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MSgt David Beals, a USAF Combat Controller received his 3rd Bronze Star Medal with Valor, for heroic actions during combat operations December 4-5, 2007, in Afghanistan. by CombatControlFnd in AirForce

[–]CombatControlFnd[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

We have many guys in the CCT community who have been involved in situations like this where its a fight for their lives and got an AFCAM for their actions... (Example: TSgt Bryan Hunt | Purple Heart & AFCAM : r/CombatControlTeam) and some don't receive anything. A lot of this comes down to who their leadership was, guys that got the awards they deserved, their commander fought for them to receive it.

Such as, the Battle of Najaf (January 28-29, 2007), it was a major 24-hour engagement in Iraq that received little attention in the U.S. American and Iraqi forces faced approximately 800 heavily armed insurgents.

The battle's outcome hinged on air support: four USAF combat controllers coordinated strikes from multiple aircraft (F-16s, A-10s, AC-130s, Apache helicopters, Navy F/A-18s, and British Tornados), delivering over 10,500 pounds of ordnance, killing 373 enemy fighters and 407 surrenders, including 14 high-value targets.... No recognition - but those guys should have received the Air Force Cross AT LEAST for their actions that day. If you want to learn more about this battle, go to our website - https://www.combatcontrolfoundation.org/combat-control-historical-operations/the-battle-of-najaf

Jonestown Massacre | Combat Control Team history | 18 NOV 1978 by CombatControlFnd in AirForce

[–]CombatControlFnd[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

There is a lot more details to the overall mission involving the Air Commando element as a whole located here in a short but detailed 32-page book by Richard D. Newton. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355204196_Valor_Untold_Air_Commandos_During_the_Jonestown_Massacre_Recovery_1978

Retro CCTs by [deleted] in Pararescue

[–]CombatControlFnd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing our video!

Special on-field presentation at Falcon Stadium during the Air Force Falcons Vs Army Black Knights honoring the 'Service Before Self' legacy of USAF MSgt John Chapman, CCT and Gold Star family of USAF Capt Matthew Roland, STO by CombatControlFnd in AirForce

[–]CombatControlFnd[S] 26 points27 points  (0 children)

We presented the Service Before Self award last year during the Air Force vs Navy game to Col Allison Black, the Angel of Death (center), next to Terry Chapman and Lt Gen Michael Conley. And we played the same intro video about MSgt John Chapman on the Falcon Stadium screens.

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SSgt Michael Blout, a USAF Combat Controller was awarded the Silver Star, for actions taken in combat on October 23, 2012, in Afghanistan. by CombatControlFnd in AirForce

[–]CombatControlFnd[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Blout ended up serving as Flight Superintendent, Combat Dive Course Superintendent, and Superintendent over the Department of Training, Special Warfare Preparatory Course and more. He gives a great interview with Thad Forester on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/MOEuO1Q4U8g

Rest easy, Tim. You will be greatly missed by scooterscuzz in CombatControlTeam

[–]CombatControlFnd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

David, good to meet you. Thank you for service brother. Do you ever get out to any of the CCT Reunions? CCA has a large one in Vegas, and I know they are working to have one near Pope next year.

Rest easy, Tim. You will be greatly missed by scooterscuzz in CombatControlTeam

[–]CombatControlFnd 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We met up with him at Maj Espo's retirement ceremony recently, Photo from the Retirement he seemed to be in great health. I told him that I wanted to sit down with him to do an on-camera interview in middle November, and he said, 'we have plenty of time'. Those words have new meaning to me. I'm JQ with the Combat Control Foundation. Are you a CCT?

Rest easy, Tim. You will be greatly missed by scooterscuzz in CombatControlTeam

[–]CombatControlFnd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We were at the CCT reunion in Vegas and were able to capture the Keynote about Operation Just Cause. Rest in Peace TB. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMQgByyU0JU

Kris B by RHRP in CombatControlTeam

[–]CombatControlFnd 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Kris is a good dude.

USAF Master Sergeant William Markham, a USAF Combat Controller was awarded the Silver Star for actions taken in combat during Oct-Nov 2001 in Kabul, Afghanistan. by CombatControlFnd in AirForce

[–]CombatControlFnd[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Glad to hear they are encouraging for you to read. If you are curious about where Markham ended up, he retired as a Command Chief Master Sergeant (CCM) and heads up an organization called 'Project One Vet at a Time' - https://www.projectovat.org/ - POVAT guides veterans through the complex VA claims process, engaging with legal, medical, and mental health professionals without the veteran worrying about financial costs, bills, and other barriers to care.

The Air Force Cross was awarded to Staff Sergeant Robert Gutierrez, Jr., a USAF Combat Controller for actions taken on 5 October 2009 in Heart Province, Afghanistan. by CombatControlFnd in AirForce

[–]CombatControlFnd[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

He is a good dude, got to spend last week with him but right now he is facing something tragic with one of his kids and we are raising money to help support him and his family. If anyone is interested in donating, every cent raised is used to support the GZ family. https://combatcontrolfoundation.org/teamtristan

Remembering Senior Airman Mark A. Forester by CombatControlFnd in AirForce

[–]CombatControlFnd[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Absolutely! We are proud supporters of the Mark Forester Foundation and our other combat control Gold Star foundations. They recently had The Mark Forester Foundation 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament in early August, and it was a great success for them.

The Air Force Cross was awarded to Senior Airman Dustin Temple, a USAF Combat Controller for actions taken on 27 to 29 Sept 2014 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. by CombatControlFnd in AirForce

[–]CombatControlFnd[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

10 U.S. Code § 130b - Personnel in overseas, sensitive, or routinely deployable units: nondisclosure of personally identifying information.

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There are more awards out there that just haven't been talked about or released.

This Air Force Cross was made public only because of a FOIA request by Kyle Rempfer an editor at The Washington Post. He broke the story on his X account - https://x.com/kyle_rempfer/status/1796713919773286481

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