Colonel Poné, an F-16 pilot, was a former 510th Fighter Squadron commander at Aviano Air Base located at the base of the Dolomites at the northern end of the Po Valley. He was killed in a traffic accident on his way to work Jan. 20.
Anyone interested in contributing to the scholarship savings account can go online to the Air Warrior Courage Foundation at www.AirWarriorCourage.org/donations.html to find the donation link. Be sure to designate the Poné Family with your tax-deductible donation.
To learn more about the Red River Valley Fighter Pilots Association, or River Rats as the members call themselves, go to: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=801.
The CAOC5 staff created a memorial page within the www.caoc5.nato.int public Website. When the site launches, click on nations, then USA to get to the memorial page. A memorial page called (Adrian "Kermit" Poné) has also been put on the Aviano Air Base Facebook site for anyone that wishes to send their condolences to the family. Condolence messages can also mailed to the Poné Family by sending them to: Cheryl Poné, CMR 427 Box 454, APO AE, 09630.