William Jefferson Fayettville Observer article

Dead airman started career as a Marine

The Pope Air Force Base special operations airman killed last week in Afghanistan started his military career as a Marine and taught an elite military course for special operations airmen.

Tech. Sgt. William Jefferson Jr. was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron — part of the Air Force’s Special Operations Command — when he was killed Saturday near Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan. Jefferson died after his vehicle struck a homemade bomb.

Jefferson, who was 34, enlisted in the Marines in 1992. Four years later, in 1996, he enlisted in the Air Force. Jefferson completed the Combat Control courses and was stationed at Pope with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron.

Stealth deployment

Combat controllers are trained to deploy undetected into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields, according to the Air Force. At the same time, they are responsible for air traffic control, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance and other duties in a combat arena.

Jefferson spent almost five years as part of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron’s silver team before moving to the squadron’s Integrated Survey Program Office as an expert surveyor.

He spent two years in that position and then was selected to become an instructor at the Combat Control School at Pope. The school is a 13-week program that provides final combat controller qualifications.

Jefferson returned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron’s operations staff in 2006 as head of exercise and plans responsible for all Joint Force Entry Exercises. He deployed in October 2006 to Iraq.

In September 2007, Jefferson received distinguished graduate honors from the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

He deployed again in January 2008 as part of a unit conducting operations in Afghanistan.

During his career, Jefferson was awarded the Bronze Star medal, the Purple Heart, Air Force Commendation Medal with Valor and the Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

A memorial has been planned for 10 a.m. today (26 Apr 08) at Pope.