The fifth and final SOG Halo mission was on October 11, 1971. RT Washington led by 1-0 SSG Robert L. McNier, other members were 1-1 SSGT Howard Sugar, SFC Dick Gross, Charles Behler and five Montagnards – Not, Biu, Hluih, Hmoi and Kai. This was the largest SOG Halo team to date. The objective was to land 25 mikes southwest of Pleiku in the La Drang Valley. The team jumped at 13,000 feet and were scattered during the decent. Before dawn, NVA patrols were searching for RT Washington. Bad weather precluded fighter or gunships to support the team on the ground. Mark Gentry fought a one man battle against a NVA Squad. After taking cover in a bomb crater, USAF Covey FAC, Lt. Paul Curs, used his small plane to simulate an air strike, firing rockets and making low passes to keep the NVA off of RT Washington. Two hours later the overcast broke and RT Washington were extracted.