Hi All,
I would like to pass on the word that John Norsworthy will be buried at Arlington Cemetery, Washington DC on August 2, 2007. The service will start at 0830.
Thanks...........Emmet
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Gen. Wayne Downing Passing
Retired four-star Gen. Wayne Downing, the former commander of the country’s Special Forces and the president’s point man for counterterrorism in the days after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, died Tuesday evening after a bout with meningitis, news outlets are reporting. (Peoria Journal Star 07/18/07)
Subject: RE: Gen Downing remarks
Thoughts:
-- a soldier's soldier.
-- former 3rd Rgr BN Cdr, Rgt Cdr, JSOC Cdr, SOCOM Cdr
-- REAL fast burner...started '90s as 1 star, retired from SOCOM in '98as 4 star.
-- Chief Lampe's first boss.
-- Had a great deal of interaction and thought very highly of CCT/ST...was instrumental in getting CCT into the fight in fmr Yugoslavia (Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR, Dec '96) as JTACs...one could ask the question, had it not been for our involvement there, would we have been as involved in subsequent OEF/OIF.
-- A big and sudden loss to the entire SOF community.
MF
Subject: RE: Gen Downing remarks
Thoughts:
-- a soldier's soldier.
-- former 3rd Rgr BN Cdr, Rgt Cdr, JSOC Cdr, SOCOM Cdr
-- REAL fast burner...started '90s as 1 star, retired from SOCOM in '98as 4 star.
-- Chief Lampe's first boss.
-- Had a great deal of interaction and thought very highly of CCT/ST...was instrumental in getting CCT into the fight in fmr Yugoslavia (Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR, Dec '96) as JTACs...one could ask the question, had it not been for our involvement there, would we have been as involved in subsequent OEF/OIF.
-- A big and sudden loss to the entire SOF community.
MF
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Condition of Randy Dykes
All,
Wanted to get the word out on Randy Dykes. Randy underwent open heart surgery on 25th of June. He had a valve replaced through open heart surgery at UNC Chapel Hill.
All went well with the procedure. Then...
Randy's younger brother died 4 days later, and being stubborn like the rest of us, he checked himself out, drove to Mississippi for the funeral, and then collapsed on the way back. He is currently in intensive care at UNC.
Keep him in your prayers
James D. Cote
Director of Business Development
Phoenix Global Technology
Wanted to get the word out on Randy Dykes. Randy underwent open heart surgery on 25th of June. He had a valve replaced through open heart surgery at UNC Chapel Hill.
All went well with the procedure. Then...
Randy's younger brother died 4 days later, and being stubborn like the rest of us, he checked himself out, drove to Mississippi for the funeral, and then collapsed on the way back. He is currently in intensive care at UNC.
Keep him in your prayers
James D. Cote
Director of Business Development
Phoenix Global Technology
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Transformers Movie
These links are to stories about the Transformers Movie. This movie has a guy who portrays a Combat Controller.
http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123021474
www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/07/airforce_transformers_movie_070702/
http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123021474
www.airforcetimes.com/news/2007/07/airforce_transformers_movie_070702/
Monday, July 2, 2007
CCA REUNION 2007
It’s that time again!
Join Us At The Combat Control Association’s Reunion!
This year there’s an award presentation, a Show & Tell, a BBQ, a golf tournament, a memorial, a business meeting, and a banquet. And of course, the hospitality room and country store will be up and running. It all begins on Halloween.
There is plenty of “socializing” time in the schedule so groups can get together to do something like lunch, dinner or a side-trip. It’s up to each group to plan and organize their own mini-event but we’ll try to help as much as we can. Just tell us what the plan is and who your POC will be.
STO/CCT of the Year Award Ceremony
The opening event for this year’s reunion will be the official presentation of the 2006 USAF Outstanding Special Tactics Officer/Combat Controller Awards. The ceremony is to take place in the Fresques Auditorium on Thursday morning at the Crate Advanced Skills Training Center on Hurlburt Field.
Special Tactics Officer
Captain Stewart Parker, 21 STS
Senior NCO
MSgt Anthony Baldwin, 24 STS
NCO
TSgt Richard Jaillett, 24 STS
Airman
SrA Daniel Adams, 321 STS
Advanced Skills Training Display
The award ceremony will be followed by an update on ST equipment and techniques at the Crate Center. Come see the latest gadgets & toys being used by CCT and tour the new AST compound and facilities.
CCA Barbeque
After you’ve been impressed by the men and equipment at AST, we’re having a barbeque at the Hurlburt Picnic Area, located on the south side of Hwy 98 across from the end of the Hurlburt runway. You don’t have to sign on the base to go to the barbeque. The hospitality suite and registration will be temporarily relocated to the picnic area during this event
The rest of Thursday is yours to socialize, shop, or just wander the beach.
CCA Golf Tournament
The tournament kicks off bright and early Friday at the Gator Lakes Golf Course on Hurlburt. It will be a best-ball, four-man team event using a modified shot-gun start. The tournament will be followed by a buffet for the golfers at the course Club House.
If you’re not a golfer then Friday is yours. The hospitality suite will be open starting around noon. And there are plenty of things to see & do in the Ft Walton Beach/Destin/Pensacola area.
CCA Memorial
Saturday starts with the CCA Memorial at the Hurlburt Air Park on Hurlburt Field at 1000. The speaker will be Colonel Marc Stratton, CCA Life Member and Commander of the 720th Special Tactics Group.
Annual Association Business Meeting
At 1300 on Saturday, the annual business meeting takes place at the Ramada. It is regular members only and the doors will shut at 1255. So get there early please.
