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AFSOF commander pins on first star

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Amy Cooper
  • AFSOC Public Affairs
Aug. 10, 2007 --  The Air Force Special Operations Forces commander and Air Force Special Operations Command director of air, space and information operations was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony here July 10.

Brig. Gen. Michael Callan's first stars were pinned on by retired Gen. Charles Holland, former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and Air Force Special Operations Command, General Callan's wife, Ann, and his daughters, Amber and Brooke.

"Those of us who have had the opportunity to serve as flag (officers) didn't get here by ourselves. He didn't do it alone" General Holland said while officiating the promotion ceremony. "Today he gets to wear that first star."

General Callan also gave credit to the many people he's worked with throughout his Air Force career who directly contributed to his success.

"What this is really about is the many Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who got me here today," he said.

After graduating from Linesville-Conneaut-Summit High School in Linesville, Penn., General Callan attended Slippery Rock State College where he enrolled in the Air Force Reserve Officers' Training Corps. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant in 1981 and went to undergraduate pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss.

One of the credits on General Callan's list of combat operations is piloting the first HC-130P/N to Panama in 1989 during Operation Just Cause.

Some of General Callan's many decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal. However, the item he wears on his uniform that means the most to him is his pilot's wings.

"The only thing I wanted to do was fly," General Callan said.

Some of his fondest memories of his youth in Pittsburgh was going to the airport with his grandfather watching the airplanes come and go. The Air Force has provided General Callan with plenty of flight time; he has more than 4,300 flying hours in 16 different aircraft.

"The Air Force took this 45-hour civilian pilot and turned him into a professional," the new general said. "I am very, very proud to be an Airman."