A sign by one of the three helipads atop Black Virgin Mountain (Nui Ba Den) warns visitors of “enemy attack at any time.” Such signs are posted at all of the helicopter landing pads, instructing visitors to give name, unit, address of next-of-kin to Black Virgin Mountain’s switchboard so your kin can be notified if you get blown away during the night. Mortar attacks by the Viet Cong who occupy positions down the mountain and in the flatlands below is an almost nightly occurrence for the outpost.

Read more about life in the camp above the clouds and see additional photos here.

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