Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
6/10/2013 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- A former Air Force Special Operations Command loadmaster was recently recognized for more than 25 years of service with the special operations community by induction into the Commando Hall of Honor.
Retired Chief Master Sgt. Gordon Scott was inducted into the United States Special Operations Command Hall of Honor during the 2013 Special Operations Forces Industry Conference gala dinner in Tampa, Fla.
The Commando Hall of Honor recognizes the accomplishments of those who have made unique and prestigious contributions to the special operations community.
"This is one of the greatest honors I've received," Scott said. "I'm very humbled by the fact that my name is on a wall with so many warriors who have given so much to make special operations and AFSOC what it is today."
Scott was inducted to the Commando Hall of Honor for having a heavy hand in developing the tactics, techniques, and procedures used by special operations aviators today, according to Chief Master Sgt. Gregg Jones, 1st Expeditionary Special Operations Wing command chief, who nominated him for this honor.
As an NCO, Scott was involved in combat operations in Grenada, Bolivia, Honduras, Kuwait and Iraq.
During Desert Storm, he flew more than 40 combat sorties, including the airdrop of three BLU-82s (15,000-pound bombs) and more than 10 million leaflets leading to the mass defection of enemy troops and an unprecedented quick coalition victory, Jones said.
As a senior NCO, Scott flew combat missions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Bosnia, Kosovo, Republic of Congo and Afghanistan.
"During Enduring Freedom, he flew eight pivotal missions, delivering time-critical resources to Operation Detachment Alpha Teams, which were operating deep inside Afghanistan," Jones said.
What's more, Scott and the crew of "Whisk 05" were awarded the 1997 MacKay Trophy for a mission into the Republic of Congo. This trophy, which is kept on display in the Smithsonian, is awarded for the most meritorious U.S. Air Force flight of the year.
Although Scott retired from active duty in 2005, he has continued to work in support of special operations.
"I've been hooked since 1987, and I still believe in the special operations mission," Scott said. "After 18 years with AFSOC, it was a logical transition to continue my involvement."
Following his retirement from active duty, Scott spent more than five years as the course director for the Special Operations Combating Terrorism Course at the Joint Special Operations University, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. In this capacity, he was responsible for educating more than 400 international officers from 80 different countries.
Now, he is working as a curriculum developer for NATO Special Operation Forces, and he said he plans to stay as long as possible.
"I've been so fortunate to have worked with the best aircrews, maintainers, operators, loggies, and all of the other agencies that were critical to successful mission execution," he said. "Every day I think about all the great commanders, chiefs, supervisors, Airmen, warriors in harm's way, and warriors we've lost. This honor is theirs and I'm grateful to have been a part of
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment