Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Valerie Novak Chapman Nessel on the Glenn Beck Program
Former wife of Combat Controller and Air Force Cross recipient TSgt John Chapman, K.I.A. will be on the Glenn Beck program to discuss the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. This program will air Wed 25 Aug 10 at 5pm EST/4pm CST.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Friday, August 20, 2010
'We' can accomplish so much more than 'I'
By Brig. Cen. Darryl Burke
82nd Training Wing commander
SHEPPARD Air Force Base, Texas – Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner is one of only three Airmen since Sept. 11, 2001, to receive the Air Force's highest honor, the Air Force Cross, and the only one who did not receive it posthumously.
A combat controller, Sergeant Rhyner saved countless lives by calling in more than 50 “danger close" air strikes, many virtually on top of his own position, after his special operations team was caught in a 360-degree ambush in Afghanistan's Shok Valley in April 2008. Even as he controlled eight Air Force fighters and four Army attack helicopters while perched on the side of a cliff, he laid down suppressing fire so wounded teammates could be extracted from the line of fire.
Sergeant Rhyner's actions that day were truly heroic, and his story has been rightfully used by many, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, to illustrate what Airmen bring to the joint fight.
But I'd like to use his actions off the battlefield to illustrate another principle.
Earning the Air Force Cross was a big news story, and many interviews followed. Sergeant Rhyner's conduct during that time demonstrated his character almost as much as the Shok Valley experience did.
You find one word repeated over and over when Sergeant Rhyner is quoted: "We." "We had to pull the wounded guys out ...”
”Any other combat controller put in the same situation would have performed in the same exact way. Credit that to the training we receive and the process that we go through to become a combat controller." - Sergeant Rhyner
"I think that was the moment when the insurgents we were fighting called time-out."
"What was going through my head was we don't have another option. We are still taking fire. We need it to stop ..."
Even noted news personality Glenn Beck couldn't get Sergeant Rhyner to talk about himself.
“You make this sound like it was just, you know, another day at the office," Mr. Beck said in a Fox News interview. "But there are only – what is it? - 192 people who have ever received the Air Force Cross ... How do you put that together in your head? I mean, you arc in a very elite group."
Sergeant Rhyner's response?
"Any other combat controller put in the same situation would have performed in the same exact way," he said. "Credit that to the training we receive and the process that we go through to become a combat controller."
No other Airman would have been more justified in basking a little in the light of tame. Yet given the ultimate opportunity to make it "all about me," Sergeant Rhyner chose instead to make it all about "we."
That is a great, great lesson for all of us.
“It’s all about me" sometimes seems to be the mantra of our time, but that attitude has no place in our Air Force. We are taught from the first day we don our uniforms to subordinate our personal ambitions and desires to the needs of our unit, our service and our nation.
We can’t allow ourselves to get puffed lip because of rank or position, or to let awards and accolades go to our heads.
We know that "we" is a much stronger word than " I: ' What "I" can accomplish is insignificant, but what "we" can accomplish is virtually without limit.
Sergeant Rhyner understands that well. We can learn much from his great courage and selfless sacrifice in the line of duty. We can learn much, too, from his humble ability to avoid the vertical pronoun, even as the cameras rolled.
Editor's note: Air Force combat controllers go through their initial training in Keesler's 3341h Training Squadron.
82nd Training Wing commander
SHEPPARD Air Force Base, Texas – Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner is one of only three Airmen since Sept. 11, 2001, to receive the Air Force's highest honor, the Air Force Cross, and the only one who did not receive it posthumously.
A combat controller, Sergeant Rhyner saved countless lives by calling in more than 50 “danger close" air strikes, many virtually on top of his own position, after his special operations team was caught in a 360-degree ambush in Afghanistan's Shok Valley in April 2008. Even as he controlled eight Air Force fighters and four Army attack helicopters while perched on the side of a cliff, he laid down suppressing fire so wounded teammates could be extracted from the line of fire.
Sergeant Rhyner's actions that day were truly heroic, and his story has been rightfully used by many, including Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, to illustrate what Airmen bring to the joint fight.
