December News!
- Theresa Scheets
- 2 days ago
- 7 min read
Table of Contents |
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A Short Note From the Association President
3rd Brigade News
2026 Reunion
2026 Elections
Fundraisers
Dates in Rakkasan History
Chapter News
Contact Us
President's Note |
Greetings fellow Rakkasans,
We are nearing the end of another year. The year 2025 has brought significant changes for the Regiment, including a new structure, new equipment, and new tactics. We are proud of the current Rakkasans for tackling these new challenges with the spirit and professionalism that have always characterized the finest Regiment in the U.S. Army.
This year has been excellent not only for the Regiment but the National Rakkasan Association as well. We have increased our membership and supported various activities in and around Fort Campbell, Kentucky. However, there's always more we can do. The battalions are always open to visits from former Rakkasans. If you're near Ft. Campbell or passing through, take the opportunity to visit the Rakkasan Regiment and in the near future, the Tennessee Wings of Liberty Museum (scheduled to open in March of 2026). If you reside near Ft. Campbell, connect with your unit to find ways to support the soldiers. This season can be particularly lonely for soldiers who are far from home.
As we step into 2026, we do so with eager anticipation. I encourage you to join and get involved with the National Rakkasan Association. Take the next step and locate a nearby chapter or collaborate with someone to establish a new one. The Association's original structure was based on individuals' geographical locations. However, with modern communication methods, it's now feasible to start a chapter centered around events. For example, the largest chapter, the Weldon F. Honeycutt / Hamburger Hill Chapter, began as an event-based chapter and has grown its membership significantly over time. What event did you participate in as a Rakkasan? Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Anaconda, or deployments to Afghanistan or Iraq. Help us strengthen the Association and advance our mission.
On behalf of the Officers and Board Members of the Rakkasan Association, we wish each of you and your families a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you in 2026.
LVNF
Bob
3rd brigade news |
A MESSAGE FROM RAK 6
RAKKASANS!
Thank you for your steadfast support of the Regiment. Here is how our Brigade continues to prepare for combat.
In November, we executed platoon and squad live fires at Fort Campbell, gaining another vital repetition in synchronizing fire with maneuver to bring targeted violence to bear. Our Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company (Viper) worked with the 101st Robotics and Autonomous Integration Directorate (RAID) to conduct the first live fire of the ABE 1.01 First-Person View (FPV) Drone. This critical training will help our Rakkasan drone pilots become brilliant at the basics of new technology engineered right here at Fort Campbell.
This week, Company command teams are at Kinnard Mission Training Complex (KMTC) for a virtual Fire Support Coordination Exercise. Our commanders are practicing the coordination required to employ effective fires through echelonment in combined arms maneuver. This weekend, our leaders head to the range to conduct a “walk and shoot.” The opportunity to see their fire support plan in real time and space is vital.
Our Soldiers continue raise the bar. Just this month, PFC Schroeder, from Dog Company, 2-506 IN BN, was named the Distinguished Honor Graduate of his Air Assault School class. His dedication to excellence in rigorous physical training, classroom learning,
and hands-on testing—sling load inspections, repelling, and the obstacle course—is the standard we expect across the Regiment.
In December, we will be in the field for more collective training. From there, we will move into Holiday Block Leave for some much-deserved rest before the New Year. In January, we will execute a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) during Division’s pre-JRTC validation exercise, Operation Lethal Eagle, that integrates all warfighting functions. Our mission is simple: create lethal, resilient teams—capable of winning our next fight.
We are grateful for the legacy we stand on—from Hamburger Hill in Vietnam to Kandahar Province in Afghanistan—and everywhere in between. We train every day to uphold your standard. From our Rakkasan family to yours, we wish you the best this holiday season!
Let Valor Not Fail!
COL Ryan Bell
RAK6
2026 Reunions |
2026 National Rakkasan Association/Hamburger Hill Chapter
35th Anniversary of Desert Storm
Save the dates! Mark your calendar! The 2026 reunion is scheduled for May 13 to 17, 2026 in Clarksville, TN and Fort Campbell, KY.
We are finalizing details this month and should have registration information available on our website by end of December. We will email out an announcement when everything is finalized.
Keep an eye on our Events Page.
2026 Scholarships
For many years, the Hamburger Hill Chapter has sponsored scholarships for children and/or grandchildren of veterans. The Chapter and the Association will be offering these scholarships again in 2026 with the awardees being announced at the May 2026 Reunion.
More information will be posted on the Events Page of our website in the near future.
If you are interested in donating towards the 2026 and future scholarship funding, please contact Mike Smith at michael_smith@yahoo.com.
2026 Snowbird Reunion
Florida Chapter - 1010st Airborne Division Association Reunion
If you can't wait until May, the Snowbird Reunion will be held February 18 to 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida.
2026 Elections |
The 2026 Rakkasan Association Election process has begun and includes two phases:
Nomination & Declaration Phase – November 24, 2025 to January 2, 2026.
