During the siege of Khe Sanh, the United States went to great lengths to resupply the U.S. Marine garrison stationed there. However, due to PAVN artillery and mortar strikes, landing at the Khe Sanh airstrip became a hazardous endeavor. The GPES delivery system dispensed with the need for aircraft landings thereby greatly reducing exposure to artillery attacks. GPES along with the LAPES delivery system were both employed at Khe Sanh, though the former method was considered more suitable for conditions at Khe Sanh. Both delivery methods entailed risk and required a high degree of crew proficiency and training. Improper delivery could result in damage to the cargo, ground structures and even injury or death to both air crew and ground personnel. After the Vietnam War, GPES was phased out in favor of LAPES, which became the Army's standard delivery system.