Winner of 2 Silver Stars: 'You can't call a timeout in a war zone'

Military: 11 airmen given medals - including 3 silver stars - for bravery


Machine gun rounds flew all around him from 30 feet away. He sprinted through the fire to a position from which he could attack. He shot a rocket-propelled grenade into a room occupied by Taliban fighters.

And when that didn’t clear them out, Air Force Staff Sgt. Sean Harvell dodged the gunfire again, covering his team as he went.

Then he called in airstrikes that reportedly killed more than 50 insurgents in Central Afghanistan’s Helmand River area.


Read more: http://www.theolympian.com/2010/04/30/1223501/winner-of-2-silver-stars-you-cant.html#ixzz0mbdMv1Oe



You tube link to ceremony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoJzZtIyQQs&feature=player_embedded

Award Winner - 2009 AFSOC STO & CCT

Please pass on your congratulations to the below members for being selected
as Special Tactics Officer & Combat Controllers of the Year (2009)

CAPT MARK MCGILL 24 STS, POPE AFB NC

MSGT SCOTT A. INNIS STTS, HURLBURT FIELD FL

SSGT ROBERT K. O'CONNOR 24 STS, POPE AFB NC

SRA JEREMY W. KING 320 STS, KADENA AB JAPAN

4th Annual NW Loop/Special Operations Warrior Foundation Fund Raising Ride

I hope the following catches you in good spirits and health. Summer is fast approaching and schedules need to be made. I hope that you will make an effort to participate in our annual ride through the great northwest. 22-24 July 2010


Below is the web page for all the information that you will need to come with us this year to have some incredible fun and amazing riding. Even if you don't ride, meet us at one of scheduled stops to catch up or make a donation on the web page to a very worthy cause. For those of you who do not know what Special Operations Warrior Foundation is about check them out at http://www.specialops.org http://www.specialops.org/, I promise you will not be disappointed in the few minutes that it takes.
I hope to see you all on our trip and please feel free to pass it on your facebook, twitter, or any other way to get the word out to anyone you think will enjoy the time and appreciate the camaraderie.



Sincerely,

Robert Pittman



http://www.firstgiving.com/greatnorthwestride

Chief DJ Cantwell Retirement

Ron,

Can you please send the link below out to the group? My retirement ceremony will be 4 June at the Pentagon. Col Thompson will be the presiding official.

You have been sent an E-Invitation for the following event

Cantwell Retirement

To view your invitation please click the link below.
If you are unable to click on the link please copy and paste the address into your web browser.
https://einvitations.afit.edu/Cantwell604/anim.cfm


Thanks!
DJ

Debbie Buckmelter has passed

Please put this on the blog:

Debbie Buckmelter, wife of Col (ret) Jeff Buckmelter, passed away at her residence on 21 April 2010 after long bout with a brain tumor. Any donations can be sent to the SOF Warrior Foundation.

Thanks,
JB

JEFF BUCKMELTER
2833 Bayshore Trails Dr
Tampa, FL 33611
jbsts720@yahhoo.com

A CCA member has passed

Mike was a CCTer for about 7 years in the '60's.

Please visit the Obituary for Michael T. Takach Jr.


http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestate/obituary.aspx?n=michael-t-takach&pid=142018704

KBR JOBS

The ATC jobs are now posted. FYI

http://kbr.myvurv.com/main/careerportal/job_list.cfm?szSearchType=Advanced&s
zCategory=85


Matthew R. Lawson
Special Tactics Training Squadron

KY Air Guard unit practices for Thunder Over Louisville

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – On the day before Thunder Over Louisville, the aircraft in town for the Thunder air show took test flights. The Kentucky Air National Guard's Special Tactics Squadron kicked off the practice by jumping out of a C-130.

The team assembled early in the day to plan how to get five men from the air into the water just in front of the great lawn. Then they joined other crews to go over the practice.

"Short range, cargo hauling airplane," said Lt. Col John Ward, a C-130 pilot about the plane. "We can haul cargo. We can drop cargo. We haul passenger, troops and we can drop jumpers. So in peacetime or in wartime operations we can haul cargo or troops."

