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Special Tactics Airman Awarded Silver Star Medal

Sunday, August 16th, 2020

POPE FIELD, N.C. – A Special Tactics Airman was awarded the nation’s third highest award for valor, the Silver Star Medal, during a ceremony at Pope Field, N.C., Aug. 14, 2020.

Master Sgt. John Grimesey, a Special Tactics combat controller with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, 24th Special Operations Wing, was recognized for his efforts in Afghanistan in 2013. He not only saved the life of a fellow special operations troop, but called in multiple airstrikes while being under attack by the enemy.

It was supposed to be a routine mission. Then again, no mission in Afghanistan in 2013 was “routine.” The objective was to clear and secure a village in Ghazni Provence to establish local Afghan police presence without the threat of opposition forces. Grimesey and his team partnered with the local Afghan police and together they set out to clear the area. Until one of the teams encountered a large band of Taliban fighters.

“Our Afghan team got separated and started to take on enemy fire,” said Grimesey. “Myself and an Army Special Forces Solider maneuvered to provide assistance and quickly found ourselves engaged with the Taliban.”

When Grimesey peered around the wall to gain situational awareness, he noticed the wounded and dead Afghan police officers, to include the police chief. It was then Grimesey was struck by a rocket propelled grenade. “I remember the ringing in my ears,” recalled Grimesey. “I knew I was concussed from the blast because of the ringing, my vision was blurry and I was fatigued.”

Despite suffering a concussion and shrapnel wounds, Grimesey was able to drag his Army Special Forces teammate away from the immediate danger zone and assess the situation. “I snapped into a problem solving mode,” he said. “The situation was dire and the only way to solve it was to rely on my extensive training and attempt to break down the large problem into small chunks. I had to prioritize with what I was being faced with.”

The Special Tactics combat controller was able to call in additional support from other Army Special Forces units, and from aircraft for close-air-support; all the while engaging in a fire fight with opposition forces. “Eventually we were able to gain control and eliminate the Taliban resistance while also finishing the mission to secure the village,” he said.

Grimesey said it was later discovered there was a Taliban training team who had made their way to the village thus drastically increasing the number of fighters they encountered.

Lt. Gen. James Slife, commander, Air Force Special Operations Command, presided over the ceremony and remarked on Grimesey’s actions.

“You may not call yourself a hero Master Sgt. Grimesey, but I do,” said Slife. “Because of your actions that day, families and friends did not experience loss. The men whose lives you saved will continue to positively impact those around them creating a chain of reaction that ripples across generations.”

“I think about it every day. I even dream about it,” reflected Grimesey. “It’s an event that left an impression on me. While it was a harrowing experience, I look back with great pride and believe that my team and I were able to save lives and help ensure the security of the village.”

Grimesey’s Silver Star Medal was upgraded from an Army Achievement Medal. During the ceremony he also received the Bronze Star Medal, second oak leaf cluster with Valor for another battle in the Middle East in 2017.

As Grimesey looks ahead to start his medical retirement process, he remembers his time in the Special Tactics community fondly, “If there are any other young men and women out there looking for a community with a sense of purpose and opportunity to make a positive impact on the world at large, they don’t have to look any further than Air Force Special Tactics.”

Special Tactics Airmen are U.S. Special Operations Command’s tactical air to ground integration force, and AFSOC’s special operations ground force, leading global access, precision strike, personnel recovery and battlefield surgery operations. Since 9/11, Special Tactics Airmen have received one Medal of Honor, 11 Air Force Crosses and 49 Silver Star Medals making Grimesey’s the 50th.

By Capt Katie Spencer

Posted in AFSW, Air Force, Guest Post, SOF | 2 Comments »

In Memoriam – Melvin Hill, Veteran of First Combat HALO Mission

Saturday, August 15th, 2020

It has come to our attention that MSG Melvin Hill (USA, Ret) has passed away at age 81. He was not only an Army veteran but served in Special Forces and MACV-SOG during the Vietnam war where he was the team leader for the first combat HALO mission. He was awarded the Silver Star for that mission.

