Sports stars shine at Hurlburt Field

 "You all are the real heroes," said 2007 Heisman Trophy winner and current Florida Gator quarterback Tim Tebow to a crowd of roughly 150. "People say I am their hero for playing the silly game of football. But military members truly deserve the praise." Tim Tebow headlined a recent base tour aimed

Squadron continues tradition, honors fallen comrades

Members from the 1st Special Operations Squadron took off from Kadena Air Base Feb. 26 on a MC-130H Combat Talon II to honor fallen brethren that were lost 28 years ago when a 1st SOS MC-130E, call sign STRAY59, crashed during an exercise killing eight crew members and 15 passengers. The crew of

SOG navigator captures award from international organization

A navigator assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Group here was recently honored with the Institute of Navigation's 2008 Superior Achievement Award at the institute's International Technical Meeting. Capt. Christopher Kapp, a MC-130H Combat Talon II navigator who flies with the 1st Special

AFSOC Airman dies in Afghanistan

An Air Force Special Operations Command combat control journeyman died Feb. 20 while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Staff Sgt. Timothy P. Davis, 28, of Aberdeen, Wash., died near Bagram, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was

AFSOC welcomes first female flying squadron commander

An Airman from the 4th Special Operations Squadron became the first female flying squadron commander in Air Force Special Operations Command during a ceremony here Feb. 20. Lt. Col. Brenda Cartier assumed command of the 4th SOS, which employs the AC-130U Spooky gunship, from Lt. Col. Jim Rodriguez

Commentary: Crew of 'Spirit 03' -- upholding the Airman's Creed

Among silent rows of marble tablets honoring our nation's many heroes, Air Commandos and their families gathered at Arlington National Cemetery on Jan. 31 to pay tribute to the memory of the 14 heroes from the fallen crew of Spirit 03, an AC-130H gunship shot down 18 years ago during Operation

Emerald Warrior trains more than 700 joint forces in a special operations multi-national exercise

Emerald Warrior '09, a U.S. Special Operations Command multi-national tactical exercise here, wrapped up Feb. 13 after 12 days. The exercise trained more than 700 joint and interagency special operators and conventional active duty and Reserve forces from Air Force Special Operations Command, Marine

Pacific Air Commandos, Kadena Airmen recognized for ocean rescue

The 353rd Special Operations Group Commander recognized Airmen here Feb. 19 for their efforts during a September 2008 rescue mission on a ship in the Pacific Ocean. Col. David Mullins, the Group Commander, presented Air Medals, Air Force Commendation Medals and Air Force Achievement Medals to Airmen

Gas on the go

Air Commandos train on Korean peninsula

Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group braved the cold weather here to take advantage of various training opportunities on the Korean peninsula Feb. 9-13. Sixteen members from the 17th Special Operations Squadron, the group's Forward Area Refueling Point Team, 353rd Maintenance Squadron and