Five jumpers were practicing, but only four will jump for the show.
"It's def a rush," said jumper Garret, who asked not to use his last name for security reasons. "You def get an adrenaline rush from doing it."


Click on link to read article and view video

http://www.wave3.com/Global/story.asp?S=12325982

Advanced Skills Training Instructor Openings

Job Title: TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
Department: Department Of The Air Force
Agency: Department of the Air Force
Job Announcement Number: AFPC-339021-920482-8J-BG

SALARY RANGE: 57,408.00 - 74,628.00 USD /year
OPEN PERIOD: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 to Tuesday, April 20, 2010
SERIES & GRADE: GS-1712-11
POSITION INFORMATION: Full TimeTerm NTE 4 Years
PROMOTION POTENTIAL: 11
DUTY LOCATIONS: 1 vacancy - Hurlburt Field, FL
WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED: Status Candidates (Merit Promotion Eligibles)


http://jobview.usajobs.gov/GetJob.aspx?JobID=87454215&aid=40011148-15410&WT.mc_n=125

Staff Sgt. Scott D. Sather Memorial Push Ups

Maj Travis Woodworth and the men and women of the Special Tactics Training Squadron lower the flag to half-staff and knock out their memorial push-ups for SSgt Scott Sather, CCT killed in action April 8, 2003 in Iraq. Sather was assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.

Jack Fanning Update

All
Jack was scheduled to be moved today to the VA in Dallas for interim treatment but is currently on delay pending air movement coordination.
If unable to move today, we hope tomorrow.

On the great news side, as of last night Jack began to regain some sensation in his stomach, buttocks and lower legs. This is a huge step and his status has been upgraded from C4 ASIA A (complete injury with not motor or sensory return below level of injury) to C4 ASIA B (sensory return below level of injury). ASIA B is commonly a transition phase to ASIA C or D which means motor return.

Jack is tremendously excited about his future and has called the shots the whole way. Once he had the tubes out, he turned his efforts to sensory/motor and has been successful at every step. There is no healing power stronger than the mind.

I would like to highlight again the tremendous support the Care Coalition provides to the injured of USSOCOM. They have absolutely made a difference in the lives of Jack and his family and have recently produced a 3 Br apartment for the family in Dallas and a modified 07 Dodge van for the Fanning's both at no cost. This is just a small snapshot of the countless events, services and support they have provided to Jack and his family.

MTF as he makes the transition to Dallas.
v/r
Wolfe

Lt Col Wolfe Davidson

CCT in "Portraits in Courage"

Just got my latest copy of "The Wright Stuff" the AU journal. There's a powerpoint presentation which includes stories on David Beals and Zach Rhyner. Thought you and your readership would be interested.

Click on "Portraits in Courage" in the upper left.

http://www.au.af.mil/au/aunews/



Yours in CCT,
Joe Edwards

Col RZ Retirement 7 May/1400/Soundside

Hello,
please save the date, Lt Gen Wurster will retire Col Kenneth “RZ” Rodriguez on Friday/7 May at 1400 in the Airpark. Back-up plan in case of inclement weather is the USAFSOS Large Auditorium (Bldg 90503).

You are also invited to his Retirement Dinner on Thursday/6 May at 1800 at the Soundside Club. Formal invitations will be forthcoming. Please feel free to forward this email to members in your unit or others who we may have missed.

POC: Chief(retired) Mike Ramos,
884-4987 (Michael.ramos@hurlburt.af.mil)

Please RSVP via this link:



https://einvitations.afit.edu/RODRIGUEZ409/anim.cfm

CCT-WIA

ST Family,

SSgt Christopher Tyndall (22 STS) was injured 30 Mar as his vehicle struck an IED in OEF. He sustained injury to his right eye and minor injuries to his face. Chris is doing well and his follow-on eye exams reflected good results (with no expected long-term damage). He will most likely be released from the forward field hospital soon, expect two weeks recovery in theater, and return to full-duty.

Chris is in good spirits and his wife Caroline is doing well. Please continue to keep them in your thoughts.

ER

ERIC D. RAY, Lt Col, USAF

Deputy Commander, 720 STG