Sheppard hosts Red Horse Vietnam Vets

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Jacqueline Jastrzebski
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

The 555th Red Horse Squadron Vietnam Veterans Reunion group visited Sheppard Air Force Base, July 21, 2017, to receive a tour of the 366th Training Squadron’s civil engineering technical training facility.

Team Sheppard and the city of Wichita Falls facilitated a base visit for 26 veterans and their family members that brought back memories for many of the visitors. Approximately half of these Red Horse veterans completed their technical training at Sheppard AFB during the 1950s. They noted how much the base has changed over the years.

The group had the opportunity to speak with Airmen who are currently students in the schoolhouse as well as the instructors who train them. Stories were told and laughs were shared as the veterans stood in awe of the air conditioned facility.

During the tour, the group attended a Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Apprentice Course graduation ceremony. Both the veterans and the newly graduated Airmen were overcome with appreciation for each other’s service.

The graduation ceremony concluded with the reciting of the Airman’s Creed and the singing of the Air Force Song. During those moments, nearly 70 years of airpower came together to display their devotion to the Air Force and our country.

The visit ended with a tour around base in a trolley provided by the city of Wichita Falls. The partnership between Sheppard AFB and the city allow us to continuously honor those who came before us.

The 555th Red Horse Squadron was one of the first civil engineering squadrons to arrive in Vietnam during the war. The unit is responsible for the construction of troop housing, roads, utilities, runways and much more of the infrastructure that supported the U.S. throughout the war.