 M16 rifles, fragmentation grenades, concussion grenades, and other small arms were then brought in.Secord said that given the site's meager defenses, he felt the site could not be held against a serious assault.Secord's fears were justified, as USAF reconnaissance aircraft regularly flying over northeastern Laos in 1967 revealed that the paved roads constructed by the North Vietnamese were obviously approaching Phou Pha Thi.