KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Two Airmen from the 353rd Special Operations Group were honored at the 2015 Air Commando Association Banquet Oct. 10, 2014 in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
A Special Tactics Officer at the 320th Special Tactics Squadron, and Tech. Sgt. Michael Wilson, a loadmaster at the 1st Special Operations Squadron received the ACA’s Commander’s Leadership Award.
According to the ACA website, the ACA’s Commander’s Leadership Award recognizes AFSOC's outstanding performers from any career field who have made the most significant contributions to mission accomplishment as determined by their respective commander.
"I am proud to have these two Pacific Air Commandos recognized by the ACA," said Col. William Freeman, 353rd Special Operations Group commander. "They both epitomize what it means to perform to the Air Commando standard and I'm happy their families were able to attend and celebrate with them."
As the assistant flight commander, the STO led his team on more than 75 high-risk missions throughout eight countries in the Pacific. During Exercise Foal Eagle in the Republic of Korea, the STO led a reconnaissance team through a night freefall infiltration. His team controlled 15 airdrops and the air landing of 150 Rangers which led to the first successful execution of a bilateral airfield seizure on the peninsula in 10 years.
Rulien’s leadership also yielded seven new jumpmasters during Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines and strengthened interoperability with Marine Reconnaissance Team and prepared 40 operators for combat during Operation Gunsmoke in Okinawa. While deployed to Iraq with joint and combined Special Forces, the STO implemented his joint terminal attack controller training during multiple high-risk coalition missions in support of Operations Inherent Resolve.
As a current operations training flight chief and Combat Talon II evaluator loadmaster, Wilson facilitated a 2,050 hour flying program while balancing the 19,000 training items for 65 crew members. While deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Wilson led the movement of 262,000 pounds of war materiel and more than 450 personnel that affected 29 combat missions.
During a Presidential-directed hostage rescue mission, Wilson led the delivery of 123,000 pounds of fuel which enables the insertion of a special operations team and the recovery of eight hostages. Back at home station in Japan, Wilson strengthened host nation relationship with Japanese Air Self Defense Force by coordinating a visit between the two nations and working with fellow Japanese C-130 loadmasters.
For both award recipients, they see this award as a reflection of those around them who provide them with support.
"I think awards like this are not necessarily for recognizing the individual but to give the individual an opportunity to thank those who he or she has relied on to succeed,” said the STO. “I wouldn’t be able to tie my shoes in the morning if it wasn’t for my wife, and I wouldn’t be able to call in an aircraft for an attack if it wasn’t for the men in my team--they really are the epitome of quiet professionals. To both my wife and to the men in my team, thank you. There really is nothing you can't accomplish if you love what you do and love the people you do it with."
“Receiving this award is truly an honor. Knowing that my commander and senior leadership have this much confidence and faith in my abilities as a leader means a lot to me. I really believe that leadership isn’t solely based upon a person's abilities, but also reflects the quality of the people they're allowed to lead,” said Wilson. “Receiving this award is a testament to the amazing people I have had the opportunity to work with throughout my career. Without them, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today and certainty would not be receiving this award.”
The Air Commando Association was created in 1969 as an organization for retired and active duty Special Forces personnel to come together and honor all ranks, preserve the Air Commando history and keep the air commando spirit alive. The ACA convention is held annually and a banquet is held to inducted members into the ACA Hall of Fame and award Commander Leadership Awards.
Note: This article has been updated with names removed to protect the identity of the special operator.