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The Mystery Ranch Honor Pack Is Key To Healing For Station Foundation Participants

Sunday, May 28th, 2023

There are times when we can use what we do best to create impact, to create meaning, and to create something bigger than a backpack. This was one of those times. We are incredibly proud to support the Station Foundation and recently completed these special HONOR PACKS for their program participants.

In their programs, they honor their Fallen Warriors with a sacred ritual. Each night, they gather on the edge of the wilderness while carrying a large river rock in their MR packs. These rocks are hand-picked along the Gallatin River. Some are plain, others are adorned to honor those they hike for.

Together, they hike in silence to a memorial built stone by stone, standing as a symbol of the weight they all carry inside and the courage it takes to leave it behind.

“For the past ten years, the sons and daughters of our fallen Special Operations Warriors have come to The Station Foundation to heal and grow beyond tragic loss. It’s here, in the beautiful backcountry of Montana, where we come together to honor the Fallen, celebrate their legacies, and guide their children into the lives they are destined to live. These are special kids who answer their calling and discover authentic healing in a community that chooses never to forget.

Throughout this powerful journey, one special partner shows up every year: MYSTERY RANCH. The MYSTERY RANCH family has quietly supported our Gold Star Students for over a decade and continues to find special ways to say ‘we care’ in the Special Operations Community.

This ‘HONOR PACK’ elevates the lives of those quiet professionals who left us too early, and who are missed dearly. It reminds us of the costs of war and the things we carry home. Most of all, the HONOR PACK carries the weight through our wilderness until we are ready to put it down.

MYSTERY RANCH has always been there when we needed them. We’ve relied on their packs in combat and now depend upon their love on our journey home. This pack is a symbol of strength, hope, and of life beyond war. It is a testament to great people showing up to make a difference. We may Never Forget– MYSTERY RANCH has our backs.”

– Kevin Stacy, Station Foundation Founder & Executive Director

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Defenders Memorialized During Police Week, DAF Expands Security Forces Training

Monday, May 22nd, 2023

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —

The names of three Department of the Air Force defenders were among the 556 fallen officers read aloud during the 35th Annual Candlelight vigil May 13 as part of the many events that take place across the country during National Police Week, May 14-19.

The three defenders honored during the vigil were Tech. Sgt. Jason Norton, Staff Sgt. Brian McElroy and Senior Airman Jason Nathan.

“It is important to honor their memories and celebrate the achievements they made to the defense of our nation,” said Brig. Gen. Thomas Sherman, director of Security Forces. “National Police Week in general is a time to reflect on those we lost, as well as a time to come together as law enforcement professionals within the Security Forces career field.”

At this year’s vigil, Timothy Gerald, deputy director of Security Forces, attended the vigil to represent the Department of the Air Force defender family.

“Our Department of the Air Force civilian police officers have worked alongside uniformed defenders for more than a decade. Together, our active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian defenders conducting law enforcement make us a stronger fighting force,” said Gerald, who also serves as the senior Air Force civilian and functional manager overseeing all matters concerning the utilization, development and career field management of the 4,600-person DAF civilian security and police force. “Thank you to our Total Force defender family for their dedicated service.”

National Police Week is a time to reflect on the challenges that law enforcement officers face every day. The Security Forces Air Staff continues to support law enforcement officers by ensuring that they have adequate resources and training.

Law enforcement is an important aspect of Security Force’s larger mission of base defense. Defenders protect Airmen, Guardians and their families; defend resources, equipment and capability; and assure that air and space missions supporting the DAF are carried out successfully and securely.

Law enforcement is not only important for the safety and well-being of Airmen—it is also a key force-multiplying capability vested in base defense.

As the Air Staff recognizes law enforcement professionals during Police Week, it also reflects on the major efforts underway to support civilians within its law enforcement community. In 2022, the Security Forces enterprise launched an effort to build the law enforcement specialty directly within the civilian career field. This required selecting a subset of the 43,000 Total Force Security Forces population to be uniquely identified as law enforcement practitioners.

