REDHORSE Association PO Box 8 Westminster,
CO80036-0008 912-396-1359
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An Association of Past and Present Members of Prime BEEF and RED HORSE
"Let's make us greater, together"
The REDHORSE Association was formed in 2001 as it was determined there was a need for all USAF Combat Civil Engineers to remain in touch, re-establish old friendships, create new ones, perpetuate our spirit and traditions, represent the interests, provide a fraternal atmosphere, encourage social interaction, develop a scholarship fund and support our members in their time of need.
Our Missionis to increase awareness of the USAF Combat Civil Engineers accomplishments and tradition of excellence past and present during war and peace time with the American populace, preserve our proud heritage, share our legacy and to foster strong and mutually beneficial relationships among government, educational and civic leaders. It is our desire to be a significant force of support towards the USAF CE strategic mission, to be able to contribute to the over all morale and enhance the welfare of our profession.
We are a non-profit, tax exempt, non-commercial professional military association that exists to support, promote and develop the interests of all past, present, Active, AFRC and ANG USAF Combat Civil Engineer professionals.
Membership applications are available on this web site (the second red tab on the top left of this page) or feel free to contact us for more information.
by Capt. Nathan D. Broshear
12th Air Force (Air Forces Southern) Public Affairs
2/22/2010 - PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Engineers
from the 190th Air Refueling Wing and 184th Intelligence Wing, Kansas
Air National Guard, were conducting a routine survey of the field
adjacent to the airport in Port-au-Prince, Haiti when they discovered a
group of Airmen had been there before.
While leveling the field, Airmen noticed the words "820 RHS 94 95 96"
on an enormous concrete block. The podium shaped block was so large
engineers driving earthmovers left it in the center of the newly formed
24th Air Expeditionary Group encampment.
"Discovering this was a complete surprise to me," said Col. Dan
Courtois, the 24th Air Expeditionary Group commander. "It's a good
feeling to know we are following in the footsteps of other Airmen who
have helped the people of Haiti."
Civil engineers from the 118th Airlift
Wing and the 134th Air Refueling Squadron, Tennessee Air National
Guard, also helped to erect the Air Force encampment. "It must be an
ideal location for an encampment, because our engineers and the RED
HORSE teams chose the exact same spot," Colonel Courtois said.
The 36-inch-wide, 45-inch-tall block of concrete is weathered, but
shows hardly a scratch given its age. At one time, it's believed to
have been topped with metal horseshoes and the iconic RED HORSE emblem,
now just faint imprints. In Haiti, metal is often scavenged from old
buildings, debris or abandoned construction sites and sold as scrap to
feed needy families.
Historical documents indicate the 820th RED HORSE squadron, was at the
site in 1994 and 1995 during Operation Uphold Democracy. During the
peacekeeping and nation-building operation, RED HORSE built a camp for
1,500 military members, repaired roads between the airport and nearby
seaports and built a drainage system for the airport.
Late 1995 through early 1996 saw the return of the 820th RHS for
Exercise Fairwinds. During the exercise engineers renovated a hospital,
repaired roads and a school in Port-au-Prince.
Today, Airmen of the 24th AEG are helping to keep air traffic and cargo
flowing into Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport, assisting in
the distribution of food, water and aid supplies, providing medical
care to injured Haitians, and assisting in cleanup and recovery
efforts.
Tech. Sgt. Ron Saults, 24th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Power
Production NCO in charge deployed from the 134th ARW, was in Haiti with
the RED HORSE team in 1994 and 1995. Sergeant Saults remembers the
now-destroyed presidential palace and many of the sites he visited
while working in Haiti on his first trip to the country more than 15
years ago. During his deployment, the then-staff sergeant provided
power to Army and Air Force units just as he does for Operation Unified
Response. But in 1995, it took a bit longer to receive the amenities
Airmen enjoy today.
"It took more than three months for our team to receive air
conditioning -- today we have A/C immediately," Sergeant Saults said.
"Our unit traveled around the country in convoys repairing schools and
visiting orphanages, in many ways, Haiti is still the same place I
remember -- I half expected to see a Haitian Airways C-47 sitting on
the ramp when I got off the plane."
For now, the concrete reminder of U.S. Air Force history marks the edge
of a parking area and a new row of tents for the growing AEG. Airmen
walk past the block as they board buses bound for rubble removal sites,
medical facilities or head for the flight line to unload aircraft full
of relief supplies. Like the stalwart stone, Airmen are a friend that
can be counted on, says the commander.
"The Air Force is again in Haiti to assist the people in a time of need
-- and we'll be here as long as the joint task force needs us," Colonel
Courtois said.
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