Melvin Hill was born March 26, 1939 in Brooklyn, New York and joined the Army in 1955. During his career he served with:

18th Regimental Combat Team (Airborne)

Airborne School – HALO instructor,

Special Forces (joined in 1964)

MAV-SOG (Two tours)

After his retirement Mel worked at the US General Services Administration, Washington, DC for 14 years.

Melvin Hill served two tours in Vietnam. His first tour was in 1966 with MACV-SOG, Khe Sanh, RVN, Spike Team Oklahoma. He returned in 1970 to MACV-SOG, Command and Control North (CCN), Recon Company, Recon Team Florida.

Melvin was the team leader for the first MACV-SOG, High Altitude Low Opening (HALO), Combat Jump. He was awarded the Silver Star for that HALO jump (28 November 1970).

Hill is seen here with Cliff Newman who also participated in that fabled jump along with Sammy Hernandez.

The citation for his Silver Star reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 8, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Sergeant First Class Melvin Hill, United States Army, for gallantry in action on 28 November 1970, while serving as Team Leader of a Combined Reconnaissance Team, Republic of Vietnam. At 0200 hours Sergeant Hill fearlessly led his team from the tail gate of a C-130 aircraft at an altitude of 17,000 feet on the first free fall into hostile territory in the history of the United States Army. This awesome free fall carried him through two cloud layers and light rain to penetrate deep in the enemy’s rear area. The team landed in rugged terrain, but, due to the intensive training and rehearsal conducted by Sergeant Hill, sustained no injuries. Having cached their parachutes, the team moved through the high-threat area toward their target to accomplish their reconnaissance mission. During their five-day stay behind enemy lines, the team gathered sufficient hard intelligence to mark this mission a success. As a result of Sergeant Hill’s training, motivation and fearless leadership, his team was able to accomplish a harrowing mission which testifies to his courage and moral fiber. Sergeant First Class Hill’s conspicuous gallantry in action was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Army and reflects great credit upon himself and the military service.

Biographical information and photos from Special Operations Association and Special Forces Taps groups on Facebook.

Posted in History, Memorial, SOF | 16 Comments »

Prairie Fire Art Co Presents “The Professional” – Billy Waugh with MACVSOG in Laos

Friday, August 14th, 2020

This is Prairie Fire Art Co’s latest piece, “The Professional”. This pencil on paper was created to honor the legendary SGM Billy Waugh (USA, Ret) during his time in MACVSOG, while operating in Laos.

The artist offered this background on SGM Waugh.

Billy Waugh had a 50 year career in Army Special Forces and as a paramilitary officer. He patrolled the jungles of Laos and Vietnam. He hunted down Carlos the Jackal. He was the first to put sights on UBL and he invaded Afghanistan when most said he was too old for the mission. “Beware of an old man in a profession where men usually die young”.

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The best part of this project was sitting down with SGM Waugh and discussing his missions – or at least what little he is at liberty to share. While this drawing is a tribute to his entire career, I wanted to show SGM Waugh on a MACVSOG recon mission. Deep in the jungle, moving slowly, cautiously, listening to every sound and constantly scanning the bush for NVA. At the time he was older than most on the recon teams and he told me he felt a tremendous duty to his men – to see them through each mission alive. To this day, Billy still invests in younger generations of quiet professionals.

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He is the consummate professional soldier. He is a great American. Please share this post and read Billy’s book, “Hunting the Jackal”, and “Surprise, Kill, Vanish” by Annie Jacobsen to learn more about his incredible life and career of service. Thank you SGM Waugh!

Posted in History, Morale, SOF | 2 Comments »

SOFWERX & USSOCOM To Conduct Combat Evaluation for Challenge for Portable Welder

Saturday, August 8th, 2020

A Portable Welder? Absolutely. Special Operations Forces operate in austere environments and often have to construct facilities and conduct repairs of their own, as well as allies’, equipment. This is generally done by specialized enablers, assigned or attached to SOF. To do this, they need specialized equipment which is compact, robust and often able to accept different power sources.

To this end, SOFWERX, in concert with USSOCOM PM-ES, will conduct a Combat Evaluation (CV) Challenge for the USSOCOM Mobile Technology & Repair Complex (MTRC) to address known operational deficiencies with current welding technologies employed in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.

