Red River Valley Fighter Pilot (Aka, 'River Rats') Association by COMMANDO

In November of 1966, Col. Robin Olds, the commander of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, hosted a tactics conference at Ubon Air Force Base, 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 of 1967, the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat, RTAFB, Thailand, held the first of 5 “practice” reunions in Thailand, followed by Ubon, in August of 1967, Takhli in November of 1967, Udorn in March of 1968 and Korat in June of 1968.

In 1969, then Brig. Gen. Robin Olds met with Col. Scrappy Johnson to discuss the formation of a permanent organizational structure for the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, leading to its incorporation in Kansas.  In 1969, Col. Larry Pickett held the first stateside practice reunion at Wichita, KS.  It was a great success.

The organization’s purposes and 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.

85x75mm Woven Patch