2012 Outstanding Airmen of the Year (OAY)

Sent on behalf of the Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command


It is with great pleasure I announce the following individuals as AFSOC’s nominees for the 2012 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year Award;

Amn: SrA Daniel Cutrell, 23d Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Fld, FL

SNCO: SMSgt Jeffrey George, Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, FL

These Airmen represent AFSOC’s "best of the best" and have my greatest appreciation for their devoted service and dedication, and they will now compete at the Air Force level.




For the Commander

Whip Wilson Funeral Arrangements Update

Latest on Whip:

As of yesterday (26 Mar 12) through conversation with Whip's sister, the family is moving forward to plan a "celebration of life" service on 28 Apr 2012 in Fort Walton Beach. The target date was chosen to afford as many people as possible the opportunity to participate in this event. Especially those who may be coming from out of town.

The venue and time are TBD and are being coordinated. More to follow. Thanks for helping to get the word out.

MN

Mens Health article mentioning CCT

In the weeks since September 11, American fighter-bombers had pounded Taliban positions with uncanny accuracy, breaking bodies and wills. Over the same period, CIA spooks with duffel bags full of cash and Delta and SEAL teams had been prowling the Afghan hills and valleys. But there were also rumors of mysterious U.S. Airmen known as forward combat controllers somewhere on the ground, popping from their hidey holes like prairie dogs to laser-guide B-52 bomb drops from above. Some had even heard their voices. None had ever seen them.Read more at Men's Health:

http://www.menshealth.com/best-life/special-military-operators#ixzz1prYGWKfb

TSgt. William H. Jefferson Memorial Push Ups

TSgt. William H. Jefferson Jr., 34, of Norfolk, Va., died 22 March 2008 from wounds received when his vehicle struck an IED near Sperwan Ghar, Afghanistan. Jefferson was from Air Force Special Operations Command’s 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C.

Richard E (Whip) Wilson has passed

It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our brother Rick (Whip) Wilson who passed early this morning 20 Mar 2012. Whip is survived by his wife Ann and his mother and sister. Funeral arrangements are being finalized and more information will be available in the coming days. Whip loved his CCT brethren and will be greatly missed.



Winds calm, brother! Cleared for takeoff!



19 Nov 1953 – 20 Mar 2012



Pat G. C. Moulton

Alamo Gathering II (Check writing info)

Running into a little problem here on the checks that the attendees are sending in. The checks must be made out to include my name in order to be able to cash them and enter them into the CCA mini reunion sub account here. i.e. "CCA Mini Reunion (Al Huddleston)" if the check are made out that way we will have no problem with the bank.
Would appreciate it if you would put a blog out to that effect on any attendees coming to the Alamo Gathering II at San Antonio please write their checks out to "CCA Mini Reunion (Alvin Huddleston)" . They must include my name on the check in order for the bank to cash them and credit the money to our CCA mini reunion sub account.

Send checks to:
12510 Green Darner
San Antonio, Texas 78253.

Thanks.......hn

Rob Griffin Prayer Request

Just to let everyone know Rob Griffin had a massive heart attack on Wednesday morning. He was life flighted to Baptist in Pensacola where he is currently. They were able to place a stint in his heart (complete blockage that ruptured) and he is currently doing well and doctors expect a full recovery. Of course I don't know if I will ever be the same. Please keep us in your prayers.

Linda Grffin

CCA Alamo Gathering II Update

The CCA Alamo Gathering II golf tournament will be held at the Lackland AFB Golf Course.

Congratulate our latest CCT SMSgt Selects.

SMSgt (Sel) Robert J. Bartleson
SMSgt (Sel) Kenneth E. Huhman
SMSgt (Sel) Donald L. Stevenson
SMSgt (Sel) Brian W. Loudermilk

Job Opening

The UAE Special Operations Command is seeking a newly retired or separated CCT officer or senior enlisted operator to stand up the command's CCT capability, to coincide with the recently American-certified JTAC program. Please direct job-specific inquiries to the SOC's POC, an Aussie by the name of Stephen Nichols, at niconjools@hotmail.com. Any general questions can be sent to Jason Neese at LSU91@hotmail.com.

Position at Kadena

http://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/310631000

Job Announcement Number:8T-AFPC-617447-525110-JF

It is GS09 Full Time - Permanent.

TSgt John Chapman AFC Citation

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, U.S.C., awards the Air Force Cross to TSgt John Chapman for extraordinary heroism in military operation against an armed enemy of the United States as a 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Combat Controller in the vicinity of Gardez, in the eastern highlands of Afghanistan, on 4 March 2002.

On this date, during his helicopter insertion for a reconnaissance and time sensitive targeting close air support mission, Sergeant Chapman's aircraft came under heavy machine gun fire and received a direct hit from a rocket propelled grenade which caused a United States Navy sea-air-land team member to fall from the aircraft. Though heavily damaged, the aircraft egressed the area and made an emergency landing seven kilometers away.

Once on the ground Sergeant Chapman established communication with an AC-130 gunship to insure the area was secure while providing close air support coverage for the entire team. He then directed the gunship to begin the search for the missing team member. He requested, coordinated, and controlled the helicopter that extracted the stranded team and aircrew members. These actions limited the exposure of the aircrew and team to hostile fire.

Without regard for his own life Sergeant Chapman volunteered to rescue his missing team member from an enemy strong hold. Shortly after insertion, the team made contact with the enemy. Sergeant Chapman engaged and killed two enemy personnel. He continued to advance reaching the enemy position then engaged a second enemy position, a dug-in machine gun nest. At this time the rescue team came under effective enemy fire from three directions.

From close range he exchanged fire with the enemy from minimum personal cover until he succumbed to multiple wounds. His engagement and destruction of the first enemy position and advancement on the second position enabled his team to move to cover and break enemy contact. In his own words, his Navy sea-air-land team leader credits Sergeant Chapman unequivocally with saving the lives of the entire rescue team.

Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, and the dedication to the service of his country, Sergeant Chapman reflects the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

Don't forget your Memorial Push Ups

4 March 2002

RC