September News!
- Theresa Scheets
- Sep 5
- 8 min read
A Short Note From the Association President
Bronze Statues & Sculptures
3rd Brigade News
2025 Reunions
3/187th Fundraiser
Dates in Rakkasan History
Chapter News
Contact Us
Hello fellow Rakkasans,
Another month has zipped by. Several of us wrapped up August, 2025 at the 101st Airborne Division Association Reunion in Orlando, FL. Many thanks to the Rakkasans, friends and family that attended. A special thank you to COL Bell, RAK6, and CSM Acton, RAK7, for attending. We are deeply grateful for RAK6's presentation and update on the Regiment. Great things are occurring at FT. Campbell, KY.
The Association has finalized the dates for the 46th Annual Rakkasan Association Reunion. This reunion will be held in Clarksville, TN and FT Campbell, KY from May 13, 2026, to May 17, 2026. Plans are in the works to make this a memorable occasion. We will be honoring the 57th Anniversary of the Battle for Dong Ap Bia and the 35th Anniversary of Desert Storm. Additional activities specific to Desert Storm may extend through May 21, 2026. More details to come in the months ahead. For now, block off those dates on your calendar. Start calling your Rakkasan buddies, find the ones you haven't spoken to in a while and reconnect. I hope to see you all there.
In last month's e-newsletter, we began to highlight the Bronze Statues that were donated to the Division and the Pratt Museum. This month we highlight "Chuted Up" and "Airborne History".
LVNF
Bob
Next time you are in Division Headquarters or the Brigade DFAC, pause by each statue and take a moment to reflect on our shared legacy.
"Chuted Up"
Located in Division Headquarters at the top of stairs in the north stairwell.
"This sculpture depicts the paratrooper of the World War II era just prior to boarding his aircraft for a combat mission. His back, though burdened with the weight of the equipment, is not bent! And his stance is firm and confident. He is more than ready to embark on the mission and to meet his foe with courage and determination. The sculpture was made by Bill Porteous and donated by Dr. C.W. Flevares."
"Airborne History"
Located in the 3rd Brigade Dining Facility, near the windows in the small dining room.
A MESSAGE FROM RAK 6
Rakkasans!
The Brigade continues its hard work, moving forward in our training. In August, we completed Operation Hard Knox at Fort Knox, building our skills at the squad and platoon level. It's in these training events that we see the best our Regiment has to offer. The lethality, aggression and discipline demonstrated at the small-unit level comes alive in our hardest moments. As you know, platoon live fires are a grueling experience for a company. We expect our formation to train to mastery, but some go a step further. During our recent training, one platoon from Bulldog Company, 1st Battalion, did just that. Before the order was given to attack and secure a trench, each Soldier fixed their bayonet. They entered the trench and, on their own initiative, engaged targets with both live rounds and bayonets.
Angel Company, 3rd Battalion, conducted offensive and defensive situational training at Fort Knox. To make the training as realistic as possible, the company dug a trench, 3 feet deep and 125 feet long, and reinforced with sandbags to simulate a deliberate defense. Each platoon was able to run a mission from both defensive and offensive perspectives. Angel Company utilized Ultimate Training Munition (UTM) rounds, which gave soldiers immediate feedback on accuracy and demonstrated that their fighting positions worked effectively when built to standard. Angel Company even hosted future Army Leaders through the Cadet Troop Leader Training program, who got their hands dirty digging the trench and training alongside the Soldiers.
All around the Brigade, the work was getting done at Fort Knox. The Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company (MFRC) was out there conducting night-time Low-Cost, Low-Altitude (LCLA) drops from CH-47s to practice resupply in hostile areas. At the same time, the Brigade's Samurai Company (HHC) was on the range, getting back to the fundamentals and qualifying on the M4.
Looking ahead, our focus for September is training here at Fort Campbell for Operation Tagaytay Ridge. This exercise is a critical step in preparing the Regiment for ground combat. We will continue to build our skills through platoon and company lanes focused on air assaults. This progression is a direct result of our commitment to being brilliant at the basics at every echelon. Mastery of our craft—including patrolling, night operations, and battle drills—is the standard we are holding ourselves to.
Our training progression is further enhanced by focusing on emerging technology through the Army’s Transformation in Contact (TiC) initiatives. We are actively bringing in new systems, such as the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV), M7 rifle, which replaces the M4, and M250 light machine gun, which replaces the M249, to ensure our forces are prepared for the challenges of modern warfare. We are also using AI-enabled software to help our commanders in real-time wargaming with a predictive modeling tool. We will continue to adapt and innovate for success on future battlefields.
