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  • Staff Sgt. Johnnie Yellock Jr., a 23rd Special Tactics Squadron combat controller, prepares for his final jump before being medically retired Oct. 16, 2013, Hurlburt Field, Fla. Yellock endured 28 surgeries and two years of intense physical therapy to be able to walk again after his vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device during a 2011 deployment to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. John Bainter)

    Wounded warrior makes final jump

    One by one, Airmen from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron lined up at the back of a C-130, paused, then stepped off the aircraft Oct. 16, completing their free fall training jump into the picturesque water of Florida's Emerald Coast.For Staff Sgt. Johnnie Yellock Jr., this jump was two years and 28 surgeries in the making.In 2011, Yellock, a 23rd

  • AFSOC Airman named one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year

    An Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Airman was selected as one of the 2013 Air Force 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year. Tech. Sgt. Jason Payne, a combat controller assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, spent approximately 200 days of 2012 away from home station and has been on nine deployments since joining the Air Force
  • Staff Sgt. Matthew Macella and Staff Sgt. Chris Johnston, special tactics pararescuemen with the 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Fla., provide medical aid to an Alabama teenager who fell 30 feet while rock climbing August 5, 2013. (courtesy photo)

    Air Force Special Tactics Airmen rescue Alabama teen after climbing accident

    Two Air Force Special Tactics instructors rescued an Alabama teenager after he fell 30 feet from a steep rock face while climbing in the Cherokee Rock mountain range, located in Sand Rock, Ala., Monday.Staff Sgt. Matthew Macella and Staff Sgt. Chris Johnston, special tactics pararescuemen instructors with the 24 th Special Operations Wing at
  • Master Sgt. Doug Neville and Staff Sgt. Brian Wadtke, 22nd Special Tactics Squadron combat controllers, share snacks during one of the rest stops along the route to Camp Muir, July 20, 2013. Staff Sgt. Savanna Wadtke, 627th Force Support Squadron commander’s support staff member, joined her husband to provide motivational support. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Jason Truskowski)

    Two Combat Controllers hike with USAF Seven Summits Team

    For some, hiking and climbing for days, and sometimes months, through some of the harshest environments known to man, would seem like an arduous task not enjoyed by many. Two Airmen from Team McChord experienced just that as they summited Mount Rainier, Wash., July 19 through 22.Staff Sgt. Brian Wadtke and Master Sgt. Doug Neville, who are both
  • Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, Commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, poses with Tech. Sgt. Ismael Villegas, 24th Special Operations Wing combat control recruit liaison, and Staff Sgt. Dale Young, 342nd Training Squadron combat control instructor, after presenting them each with a Silver Star, July 22, 2013. Villegas and Young were awarded Silver Stars for their actions against enemy forces in Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Vernon Young Jr./Released)

    Two Special Operations Airmen receive Silver Star decoration

    Two Air Force Special Operations Command combat controllers currently stationed in San Antonio were each presented a Silver Star for gallantry in combat during a ceremony July 22 here.The two combat controllers, Tech. Sgt. Ismael Villegas and Staff Sgt. Dale Young, were decorated by Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, commander, Air Force Special Operations
  • A 23rd Special Tactics Training Squadron student guards the perimeter in a counter-insurgency exercise on the Eglin Air Force Base range. The exercise provided critical training in counter-insurgency tactics, land navigation and mission planning to potential Air Force combat controllers. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Cheryl Foster)

    Reservists help special ops students in exercise

  • The youngest Airman at the Special Tactics Training Squadron, student trainee Second Lt. Brandon Fix, and the oldest member of the 24th Special Operations Wing, retired Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Norrad cut a cake June 12, 2013 marking the first birthday of the 24 SOW. The 24 SOW is the first USAF wing devoted to special tactics and is the most highly decorated wing since Vietnam. (Photo by Rachel Arroyo/Released)

    24th Special Operations Wing turns one

    The first Air Force wing devoted to special tactics celebrated its one-year mark June 12.Members of the 24th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Fla., commemorated the occasion by focusing on the cornerstone of organizational success - what constitutes good leadership and how to cultivate it on and off the job.Retired Lt. Gen. Bruce Fister,
  • Adm. William H. McRaven, commander U.S. Special Operations Command, inducts retired Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Norrad into the Commando Hall of Honor at the 2013 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference gala dinner in Tampa, Fla., 15 May, 2013. A former Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller and command chief, Norrad was recognized for more than 45 years of service to the special operations community. (Photos by Tech. Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence /Released)

    Combat Controller inducted in Commando Hall of Honor

    A former Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller and command chief was recognized for more than 45 years of service to the special operations community through induction into the Commando Hall of Honor May 15.Retired Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Norrad was inducted into the United States Special Operations Command Hall of Honor during the
  • Adm. William H. McRaven, commander U.S. Special Operations Command, inducts retired Master Sgt. Scott Fales into the Commando Hall of Honor at the 2013 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference gala dinner in Tampa, Fla., 15 May, 2013. Fales, a pararescuemen, earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his heroic actions during a search and rescue mission in Mogadishu, Somalia in August 1993 when Black Hawk helicopter “Super 6-1” went down. (Photos by Tech. Sgt. Angelita M. Lawrence /Released)

    Combat Controller inducted in Commando Hall of Honor

    A former Air Force Special Operations Command combat controller and command chief was recognized for more than 45 years of service to the special operations community through induction into the Commando Hall of Honor May 15.Retired Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Norrad was inducted into the United States Special Operations Command Hall of Honor during the
  • (Courtesy Photo)

    SOCOM Commander to host virtual town hall

    Adm. William H. McRaven, commander U.S. Special Operations Command, will host a virtual town hall, March 7, 2013, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. EST. Adm. McRaven, along with his wife Georgeann, will address questions concerning Preservation of the Force and Families. The town hall is designed to be interactive, allowing participants to ask real time
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