“River Rats” – The Red River Valley Association
- “River Rats” – The Red River Valley Association Ben Buehler-Garcia 39:54
River Rats was the nickname given to aircrews that flew missions over the Red River Valley that runs southeast from Hanoi to the Gulf of Tonkin. At the time, it was the most heavily defended airspace in the history of aerial combat. One of every 40 persons who flew these missions never returned.
The Red River Valley Association was created to commemorate the inter-service teamwork, strong spirit de corps and the sacrifices made by the air crews flying those dangerous missions over North Vietnam. One of their original missions was to generate awareness of the Prisoners of War and air crews Missing in Action and supporting their families.
For this episode, we are joined by two River Rats and members of the Red River Valley Association. Rich Martindell flew 232 combat missions over Vietnam as an F-4 Phantom pilot. Ken Shanke flew 239 combat missions as a “back seater” in F-4 Phantoms.
Rich says that some of the first Red River Valley tactical conferences were not just about comradery but also about survival. They were trying to figure out ways to fly “smartly” in North Vietnam without suffering so many losses.
Initially, only air crews who had flown at least one mission across the Red River were able to join the organization. Since then the bylaws have been changed to open membership up to any designated flight crew members from any service in any conflict. The Association held “practice” reunions until 1973 when all the POW’s were returned.
The Association has continued their original mission of family support by awarding more than 1,200 scholarships to children of KIA/MIA military personnel and those killed in non-combat related accidents. To date, the value of those scholarships has exceeded $ 3 million. Their affiliate Air Warrior Courage Foundation has also provided over $7 million in direct support to military families.
At 69 years old, Martindell returned as a civilian pilot for General Atomics, flying MQ-9 surveillance drone missions in Africa & the Middle East. His experiences are shared in the book “Game of Drones”.