The command currently employs the following commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) welding equipment: Miller 212, Miller 252, Miller 255, Millermatic 200, Millermatic 220, CST 280, and various ‘stand-alone’ TIG welders. They all have limitations.

USSOCOM is looking for relatively mature welding systems and capabilities to reduce the overall number and types of welding systems from over 5 systems to less than 3 systems per each MTRC Team location, while concurrently reducing the logistics footprint and supporting the existing operational requirements.

This $200,000 Challenge will be conducted 20-22 October 2020 and interested companies must throw their hat in the ring by 03 September 11:59 PM EDT.

For full details, visit events.sofwerx.org/welder.

Posted in MRO, SOF | 3 Comments »

SCUBAPRO Sunday – Draper Kaufman the Godfather of UDTs/SEALS

Sunday, August 2nd, 2020

On August 4 we celebrate Rear Admiral (ret) Draper Laurence Kauffman birthday. Admiral Kauffman is credited with starting the Underwater Demolishing Teams and being the first U.S. frogman. He is called the father or Godfather of the SEALS teams.

He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1933. But because he had bad eyesight, he was made a reserve officer. At the start of WWII, he volunteered for the America Volunteer Ambulance Corp in Paris. During the German blitz of London, he severed as a bomb disposal officer. One month before Pearl Harbor he returned to the U.S. and joined the Naval Reserve. He is credited with inventing Motivation week, better known as Hell Week in Basic Underwater Demolition / SEAL training (BUD/S). Just that last accomplishment is worthy of calling him the Godfather.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Draper_Kauffman

huckberry.com/journal/posts/the-godfather-of-the-navy-seals

Posted in Advertiser, Guest Post, History, Maritime, Navy, SOF | 5 Comments »

SOFWERX – USSOCOM Virtual Innovation Foundry Event (IF6) AI for Maritime Maneuver, Intelligence, and Effects

Friday, July 24th, 2020

From 01-03 September 2020, SOFWERX will host USSOCOM Virtual Innovation Foundry Event (IF6) which covers AI for Maritime Maneuver, Intelligence, and Effects.

The objective of IF6 is to bring together Special Forces Operators and Subject Matter Experts to assist USSOCOM in understanding and applying digital age technologies to future operating environments as described in USSOCOM’s Operating Concept 2030.

SOCOM is seeking digital and intelligence age technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), miniaturized sensors, cloud and edge computing, and secure autonomous communication networks to the military functions of maritime maneuver, intelligence, and effects to develop concepts that influence the future capability needs of SOF and inform its technology investments.

Attendees will work as teams focused on the following concept areas:

1. Enable SOF tactical and operational advantage while conducting multiple mission sets in a Maritime contested and denied environment.
• In the future operating environment, how will tactical level SOF conduct Maritime missions while maintaining real-time battlefield awareness of friendly forces/resources as well as enemy forces and resources?
• How can SOF team with and employ robotic autonomous systems to improve precision effects and minimize risk to personnel, maritime craft, systems, and overall mission?

2. Enable SOF to operate with non-lethal/lethal effects while managing personnel and electromagnetic (EM) signature in a sensor saturated Maritime environment.
• How does SOF deliver lethal and non-lethal effects, interoperate with the greater joint force, and mission command forces and network connected systems?
• How can SOF create and deliver effects that integrate traditional and non-traditional means and create dilemmas for enemy forces?

3. Enable SOF to communicate and operate in an EM contested and/or degraded environment.
• How can SOF send/receive information in denied and contested operational Maritime environments?
• How can SOF install, operate, and maintain a tactical network capable of sending and receiving secure and trusted information?

4. Enable SOF to maneuver their teams, provide intelligence, and deliver effects in an environment where traditional position, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems may not be operational or reliable.
• How can SOF utilize autonomous systems ranging in size and type to maneuver in unreliable PNT environments?
• How can SOF utilize unattended/unmanned and autonomous sensors in the maritime environment to provide a comprehensive intelligence picture?
• How can SOF manage signature while completing mission requirements?

5. Enable SOF to provide tactical, operational, and strategic options to the greater joint force through unique employment of emerging technology.
• How can SOF create windows of opportunity for the Joint Force in denied environments?
• How can SOF enable the Joint Force while preserving high-value fleet assets?

