Passing of Wayne Barnett

Wayne Barnett, 

   A former Combat Controller passed 15 July as a result of complications following surgery.  He was or would have been 70 years old this month.  He retired in the early 80’s he lived in Waco, TX after retirement then moved to Killeen, TX.  

  He will be having a Military burial on Wed, July 24.  Time and location of services and burial is unknown.  His CCT history was 67-68 Vietnam, 68-71 1st SOW CCT England AFB, LA (TDY on project 404 July 70 –Jan 71), 72-74 3rd Aerial Port Sqd. Pope AFB NC.  Being a P304 he also had DAS/TAS (Direct Air Support/Tactical Air Support) time prior to Vietnam and a short stint at Ft. Bragg before Pope.  

  He left Pope via Palace Chase for Avionics on the new F111’s in mid or late 74.

Take care Rudy

Planning Positions at the 720 STG

ALCON,
 The 720 OSS will have two GS-11 planners positions advertised sometime in the near future. Specifically, we're looking for folks that can engage the TSOCs on Special Tactics operations and exercises. There will be periodic TDYs to/from the assigned theaters to sustain continuity with the TSOC staff, and the planners will be key to assisting us both prior to and during crisis. If anyone has questions or is interested in being notified when the positions are advertised on www.USAJOBS.gov, shoot 1Lt John Wylie a note at john.wylie@hurlburt.af.mil or call 850-884-2108. We need talented planners, would appreciate your consideration. Hoo-yah team, Bull

KURT W. BULLER, Col, USAF
Commander, 720th Special Tactics Group

https://www.usajobs.gov

OpHawkeye/Rise and Fire 2013 Honoring Harvell and other AFSOC Heroes

“Operation Hawkeye” (OHe), a mission launched by my son Will to honor fallen U.S. Special Operations forces (SOF) warriors and rally support for their loved ones using sport, www.OpHawkeye.com.

Will initiated OHe following the 8.6.2011 shootdown of the Extortion 17 team by Taliban forces, see CBS Evening News at http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57487691/teens-three-pointers-worth-much-more-for-seal-families/?tag=showDoorFlexGridLeft;flexGridModule, and subsequently expanded the mission to honor all SOF fallen and support their loved ones at the urging of Admiral McRaven and other members of the SOF community.  The story is recounted in the current issue of Sports Illustrated KIDS, http://www.sikids.com/athletes-give-back/how-a-14-year-old-used-his-jump-shot-to-support-the-troops, and in an accompanying SI.com video feature, http://www.sikids.com/sikidstv/how-a-14-year-old-turned-shooting-baskets-into-100k-for-troops-families.

OHe unites the general public and the SOF and basketball communities to close an awareness gap regarding the sacrifices of SOF warriors and their families.  The team numbers over 37,000 from across the U.S. and grows by thousands monthly ― individuals, private enterprises (small and large), non-profit organizations, athletes (both basketball and competitive shooting), teams, coaches, and media figures and writers ― on a shared mission to honor fallen SOF warriors, inform others of their sacrifice, and act to support those left to carry on, www.Facebook.com/OperationHawkeye. OHe is not a nonprofit, but rather works closely with and augments the efforts of supporting organizations such as the Air Commando Association/Foundation, That Others May Live Foundation, and others that directly support the SOF community.  The attached materials provide details on the background and breadth of the mission, as well as information on related activities and initiatives. 

I am writing on Will’s behalf to ask that you consider joining the OHe team, and for your assistance in alerting the CCT community and support network, including enterprises that play a meaningful role in outfitting, training, or otherwise supplying CCTs, that Will is dedicating his 2013 RISE and FIRE Shooting Challenge, htt://www.ophawkeye.com/rise-and-fire/ to honoring Andrew Harvell along with the two PJ’s that fell on 8.6.2011, John Brown and Daniel Zerbe.  In addition, he will be striving to raise $30,000+ for their causes and loved ones.  The Challenge calls for Will to make 3,300 3-point baskets, and 3,300 free throws, over Labor Day weekend.

Specifically, we could use your help in two critical areas:

1.        Alerting the CCT community that Will and the members of his Operation Hawkeye mission team will be honoring these heroes, and the AFSOC community more generally, over Labor Day weekend. tens of thousands will be honoring them.  Neither Will nor our family is well-positioned to get this message out to them.  The bottom line of Will’s mission is to let the community know how grateful we are for their service and sacrifice, and so we need help from folks in the CCT family like you and Mickey to move the word through your grapevine.

2.      Alert the CCT support network of suppliers and service providers that Will could use their help with donations and/or match pledge donations in connection with RISE and FIRE.  Three companies have already stepped up with match donations, designed to help maximize the value of grassroots donations from individuals and smaller, local enterprises.  We need to continue to build on that foundation over the next few weeks, so that when Labor Day weekend arrives, prospective grassroots supports will know every one of their donations hold significance in accomplishing the overall objective.

Thank you for giving this request consideration, and for anything you might do to support this endeavor.  We look forward to your reply.  With

Warm regards,

Bill

Silver Star Ceremony for Combat Controllers TSgt. Villegas, and SSgt. Young

Lieutenant General Eric E. Fiel

Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command

cordially invites you to attend a military ceremonyawarding the

Silver Star Medal

to

Technical Sergeant Ismael Villegas

and

  Staff Sergeant Dale Young

Monday, the twenty-second of July
at one o'clock in the afternoonForbes Hall Auditorium, Building 147

Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas

Reception immediately following the ceremony

https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=163858&k=036741017E5F

National Geographic Channel Fallen Hero’s Series Featuring Mark Forester

Beginning July 1, 2013, National Geographic Channel is premiering a few new series' for the summer. One of them is EyeWitness War. Here is the official description of the series:

"Eyewitness War follows the men and women of the armed forces through the chaos of battle with real-life, first-person footage. We’ll see them ready to face whatever hell awaits around every corner — from screeching bullets to IEDs to rockets. See the dangerous missions and perils of war through the eyes of our brave American service members — as the fighting is happening. Unfiltered, raw and intense, you’ll hear their shouts and see their comrades’ every move, in first person."

Mark's episode is called "Fallen Hero" and will air Monday, Aug 19 at 9:30 pm central. Some of his helmet cam footage will be used with a few of his teammates (Chad, Ben, and Jarrod) translating what is happening, and Mark's role in that battle.

To read about Mark's episode, check the Eyewitness War web site.

This should be a very powerful and enlightening series, helping American's see what our military experience in battle--their words, their horrors, their footage.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/eyewitness-war/episodes/fallen-hero/