RIPPLE SALVO… #285… of the RED RIVER VALLEY FIGHTER PILOTS ASSOCIATION… but first…
Good Morning: Day TWO HUNDRED EIGHTY-FIVE of a day to day return to yesteryear and the war over the Red River Valley…
12 DECEMBER 1966…HOME TOWN HEAD LINES from the New York Times on a fair and fine Monday in the shopping districts of NYC…
Page 1: “Arabs Vote To Put Troops in Jordan to Face Israelis” … “Iraqis and Saudis named but Hussein of Jordan refuses to allow the PLO liberation army in. The Arab League’s defense council last night forced Jordan to join in a unanimous decision providing for Iraq and Saudi Arabian troops to enter Jordan in accordance with earlier plans by the Arabs Unified Military Command within two months. But Jordan rejected all demands by the Palestine Libertion Organization for its troops to enter Jordan or ‘take up positions on the front line against Israel.’…”… Page 1: “U.S. Said to Weigh Release of Prisoners of War”… “Madrid, Spain hears of Washngton plan to free the few prisoners it holds who are sick and wounded. U.S. considering a unilateral release of a handful of North Vietnamese prisoners under its control. Subject came up during Averell Harriman’s visit to Algiers. U.S. holds 17 captured from NVN PT-boats.” … Page 1: “Navy is Seeking to Widen Attacks on North Vietnam coastal shipping and expand role in shore bombardment. Air attacks on roads and btridges have forced North Vietnam to use the sea as a supply route. Two destroyers now go further north to 78 miles above the demilitarized zone and buffer from the original limit of 39 miles. The destroyers are limited to firing only if fired upon from the shore.” … Page 1: “Defense Spending Expected to Slow its Rise Next Year”… “Reduction in major stimulus to economy expected to lessen inflationary pressures. Tax decision to follow. Although defense spending will continue to rise in calendar year 1967, the rise will be far less than 1966. The picture implies less economic stimulus from defense spending, hence less inflationary pressure and less chance the President will raise taxes.”…
Page 2: “Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp in Hawaii says Thai Insurgency is Growing upon his return from tour of four countries in Asia yesterday. Also, Communist infiltration in Northeast Thailand is increasing. ‘Insurgency has stepped up recently but Thai forces are quite capable of handling it,’ he said, ‘and U.S. forces were there in an advisory capacity.’…Page 11: “New Booby Traps Maul U.S. Copters”… “Vietcong devices are exploded by downdraft of helicopters. Devices at first glance look like thin sticks standing in the tall elephant grass. The downwash knocks the sticks over which in turn detonates a directed explosive charge powerful enough to blow the craft apart. All part of tactics to fight back aagainst effectiveness and advantages of helicopter operations.”
12 December 1966…The President’s Daily Brief…CIA (TS sanitized) Entire section on Vietnam and North Vietnam is still classified. COMMUNIST CHINA: Peking is urgently seeking wheat supplies. The need for food imports is greater than any time since 1962 (4 years ago). The Chinese have already contracted for the maximum amount allowed annually under the terms of its three year agreement with Canada. In addition, Argentina has been asked to sell to China any amount it can spare. Even with these imports, food rations for the Chinese will decline. In at least one province, authorities expect food distribution will “encounter resistance.” SOVIET UNION: The central committee of the Soviet party has been convened for a review of policy, particularly the sharpening political offensive against China. The Soviet leadership probably intends to produce a display of domestic unanimity on the China question to add impetus to its push for an international Communist conference.
12 DECEMBER 1966… OPERATION ROLLING THUNDER…New York Times devoid of coverge of air war in North… “Vietnam: Air Losses” (Hobson) There were no fixed wing losses in Southeast Asia on 12 December 1966… ooohrah…
RIPPLE SALVO… #285… The Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Assoiciation’s weekly “RATNET Digest” arriving here on the mountain last night includes the following from CINC Rat “Hoser”… Headline: “Marine FA-18 Fatality”… I quote…
This week we lost Marine Captain Jake Frederick in a training accident off the coast of Jaan. His squadron is forward depoyed to MCAS Iwakuni; he leaves behind his expecting wife Kily and their young son. The River Rats and AWCF (AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION) engaged immediately and are in contqct with the MCAS Beaufort CACO to offer our assistance, expect updates in future ratNet Digests.
Every time we are called upon to reach out to surviving familes of Great Americans such as Jake, I am reminded of how fortunate we are. fotunate to have survived when so many did not, fortunate for the great sacrifices made by others so that we can live in peace, fortunate to have been graced by knowing those lost Great Americans, and most fortunate of all that we are able to at least try to pay back the debt we owe them all. god bless them all. end quote…
AIR WARRIOR COURAGE FOUNDATION: “Where Camaraderie and Caring Continue.”
http://www.airwarriorcourage.com/donations.html
The Red River Rats have undertaken a noble cause and created a non-profit that serves the families of fallen warriors. As you can see from Hoser’s note, AWCF and the River Rats walk the talk…
Hoser: Check for AWCF is in the mail to Jerry Knotts, 261 Fox Ridge Drive, Thousand Oaks, CA 91361
Lest we forget… Bear -30-