Request to Attend NLT 09 August 11:59 PM EST

US Citizens Only

For full details, visit events.sofwerx.org/IF6.

Posted in ISR, Maritime, SOF | Comments Off on SOFWERX – USSOCOM Virtual Innovation Foundry Event (IF6) AI for Maritime Maneuver, Intelligence, and Effects

First Munitions Squadron in AFSOC History

Sunday, July 12th, 2020

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla —

Formerly with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, the munitions flight distinguished themselves as a new squadron in the 1st Special Operations Wing.

The 1st Special Operations Munitions Squadron activated July 8, 2020, and is the first munitions squadron in Air Force Special Operations Command history.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Clayton Seiler, commander of the 1st SOMUNS, assumed command after serving as the 7th Munitions Squadron commander at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

“Our role is to provide the best munitions support to our warfighters in the most efficient, effective and professional manner,” said Seiler.

1st SOMUNS Air Commandos build, collect, package and distribute munitions to the 1st SOW’s inventory aircraft, directly maintaining the readiness and lethality of the wing.

“There is a recognition for munitions being a unique skill set required for our mission,” said Seiler. “It also allows us to be a right sized squadron to focus on our Airmen and their families.”

The 1st SOMUNS is composed of four flights with more than 250 personnel, creating a separate squadron allowing focused leadership capable of being there for every Airman and their families.

“My family does so much to support what I’m doing here so I can focus and support our squadron needs,” said Seiler. “They’re my rock.”

Similar to Seiler’s family supporting him, he wants to create the same type of support within his squadron.

“We can make this squadron a culture and climate people want to be a part of,” said Seiler. “This is a great opportunity for everyone to make this squadron what they want it to be.”

Seiler’s first priority is to understand his Airmen, talk to his leadership team and build the squadron together.

“Our role is to support warfighters and ensure we provide them with everything needed to complete the mission,” said Seiler.

1st SOW aircraft are lethal because of the combat capability provided by the 1st SOMUNS.

“Without munitions, we would just have a fleet of airliners,” said Seiler.

By Airman 1st Class Blake Wiles, 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Forces Focus, Guest Post, SOF | 1 Comment »

New Special Operations Outdoor Training Facility Allows Safe Workouts

Saturday, July 11th, 2020

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Special Operations Command Central has opened a new outdoor human performance facility at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, providing the opportunity for safe and socially distant workouts while allowing a venue to maintain personal wellness.

Officials deemed it necessary to open the outdoor facility during a time where most public fitness facilities were closed due to COVID-19.

Navy Rear Adm. H. Wyman Howard III, the Soccent commander, cut the ribbon to open the facility June 3.

”This is a great moment for us to be able to expand the [human performance] facilities,” Howard said. ”With this new workout area, our teammates will have ample room to perform workouts necessary to keep the team fit for the fight.”

The facility is nearly the length of an American football field; stretching 247 feet, with half of the flooring made of synthetic turf and the remainder made of rubber matting for the equipment workout area. New lighting and industrial fans were installed throughout the facility, which also includes a purified drinking station. The open-air, yet covered, space allows athletes to work out without being exposed to the direct sunlight.

After the ceremony, Mike Renteria, Soccent’s strength and conditioning coach, invited a small group of personnel to stay for the initial workout session at the new facility.

This workout area is the first expansion phase of the human performance facilities, with plans for two more buildings on the Soccent campus to be converted as indoor facilities.

”The expansion of our Human Performance Training Center is going to be a world-class facility, with the best trainers, for the best warriors in the world,” said Army Maj. Juan Salas, the headquarters commandant for Soccent. ”It will serve as the pinnacle for all special operations forces while stationed at MacDill Air Force Base.”

The expansion and renovation project for the workout areas, physical therapy and rehabilitation facilities will span three fiscal years: 2019, 2020 and 2021.

”The project is moving nicely,” Salas said. ”The gym equipment will be installed in the new buildings by September of this year.” The project is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2020.

By Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin for Defense.gov

(Army Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin is assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command Central.)

Posted in Guest Post, SOF, Training | 2 Comments »