Proficiency is fundamental to our operational readiness. By mastering the basics, we can transition to more complex operations while refining our ability to operate with minimal resources. This strong foundation allows us to rapidly coordinate, bring targeted violence to bear, and relentlessly prepare for the next fight.
Let Valor Not Fail!
COL Ryan Bell
RAK6
101t Airborne Division Association Reunion
The 2025 101st Airborne Division Reunion is a wrap. It was a great event! Thank you to all who attended.
2026 National Rakkasan Association/Hamburger Hill Chapter Reunion - 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 FT Campbell, KY.
If you are interested in donating towards the 2026 and future scholarship funding, please contact Mike Smith at michael_smith@yahoo.com.
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!
September 1950
On September 6th and 7th of 1950, the main body of 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team, left San Francisco Bay on the USNS Heintzelman and the USNS Anderson. Their initial destination was Japan. The 187th advance party had left the US earlier in September, flying into Japan where they set up a temporary command post at Camp Wood. A few days after the main body arrived, the 187th RCT moved to Kimpo Airfield in Korea, followed by a landing at the Inchon Beachhead where it joined the fight against the North Korean forces.
“On 22 September, the 187th Airborne began arriving at the Inchon beachhead area after landing at Kimpo Airfield from Japan. The 3rd Bn. 187th went into battle quickly. With elements of the 5th Marines and 7th Infantry Division attacking west from the Kimpo Peninsula, the 187th swung directly north attacking up the Kimpo Peninsula between the Han River and the Yellow Sea. Intelligence estimated that enemy strength on the peninsula was over 3,000 NKPA troops of the 31st, 32nd and 33rd Battalions of the 107th Security Regiment.” Quote from page 47 of “The Rakkasans, 187th - The Steel Berets”, by Fred Waterhouse.
Through the end of September, the 187th continued the fight to clear the Kimpo Peninsula. On September 29, 1950 the South Korea government returned to Seoul and by early October of 1950 the Rakkasans transitioned into a short period of training and preparation for their next combat operation. Although the 187th suffered one paratrooper killed in early September while in Japan, their first killed in combat action in Korea occurred during their push north along the Kimpo Peninsula.
Article was originally published in the September 30, 1950 edition of the Pacific Stars & Stripes.
September 1968
On September 5, 1968, Alpha Company, Delta Company and one platoon of Charlie Company of the 3/187th were inserted as a blocking force in an eight-company cordon around a village in which a large number of VC/NVA soldiers were believed to be located. In the early morning hours of September 6, 1968, the Alpha Company positions were overrun. The following day, the 3/187th conducted a series of Eagle Flights in search of the enemy forces, resulting in additional battles on the 7th and into the early morning hours of the 8th. These actions resulted in the loss of forty-one Rakkasans killed in action, but September 1968 wasn't over. By the end of September, a total of fifty soldiers from the 3/187th paid the ultimate price during combat operations in Hau Nghia and Tay Ninh Provinces. Their actions contributed to the award of the Presidential Unit Citation to the Regiment.
Information obtained from The Steel Thread Project. Article originally published in the September 7, 1968 edition of The Courier Journal, Louisville, KY.
September 1990
In early September of 1990, the advance party and shortly thereafter, the main body of 3rd Brigade flew to Dharan International Airport in Saudi Arabia, followed by a move north to the King Fahd International Airport where the 101st Airborne Division established Camp Eagle II…better known as Tent City.
“After arriving in Dharan, the Rakkasans along with other units of the 101st moved north about 40 miles and established Camp Eagle II. This would become a huge tent city for the Air Assault Troops. The camp was located inside King Fahd International Airport complex, parts of which were still under construction. The mission for the Rakkasan Brigade at Camp Eagle II was to acclimate the soldiers to the desert, link-up with equipment, and plan for follow-on defensive operations." Quote from page 150 of “The Rakkasans, 187th - The Steel Berets”, by Fred Waterhouse.
Article was originally published in the September 7, 1990 edition of the Pacific Stars and Stripes.
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
Attention Buckeyes - The next Chapter Meeting is scheduled for October 11, 2025. Meeting starts at 12:00 Noon. Lunch will be pulled pork.
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.
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.