But I'd like to use his actions off the battlefield to illustrate another principle.
Earning the Air Force Cross was a big news story, and many interviews followed. Sergeant Rhyner's conduct during that time demonstrated his character almost as much as the Shok Valley experience did.
You find one word repeated over and over when Sergeant Rhyner is quoted: "We." "We had to pull the wounded guys out ...”
”Any other combat controller put in the same situation would have performed in the same exact way. Credit that to the training we receive and the process that we go through to become a combat controller." - Sergeant Rhyner
"I think that was the moment when the insurgents we were fighting called time-out."
"What was going through my head was we don't have another option. We are still taking fire. We need it to stop ..."
Even noted news personality Glenn Beck couldn't get Sergeant Rhyner to talk about himself.
“You make this sound like it was just, you know, another day at the office," Mr. Beck said in a Fox News interview. "But there are only – what is it? - 192 people who have ever received the Air Force Cross ... How do you put that together in your head? I mean, you arc in a very elite group."
Sergeant Rhyner's response?
"Any other combat controller put in the same situation would have performed in the same exact way," he said. "Credit that to the training we receive and the process that we go through to become a combat controller."
No other Airman would have been more justified in basking a little in the light of tame. Yet given the ultimate opportunity to make it "all about me," Sergeant Rhyner chose instead to make it all about "we."
That is a great, great lesson for all of us.
“It’s all about me" sometimes seems to be the mantra of our time, but that attitude has no place in our Air Force. We are taught from the first day we don our uniforms to subordinate our personal ambitions and desires to the needs of our unit, our service and our nation.
We can’t allow ourselves to get puffed lip because of rank or position, or to let awards and accolades go to our heads.
We know that "we" is a much stronger word than " I: ' What "I" can accomplish is insignificant, but what "we" can accomplish is virtually without limit.
Sergeant Rhyner understands that well. We can learn much from his great courage and selfless sacrifice in the line of duty. We can learn much, too, from his humble ability to avoid the vertical pronoun, even as the cameras rolled.
Editor's note: Air Force combat controllers go through their initial training in Keesler's 3341h Training Squadron.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Senior Airman Adam Servais Memorial Push Ups
Senior Airman Servais was in the rocky Uruzagan province in south-central Afganistan on Aug. 19, 2006, when the convoy he was traveling with came under heavy fire from insurgents. An estimated 100 or more concealed enemies began shooting from three sides. Immediately, Servais turned his Humvee’s machine gun toward enemy fire and began shooting. Rounds began exploding near the convoy. Servais turned over responsibility for the machine gun to another team member and began directing close air support to help suppress the insurgents. As he was talking with pilots overhead and spotting targets for them, a rocket-propelled grenade exploded behind Servais, killing him. Servais was a member of a Special Forces operational detachment that was working with Afghan National Army soldiers and Afghan police. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal for Valor on Aug. 25, 2006.
Don't forget your memorial push ups.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
2010 Air Commandos Hall of Fame selectees released
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
8/13/2010 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Air Force Special Operations Command officials announced the 2010 Air Commando Hall of Fame selectees 13 Aug., 2010.
These men were chosen for their significant contributions to worldwide special operations. Through their leadership and dedication, were instrumental in the success and accomplishments in the field of special operations.
- Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster
- Col. Richard F. Brauer Jr (Ret)
- Maj. William Grosvenor Jr (Deceased)
- Col. James B. Connors (Ret)
- Col. Kenneth H. Poole (Ret)
- Col. Walter K. Schmidt (Ret)
- Col. Russell E. Rakip (Ret) (Deceased)
- CMSgt. Michael J. Ramos (Ret)
- CMSgt. A. Eugene Adcock (Ret)
- CMSgt. Nicolas S. Kiraly (Ret)
These Air Commandos will be inducted into the Air Commando Hall of Fame during the Air Commando Association reunion banquet on Saturday, 9 Oct., 2010.