Building on that effort, the Air Staff expanded the Police Officer Training and Standards Accredited Academy to accept military students. This enables the Security Forces enterprise to establish a foundation of base defense training, creating base defense-focused defenders within the basic courses while later selecting Airmen for specialized law enforcement training at the academy.

The Air Force Security Forces Center facilitated funding to increase course availability to 500 students per year. All graduates are credentialed and badged federal law enforcement officers. Finally, to sustain officer skills, the AFSFC will introduce a 40-hour annual recertification course and additional instruction for field training officers, sergeant/supervisors and deputy directors.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, LE, Memorial | Comments Off on Defenders Memorialized During Police Week, DAF Expands Security Forces Training

Remembering the Sacrifices of Operation Eagle Claw

Tuesday, April 25th, 2023

I remember waking up on the morning of 25 April, 1980 to hear President Carter announced to a stunned world that the United States had undertaken an ambitious raid into Iran to liberate 52 American hostages held illegally at our Embassy compound in Tehran. The assault force of what was known as “Operation Eagle Claw” can be seen here, loading C141s.

Unfortunately, the plan was complicated and the task force was made was made up of forces which hadn’t trained together long. The weather was problematic as well and as the task force began to organize a withdrawal from Iranian territory after one-too-many helicopter failures, disaster struck.

We lost eight American servicemen in a horrible aircraft ground collision during refueling operations where a hovering SH53 helicopter flew into a C130 full of fuel bladders.

However, their deaths were not in vain. The hostages were eventually repatriated and the accident was the watershed event that created, over the next several decades, the world’s preeminent Special Operations capability; USSOCOM and its components. Over forty years later, we wouldn’t be where are without the determination of that fledgling task force.

Join me in remembering those who had the guts to try; legends to a man.

Posted in History, Memorial | 2 Comments »

In Memoriam SGM Billy Waugh (USA, Ret)

Wednesday, April 5th, 2023

I’m sorry to report that the legendary Billy Waugh, who served his nation for over 50. years in US Army Special Forces, and after his military retirement with the Central Intelligence Agency, has passed away at age 93.

Born William D. Waugh, he hailed from Bastrop, Texas and joined the US Army in 1948. Initially serving as a paratrooper with later service in the Korean War, he eventually joined Special Forces and served there until his retirement in 1972 at the rank of Sergeant Major. In 1977 he joined the CIA as an paramilitary operations officer and retired from that gig in 2005.

Consider this; at age 71, he participated in the opening days of Operations Enduring Freedom, deploying as one of the first Americans going into Afghanistan as a member of a CIA team sent there to destroy the Taliban and Al Qaeda at Tora Bora.

But by that point, he was already a legend. In addition to serving in MACV SOG, he was a pioneer of Military Free Fall techniques, having conducted the first HALO combat jump into Vietnam.

Billy Waugh succumbed today to a prolonged illness.

May He Rest In Peace…

Posted in Memorial | 18 Comments »

In Memoriam – MG Gary Harrell

Tuesday, February 14th, 2023

I am saddened to report that MG Gary L Harrell, (USA, Ret) passed away this morning while surrounded by family.

In this photo, he was commander of C Sq, 1st SFOD-D during operation Gothic Serpent. For an extensive biography, visit TaskForceDagger.org.

“If it was complex, if it was difficult or critical to our nation, Gary was there,”

-LTG Robert Wagner, the commander of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, said during MG Gary Harrell’s retirement ceremony.

I didn’t meet him until after he retired but he brought a lot to every endeavor he undertook.

He was a fine man and respected leader. He will be missed.

May He Rest In Peace.

Posted in Memorial | 1 Comment »

Artist Lorin Michki Creates Tribute to James Yeager

Saturday, December 24th, 2022

Earlier this year we lost James Yeager to ALS. Artist Lorin Michki has created a great tribute to his life.

He had this to say, “I was commissioned to make this by a friend of James Yeager. I was actually wanting to do one anyway but I didn’t really want to do it unless the family was okay with it. They will be getting this drawing.”

Lorin is selling prints of this drawing in his Etsy store with half of each print sold donated to a charity of the Yeager family’s choosing.

