Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 2.0 inch-50mm
RED RIVER VALLEY FIGHTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION
The Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association was founded as a military organization of fighter pilots to commemorate inter-service teamwork, strong esprit de corps, and unprecedented sacrifices demonstrated by American fighting men during the campaign over North Vietnam. The association established Pride of Patriotism and Defense of the Constitution of the United States of America as its guiding principles. We provide an active forum for discussion and debate of aerial warfare issues and encourage the United States government to achieve the fullest possible accounting for all service personnel declared MIA/KIA in all armed conflicts.
PURPOSE. Generate national awareness of military service and sacrifice and provide comfort and support for the family members of those uniformed service aircrew personnel MIA/KIA who were associated with the war in Southeast Asia to the present for both combat losses and operational accidents.
BUSINESS. To share the camaraderie and fellowship of our fellow aviators and provide scholarship assistance to dependents of the lost military service aircrew personnel.
VALUES. Support the Constitution of the United States and honor the service and sacrifice of our fellow US Military Aircrew Members. The RIVER RATS are maintaining the legacies of America’s greatest air warriors, passing those legacies to the young warriors who follow, and taking care of the children of those warriors who gave all.
HISTORY:
In Nov 1966, Col. Robin Olds, the commander of the 8th TFW, hosted a tactics conference at Ubon AB, Thailand. It included United States Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircrews who were flying combat missions over the Red River Valley of North Vietnam. In May 1967, the 388th TFW at Korat, RTAFB, Thailand, held the first of 5 “practice” reunions in Thailand, followed by Ubon, in Aug of 1967, Takhli in Nov 1967, Udorn in Mar 1968 and Korat in Jun 1968.
In 1969, then Brig. Gen. Robin Olds met with Col. Howard “Scrappy” Johnson to discuss the formation of a permanent organizational structure for the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, leading to incorporation in Kansas. In 1969, Col. Larry Pickett held the first stateside practice reunion at Wichita, KS.
In the beginning, our efforts were directed toward generating awareness of the Prisoners of War (POW) and aircrews Missing in Action/Killed in Action (MIA/KIA) and supporting their families.
The scholarship program was an early priority and remains a primary aspect of our mission. The fund was established at the San Antonio reunion in 1970 as a result of concern for the families of fellow River Rats who were POW/MIA/KIA. The hat was passed and three $1000 scholarships were awarded.
In Aug 1973, after the Prisoners of War had returned home, the first “real” reunion was held in Las Vegas, NV. On 30 Apr 1975, our name was amended to “Red River Valley Association, Inc.” in order to include more aviators.
In 1998, the scholarship program was expanded to include losses due to non-combat operational accidents. The association provides scholarships to children of United States military personnel MIA/KIA in armed conflicts from Southeast Asia through the present. Additionally, dependents of aircrew members killed in military aircraft accidents now qualify for scholarships.
Since 1970, The River Rats have awarded more than 1,200 scholarship grants totaling over 2.5 million dollars to the children and spouses of Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps aircrew members.