8/13/2010 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Air Force Special Operations Command officials announced the 2010 Air Commando Hall of Fame selectees 13 Aug., 2010.
These men were chosen for their significant contributions to worldwide special operations. Through their leadership and dedication, were instrumental in the success and accomplishments in the field of special operations.
- Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster
- Col. Richard F. Brauer Jr (Ret)
- Maj. William Grosvenor Jr (Deceased)
- Col. James B. Connors (Ret)
- Col. Kenneth H. Poole (Ret)
- Col. Walter K. Schmidt (Ret)
- Col. Russell E. Rakip (Ret) (Deceased)
- CMSgt. Michael J. Ramos (Ret)
- CMSgt. A. Eugene Adcock (Ret)
- CMSgt. Nicolas S. Kiraly (Ret)
These Air Commandos will be inducted into the Air Commando Hall of Fame during the Air Commando Association reunion banquet on Saturday, 9 Oct., 2010.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
SUAS Program Management - OCONUS
DESCRIPTION: Provide oversight of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) Program Management and training program while providing Joint Terminal Attack Control (JTAC) support and instruction. Interested individuals will eventually be qualified as both SUAS pilot and trainer. Personnel must develop and maintain SUAS specific training folders for maintenance of flight logs and SUAS training documentation. Personnel are required to train selected personnel in SUAS operations.
LOCATION: RAF Mildenhall, England.
REQUIREMENTS: A minimum of 2 years JTAC experience as defined in AFI 13-112 Volumes 1 and 2. A JTAC-I or JTAC-SEE qualification is highly desirable. Individuals preferably should come from either the TACP/CCT/Combat Weather or another SOF related field. Applicants must have a current Secret security clearance. A Top Secret security clearance is desirable.
BENEFITS:
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance
Four Weeks of Paid Time Off
10 paid holidays
401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
Company paid Short and Long Term Disability
Company paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
AFLAC insurance
Legal Resources Plan
Flexible Spending Plan for dependent care and healthcare expenses
Education/Tuition Reimbursement
Credit Union Membership
Recruiting Bonus Program
AND more….
CONTACT: Email resume and salary requirements to resumes@arrowmaker.com . Please reference your name and this job title in the subject line. WinTec is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). WinTec participates in E-Verify.
LOCATION: RAF Mildenhall, England.
REQUIREMENTS: A minimum of 2 years JTAC experience as defined in AFI 13-112 Volumes 1 and 2. A JTAC-I or JTAC-SEE qualification is highly desirable. Individuals preferably should come from either the TACP/CCT/Combat Weather or another SOF related field. Applicants must have a current Secret security clearance. A Top Secret security clearance is desirable.
BENEFITS:
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance
Four Weeks of Paid Time Off
10 paid holidays
401(k) Retirement Plan with Employer Match
Company paid Short and Long Term Disability
Company paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
AFLAC insurance
Legal Resources Plan
Flexible Spending Plan for dependent care and healthcare expenses
Education/Tuition Reimbursement
Credit Union Membership
Recruiting Bonus Program
AND more….
CONTACT: Email resume and salary requirements to resumes@arrowmaker.com . Please reference your name and this job title in the subject line. WinTec is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). WinTec participates in E-Verify.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Air Commandos receive medals for vital role in combat operations
RAF MILDENHALL, England -- Three members of the 321st Special Tactics Squadron were presented with medals at a Purple Heart and Bronze Star ceremony on July 29.
Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Hannigan and Staff Sgts. David Ibsen and Jeffrey Dicicco, all combat controllers, were honored at the ceremony for duties performed during combat operations. Sergeant Ibsen received a Purple Heart for his wounds received in action, and Sergeants Hannigan and Dicicco were awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Link to article:
http://www.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123216225
Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Hannigan and Staff Sgts. David Ibsen and Jeffrey Dicicco, all combat controllers, were honored at the ceremony for duties performed during combat operations. Sergeant Ibsen received a Purple Heart for his wounds received in action, and Sergeants Hannigan and Dicicco were awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
Link to article:
http://www.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123216225
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