CCA Banquet
The Reunion Banquet on Saturday begins with a pay-as-you-go cocktail hour starting at 1730 at the Ramada. The Banquet starts promptly at 1830. It’s a buffet style meal again this year with a variety of items sure to meet everyone’s tastes
Reunion Site
Ramada Plaza Beach Resort on Okaloosa Island
1500 Miracle Strip Parkway
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32548
To reserve a room for the reunion you must call the Ramada direct and make your own reservations.
The Reunion Banquet on Saturday begins with a pay-as-you-go cocktail hour starting at 1730 at the Ramada. The Banquet starts promptly at 1830. It’s a buffet style meal again this year with a variety of items sure to meet everyone’s tastes
Reunion Site
Ramada Plaza Beach Resort on Okaloosa Island
1500 Miracle Strip Parkway
Ft. Walton Beach, Florida 32548
To reserve a room for the reunion you must call the Ramada direct and make your own reservations.
The phone numbers are:
800-874-8962 Toll-Free Registration
850-243-9161 Local (During business hrs)
We have group rates again this year. Indicate you are with the CCA group to get the preferred rate. It is important you reserve your room in this block so we get credit toward our agreement with the hotel.
To get the preferred rate your reservations must be made by October 1, 2007
Payment information from the hotel:
All reservations must be guaranteed by credit card, which will be charged immediately. Individual reservations may be cancelled without penalty up to 72 hours prior to 4:00 pm on the date of arrival.
Payment at checkout can be made in the form of credit card, cash or travelers checks. Personal checks will not be accepted for final payment.
Transportation
Fly into Ft Walton Beach or Pensacola. It’s an hour or so drive to the hotel from Pensacola or 30 minutes from the Okaloosa Regional Airport. Rental cars are readily available at both.
If you aren’t active duty or a retiree you will need to be signed on the base at Hurlburt for the three reunion events being held there. Just let us know and we’ll make arrangements to get you on base.
Hospitality Suite Donations
Donations will gladly be accepted before-hand or in the hospitality suite for the “Buy a Keg for Your Comrades” fund that helps with the cost of the refreshments being served.
The Reunion Fee
There’s always some confusion about who pays the reunion fee and what it is used for. The fee applies to all (members, non-members, and their guests) who attend any of the reunion festivities. It is used to help cover the administrative costs of putting on the reunion, not to buy the refreshments. It’s not a donation. So, even if all you plan to do during the reunion is hang out at the hospitality suite or play in the golf tournament, you still have to stop at registration, sign up, and pay the fee.
Reunion Schedule
(Start times are still subject to change)
Wednesday – 31 October 2007 - Arrival Day
1200 – Registration Opens
Country Store Open Wednesday through Saturday
Thursday - 1 November 2007
1000 – USAF CCT OTY Presentation – CASTC
1130 – Special Tactics Display & Brief – CASTC
1300 – CCA Barbeque – Hurlburt Picnic Area
Cost: $12 per person
Hospitality Suite Open Thursday through Saturday
Friday - 2 November 2007
0800 – Golf Tournament – Gator Lakes Course
Cost: $45 per person (includes Buffet)
Saturday - 3 November 2007
1000 – CCT Memorial Service – Air Commando
Airpark
1300 – CCA Business Meeting – Ramada Inn
1730 – Cocktail hour – Ramada Inn
Pay as you go bar
1830 – CCA Banquet – Ramada Inn
Cost: $45 per person
Sunday - 4 November 2007 - Departure Day
800-874-8962 Toll-Free Registration
850-243-9161 Local (During business hrs)
We have group rates again this year. Indicate you are with the CCA group to get the preferred rate. It is important you reserve your room in this block so we get credit toward our agreement with the hotel.
To get the preferred rate your reservations must be made by October 1, 2007
Payment information from the hotel:
All reservations must be guaranteed by credit card, which will be charged immediately. Individual reservations may be cancelled without penalty up to 72 hours prior to 4:00 pm on the date of arrival.
Payment at checkout can be made in the form of credit card, cash or travelers checks. Personal checks will not be accepted for final payment.
Transportation
Fly into Ft Walton Beach or Pensacola. It’s an hour or so drive to the hotel from Pensacola or 30 minutes from the Okaloosa Regional Airport. Rental cars are readily available at both.
If you aren’t active duty or a retiree you will need to be signed on the base at Hurlburt for the three reunion events being held there. Just let us know and we’ll make arrangements to get you on base.
Hospitality Suite Donations
Donations will gladly be accepted before-hand or in the hospitality suite for the “Buy a Keg for Your Comrades” fund that helps with the cost of the refreshments being served.
The Reunion Fee
There’s always some confusion about who pays the reunion fee and what it is used for. The fee applies to all (members, non-members, and their guests) who attend any of the reunion festivities. It is used to help cover the administrative costs of putting on the reunion, not to buy the refreshments. It’s not a donation. So, even if all you plan to do during the reunion is hang out at the hospitality suite or play in the golf tournament, you still have to stop at registration, sign up, and pay the fee.
Reunion Schedule
(Start times are still subject to change)
Wednesday – 31 October 2007 - Arrival Day
1200 – Registration Opens
Country Store Open Wednesday through Saturday
Thursday - 1 November 2007
1000 – USAF CCT OTY Presentation – CASTC
1130 – Special Tactics Display & Brief – CASTC
1300 – CCA Barbeque – Hurlburt Picnic Area
Cost: $12 per person
Hospitality Suite Open Thursday through Saturday
Friday - 2 November 2007
0800 – Golf Tournament – Gator Lakes Course
Cost: $45 per person (includes Buffet)
Saturday - 3 November 2007
1000 – CCT Memorial Service – Air Commando
Airpark
1300 – CCA Business Meeting – Ramada Inn
1730 – Cocktail hour – Ramada Inn
Pay as you go bar
1830 – CCA Banquet – Ramada Inn
Cost: $45 per person
Sunday - 4 November 2007 - Departure Day