the Kuomintang in 1949, CAT helped to evacuate thousands of Chinese to the island of Taiwan.

By 1950 the airline was facing financial difficulties. The CIA formed a private Delaware Corporation called Airdale, Inc., which formed a subsidiary corporation called CAT,Incorporated. The subsidiary corporation purchased nominal shares of Civil Air Transport Company LTD. CAT, Inc. maintained a civilian appearance by flying scheduled passenger flights while simultaneously using other aircraft in its fleet to fly covert missions. During the Korean War, CAT, Inc. airlifted thousands of tons of war materials to supply United States military operations, including support of Kuomintang holdouts based in Burma. CAT, Inc. also transported supplies and troops for French operations during the First Indochina War.

The holding company, Airdale, Inc., changed its name to The Pacific Corporation in 1957. CAT, Inc. tried to change their name at the same time to Air America, Inc., but it took two more years due to objections from Air France and American Airlines. In 1959 the name change went into effect and due to increased communist activity in South East Asia began supporting American troops in Laos and Vietnam. Air America, Inc. provided direct and indirect support to Operation White Star and Operation Hot Foot, which consisted of United States Special Forces operations. Air America, which supported covert operations throughout Indochina during the Second Indochina War, particularly in Laos, was designated by the Secretary Of State as the primary search and rescue force in Laos. Later, they became the secondary SAR, but were instrumental in saving many US Military flight crews in Laos. Air America, Inc. employees were the only known private corporation employees to operate non FAA certified military aircraft in a combat role. This was done to prevent violating the Geneval convention. Air America, Inc. was closly monitored by the US Military and were often controlled by the 7/13th Air Force. Accusations about drug activity were absolutely false and Air America, Inc. was the first airline to use drug sniffing dogs and a drug security force at their main operating airports.

External links

• The CAT / Air America Archive
• Air America web site