 Within two months , however , the limit of the operational area was extended past the Mekong , and U.S. tactical aircraft were soon directly supporting Cambodian forces in the field . These missions were officially denied by the U.S. and false coordinates were given in official reports to hide their existence . Defense Department records indicated that out of more than 8 @,@ 000 combat sorties flown in Cambodia between July 1970 and February 1971 , approximately 40 percent were flown outside the authorized Freedom Deal boundary . 
 Within two months , however , the limit of the operational area was extended past the Mekong , and U.S. tactical aircraft <a href='uninflect' title='1'><mark>were</mark></a> soon directly supporting Cambodian forces in the field . These missions <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>were</mark></a> officially denied by the U.S. and false coordinates <a href='uninflect' title='3'><mark>were</mark></a> given in official reports to hide their existence . Defense Department records indicated that out of more than 8 @,@ 000 combat sorties flown in Cambodia between July 1970 and February 1971 , approximately 40 percent <a href='uninflect' title='4'><mark>were</mark></a> flown outside the authorized Freedom Deal boundary . 
Within two months , however , da limit of tdaoperational area was extended past the Mekong , and U.S. tactical aircraft was soon directly supporting Cambodian forces in the field . dese missions was officially denied by the U.S. and false coordinates was given in official reports to hide their existence . Defense Department records indicated dat outt of more den 8 @,@ 000 combat sorties flown in Cambodia between July 1970 and February 1971 , approximately 40 percent was flown outside the authorized Freedom Deal boundary .