Posted in Memorial | 18 Comments »

The Battle of Mogadishu

Monday, October 3rd, 2022

Everyday marks an anniversary of a significant event in American military history, but today stands out among them.

On this date in 1993, US service members were engaged in what is now known as the Battle of Mogadishu. A joint organization was formed named ” TF Ranger” to deploy to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of a UN-led humanitarian mission. Already having conducted operations for some time, on 3 October they raided the city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia.

Unfortunately, during the exfil portion of the raid, a battle ensued which claimed the lives of 18 Americans and wounded another 73. Additionally, CW3 Michael Durant was captured by the Aideed militia. Fortunately, Durant was later repatriated and went on to retire from the 160th.

Of the men killed that day, two would be awarded the Medal of Honor, Delta Operators Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, for their selfless efforts to protect Durant after his aircraft, callsign Super 64, was shot down.

Last year, the US Army reevaluated the awards presented to the participants of that battle and amongst the Ranger element, upgraded 60 veteran’s awards including 58 Silver Stars and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The order of battle included other organizations and their Soldiers will soon receive similar upgrades.

If you are unfamiliar with the events, one of the best accounts of the battle is contained in the book, “Blackhawk Down” by author Mark Bowden. Much of the information was serialized prior to the book’s publication in the Philadelphia Enquirer. Later this was made into a movie bearing the same name.

Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.

Additionally, the 75th Ranger Regiment was created on this day in 1984, with the stand up of its 3rd Battalion. Almost four decades later, the Ranger Regiment boasts boasts five battalions of some of the most elite warriors on the face of our planet.

Posted in History, Memorial, SOF | 4 Comments »

In Memoriam – LTG David E. Grange, Jr (USA, Ret)

Sunday, September 18th, 2022

Last week a nation said goodbye to LTG David E. Grange, Jr (USA, Ret). Most never knew he was, a man who served his nation in silence.

Loved by many, he was a man idolized. I had the opportunity to meet General Grange a couple of times long after his retirement, having been introduced by his son, MG David L. Grange who is also a distinguished Ranger and a legend in his own right.

I’ll share this piece from the National Ranger Association about General Grange.

May He Rest In Peace

“The Ranger mystique is at its best here at Fort Benning. 20 years from now, I’m not going to be around here, but you will be. And if you are in the Airborne & Ranger Training Brigade, you better be turning out Rangers even a lot better than the ones that I saw turned out or the ones like you. I want you to be better! Always.”

-LTG (R) David E. Grange, Jr.

As the namesake of the Best Ranger Competition, he inspired & created something tangible that is meaningful & powerful beyond measure to all involved. As a servant leader, he has taught us all through his example how to survive & thrive through all the different battles within this world & in our own lives with integrity & true grit. He taught us that it is not just what you offer, but how you pave a way for others to give their very best to themselves & to those that surround us. He didn’t run around building his legacy, he “ran around” making a difference.

We are his legacy.

LTG David E. Grange, Jr. was a Veteran of 20 campaigns in three wars as an infantryman. He enlisted in June of ’42, & served as a parachute infantryman in World War II. LTG Grange was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in ’50 & served in Korea with the 187th. He then served in Vietnam in ’63 as an Airborne/Ranger/infantry Advisor to the DODs Research & Development Field Unit. In ’67 he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. He returned to Vietnam for his third tour in ’70 where he commanded the 101st Support Command & the 3rd Brigade. He served as Director of the Ranger Department, & later commanded the 2ID, the U.S. Army Infantry Center, & the 6th U.S. Army.

For 97 yrs, this man gave every ounce of his life back to his family, his community, & his country. Through his dedicated service to others, he in turn designed a legacy for us to receive as individuals, as soldiers, and as an entire community. He is THE Standard. The legend of the game.

Even in our grief of never seeing him on this side of the Earth, his spirit will always be felt and forever revered. To our Airborne Ranger in the sky, rest now. You’ve lead the way.

LTG DAVID E. GRANGE, JR.
9 Apr 1925 -11 Sept 2022.

Posted in Memorial | 5 Comments »