Sarit's government duly sanctioned the American decision, on the condition that the Thai involvement in this programme be kept in strict secrecy. The Thais would provide the manpower while the United States would provide financial support and equipment. More and more five-man and ten-man PARU teams were gradually sent to Laos to train the Hmong. These teams included communication specialists, weapons and ammunition specialists, medical technicians, and combat instructors. The Hmong learned all kinds of hit-and-run guerrilla warfare tactics. The PARUs and their CIA colleagues were extremely impressed by the Hmong's courage, willingness to fight their great knowledge of local terrain and their exceptional skills in mountain climbing. The Hmong knew how to hit the enemy and run to safety. They could continue hiking and living off the land for several days 29 By March 1961, 3,000 Hmong had been trained. The project looked so promising that President Kennedy ordered a 33 per cent increase in the number of Hmong clandestine fighters by 1 April.