Election Phase – January 15, 2026 to February 27, 2026.
Positions open in the 2026 election process:
Vice-President
Secretary
Board Positions 6
Board Position 8
Terms are for two (2) years.
For additional information, please go to the Elections Page on our website.
FundraiserS |
3/187th Memorial Stone Fundraiser
Vietnam 1968-1971
Rakkasan Alumni, the 3-187 Infantry is requesting your support to replace our Vietnam KIA Memorial Stone. The current stone contains the names of all the 1968 KIAs and has broken into several pieces. To honor all the Iron Rakkasan KIA from Vietnam, we are proposing an expanded memorial that includes all 252 KIA from ’68-’71. The stone will be upright and will list the KIA by year. It will sit on a rough-cut piece of quartz. It will be placed behind the Battalion headquarters underneath our Iron Torii. The area is used for Battalion formations, promotions, and award ceremonies. This area is significant as the gathering place for all Soldiers in the Battalion because it contains our parade field, Torii monument, and GWOT KIA memorial. This memorial is part of a broader effort to memorialize the Iron Battalion KIA from all conflicts we have participated in. The estimated cost for this memorial is $14,680. Any amount you are willing to donate will be greatly appreciated by the current and former members of the Iron Rakkasans. Thanks for your support!
40% of the funds have been raised to date. Let's help the Battalion raise the remaining 60%.
dates in rakkasan history |
December 1943
Knollwood Maneuvers
By mid-1943, the fate of American airborne divisions was uncertain due to mixed results from previous operations. General Eisenhower proposed reorganizing these division into regimental combat teams. Before disbanding the airborne units, Army Chief of Staff George Marshall ordered a large-scale airborne maneuver to test their viability. Major General Joseph Swing of the 11th Airborne (at Camp Mackall) was tasked with developing this test operation. After planning and extensive training, soldiers moved to departure fields in the Carolinas. Despite weather delays, they launched on December 7, achieving near-perfect landings and capturing objectives like Knollwood Army Auxiliary Airport. Over five days, they demonstrated their effectiveness in simulated warfare. Their successful return to Camp Mackall confirmed the future of airborne units, ensuring their continuation.
December 1967
Republic of Vietnam - Deployment - Operation Eagle Thrust
In December of 1967, the 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division completed their deployment to the Republic of Vietnam. A few days after arriving at Bien Hoa, the 3rd Brigade moved into Phuoc Vinh Basecamp, north of the Bien Hoa-Long Binh military complex. Their objective was to disrupt NVA/VC operations, basecamps, and infiltration routes in and through Warzone D and the area north of Bien Hoa, Long Binh, and Saigon.
December 1971
Republic of Vietnam - Redeployment
In November of 1971, the Rakkasans had ceased combat operations in the Republic of Vietnam and began packing up Camp Evans. Soldiers who still had time on their tours were transferred to other units still operating in Vietnam, while other soldiers were sent stateside to complete their Army service.
3rd Battalion, 187th Regimental Colors returned to FT Campbell in December of 1971.
December 1990
Desert Shield - TF Air Assault
In early December 1990, the 3rd Brigade moved into AO Normandy and started training for offensive operations. From December 5 to December 27, the brigade focused on offensive scenarios, emphasizing air assaults behind enemy lines and coordination with converging friendly units. A significant portion of this training took place in an abandoned village called Ayn Quaswan, also known as 'Q' town. (From the book - The Rakkasans - 187th, The Steel Berets.
OEF/OIF/Global War on Terror
If you're interested in helping us gather important dates and events connected to the Rakkasans' numerous deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq, please contact us. Beginning in 2026, we will include post-Desert Storm dates in this section of the e-newsletter, and we appreciate your contributions.
chapter news |
Torrii Chapter
Based out of Clarksville, TN but accepts members from other areas.
President: Dave Reilly
Vice President: Louie Lee
Treasurer: CSM (Ret) Chuck Judd
Secretary: Sheila Patton
For information on the Chapter please email toriichapter@outlook.com.
Buckeye Chapter
Based out of Delaware, Ohio
President: Scott Hutmire
Treasurer: Hunter Everett
Meets at the VFW Reed Miller Post #3297
For additional information on the Chapter please email michael_smith672@yahoo.com.
Hamburger Hill Chapter
President: Bob Harkins
Vice President: Charlie Ricord
Secretary: Greg West
Treasurer: Mike Smith
Meets annually during the Hamburger Hill Chapter Reunion.
contact us/contribute |
Monthly E-Newsletters
If you have news or events that you would like to feature in future e-newsletters, please reach out to us. We welcome submissions of short stories about your experiences with the Rakkasans, information on important dates in Rakkasan history, the significance of staying connected, or other topics pertinent to the Rakkasan legacy, both past and present.
Photos & Memorabilia
If you have photos, memorabilia - either your own or a family member (father, grandfather, uncle, etc.) - that you would like to share with the Rakkasan Association, please reach out to us.
until next time - let valor not fail |
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