MSgt H. Wilson Retirement Invite

On behalf of Major General Kenneth E. Tovo

Commander, Special Operations Command Central

you are cordially invited to attend a retirement ceremony honoring

Master Sergeant H. C. Wilson

Friday, the first of June, two thousand and twelve

at one o'clock in the afternoon

at the Surf’s Edge Non-Commissioned Officer’s Club

7315 Bayshore Blvd, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida 33621

Military: Uniform of the Day
Civilian: Daily Business Attire        

Kindly R.S.V.P. before May 23rd             

MSgt H. Wilson (850) 543-4006              

 Email:  hcwilson4@yahoo.com      

 Reception to follow after ceremony at the club          

Pilot wanted

Looking for a civilian pilot in the NW Florida area that owns his own aircraft and or can drop jumpers from a leased aircraft.

Please contact Ryan Stanhope at 850.218.3717 or lowhookturn@gmail.com

Alamo Gathering Reminder

"It's just four weeks until the CCA Mini reunion in San Antonio. Events will include golf at Lackland AFB on Thursday 17 May; Basic Training Graduation with preferred seating on Friday 18 May followed by a tour of the Sather Memorial and briefing by active duty CCT Instructors at Lackland; Saturday 19 May free bus tour to Fredericksburg to shop and visit the Museum of the Pacific WWII and that evening a grand dinner at La Margarita Restaurant, and all the socializing you can muster in between! let us know by email at twochiefs@satx.rr.com if you plan on attending. Dinner is $35.00 and event registration is $25.00 please make checks payable to CCA Mini (Al Huddleston) and send to 12510 Green Darner, San Antonio, Texas 78253."

"There are still plenty of rooms left at the Crockett Hotel at the special rate of $109.00. The number is (800)292-1050 and ask for the special rate for Alamo Gathering II."

Lessons Learned Analyst

I have a request from Phil Pearson to disseminate a job listing for a Lessons Learned Analyst contractor position at the CJSOTF. Candidate should have the AFSOC/Aviation experienced that HQ AFSOC/A9L would desire - since that position is their only link into the theater.

Location: Afghanistan
Time Frame: Start Jun 12 - End probably 12 months later
Contact: Sundberg or myself, Philip.pearson.ctr@hurlburt.af.mil
(850-884-3845 or Cell 850-974-0685)

Thanks,
Philip

Thanks, Ron.

V/r,

Pete

MSgt Richard Edward Wilson (1953 – 2012)

MSgt (USAF Retired) Richard Edward “Whip” Wilson, 58, of Fort Walton Beach, died in his sleep on Tuesday, March 20, 2012. He was born on November 19, 1953 in Clearwater, Florida and spent a carefree boyhood in nearby Gulfport where he played little league baseball and developed a life long passion for fishing. As a teen he was an accomplished surfer who learned to repair and craft his own boards. He was also an avid dirt biker, and lettered in track and basketball at Boca Ciega High School.

After spending some time at St Petersburg College, he began a military career proudly serving for over 25 years in Air Force Special Operations as a Combat Controller. Following his father’s death in 1980, he returned to St Petersburg to help his mother manage Wilson Mattress Manufacturing Company. Five years later Rick returned to active duty as a Senior Airman and volunteered to attend Combat Control School for the second time to refresh his skills. At 32 years old he successfully completed the arduous training.

Rick loved his family and his country and was devoted to both. He had a servant’s heart and would give anything he had to someone in need. Today we rejoice in the knowledge that he is forever at home with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Richard is survived by his wife Samreong, mother Roberta Wilson, St. Petersburg, FL, sisters Angela Wilson, Clermont, Fl, Rhonda Gagliardi, St. Petersburg, FL, Dawn Wyatt, Aurora, CO, nephews Brad Intrater, Norfolk, VA, Mark Intrater, San Marcos, TX, nieces Anna Phillips, Palmetto, FL and Sarah Gagliardi, St. Petersburg, FL.

A celebration of the life of this humble and honorable man will be on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach, 21 First Street, Fort Walton Beach, FL.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ or a charity of your choice.

Golf at Nashville

All who plan to attend the Nashville mini reunion and will be playing golf please advise Billie Slayton or Tim McCann. We need to know if you intend to play both Friday and Saturday or just one of those days so Bill Covington can confirm the number of tee times needed. Also, if you plan to arrive earlier and want Bill Covington to schedule a tee time for your group let us know.

Thanks,
Tim McCann

SSgt Scott Sather Memorial Push-ups.

Maj Eli Mitchell 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.

Whip Wilson Memorial Service

Air Force Cross awarded to Capt. Barry Crawford

Dear CCA Members,
The Air Force will soon make an official announcement that Captain Barry F. Crawford, Jr., will be awarded the Air Force Cross for his extraordinary heroism during combat action in Afghanistan. Captain Crawford was assigned as a Special Tactics Officer at 21 STS when he earned the award. He is now assigned in a A-10 fighter squadron in the Maryland ANG awaiting a pilot training slot. The award ceremony is scheduled for 12 April at the Pentagon. The Combat Control Association (CCA) and Special Tactics community congratulate Capt. Crawford for his heroic action... making him the forth Combat Control Team recipient of the AF Cross.

Fraternally yours,

Wayne Norrad
President, CCA

SrA Mark Forester Silver Star

Dear CCA Members,
Lt Gen Eric Fiel, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, confirmed and made official notification to the Forester family that the Silver Star Medal has been approved for the heroic actions of SrA Mark Forester. The CCT and ST community are proud of our fallen comrade and will never forget him or his sacrifice. He gave all.

Fraternally yours,

Wayne Norrad, President
Combat Control Association

Nashville Mini Reunion Reminder

There is just over six weeks until the Nashville Mini Reunion (17-20 May 2012). Those who will be attending and have not yet notified either Billie Slayton at Billie_W@bellsouth.net or Tim McCann at mccanntimothy@sbcglobal.net of your intentions please do so at your earliest convenience. There are twenty rooms reserved at a quoted price of $89 and we hope to fill all of them.

Thanks Ron,
Tim McCann