7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS March 2013
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7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
“Adapt or Perish”
7th Commander’s Page
By Lt Col William C. “Clay” Freeman, USAF AFSOC, 7th SOS/CC
The 7th continues to epitomize the SOF ethos of "building relationships" by conducting a D-Day Remembrance fly
past with 300 attendees, led a 2-ship to the Royal International Air Tattoo (175,000 people attended), and hosted
personnel from RAF 47 Squadron, Norwegian SOF, and a German C-160 crew.
The 7 SOS attempts to strike a balance between mission and family throughout the year by hosting some family-
friendly events; specifically: a children's Easter egg hunt and winter holiday party, a pig roast, squadron BBQs, a
monthly spouse's coffee & lunch event, and some commander spouse’s calls. We also embrace education in the
squadron and our members completed two CCAF degrees, 14 professional military education degrees, 12 crew
position upgrades, and 52 advanced academic degree credit-hours (plus several spouses pursuing their degrees).
The 7th supports our community and volunteers at the quarterly base Hearts Apart dinners, raised over $7.7K for
the AF Assistance Fund, $6.4K Combined Federal Campaign (Capt Allan is the Team Mildenhall CFC POC), and
$2.9K for the Special Operations Warrior Foundation and 41-hours volunteering for the Airman Against Drunk
Driving program.
7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
7th Commander’s Page (cont.)
By Lt Col William C. “Clay” Freeman, USAF AFSOC, 7th SOS/CC
Our 7 SOS members are "fit to fight" and embrace physical fitness; this is exemplified by 64% of the
squadron earning an overall “Excellent” on their USAF Fitness Assessment (score > 90%).
The SOT7 superior performers were recognized outside of the squadron and garnered one Team Milden-
hall award (Capt Davidson), five group-level quarterly awards (Capts Rodriguez and McCormack, MSgt
Weiss, Mrs. Crystal Timmsen, and Mrs. Melissa Hartman) and the deployed NCO of the month award
(SSgt Mike Wilson).
Lastly, the 7 SOS is AFSOC’s nominee for the 2012 Air Force Association’s Citation of Honor Award.
As you can see, 2012 was a banner year for the squadron.
In 2013, I expect us to rise up and meet new challenges, and of course, raise the “7th Standard.” AoP.
Talon II Aviators Race MCM for SOWF
Just ahead of "Extra tropical" Storm Sandy, seven current and former C-130 aviators ran the
37th Annual USMC Marathon in memory of
CHARIOT 55 - June 2, 2002, and TALON
13 - August 7, 2002.
The team, running in support of the Special
Operations Warrior Foundation, included
several former members of the 7 SOS (and
one Coastie, my beautiful wife, Sue).
We had a great time running in a great race,
and for a great cause. Thanks to all who
supported the team and our fallen comrades.
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7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
Former CSAF Nominated for The Order of the Sword
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- With no stars, bars, eagles or oak leafs among
their multitude of stripes, the enlisted force of the Air Force Special Operations
Command nominated their former Chief of Staff of the Air Force for his induc-
tion into The Order of the Sword at Hurlburt Field Nov. 15.
Retired Gen. Norton Schwartz, accompanied by his wife, Suzie, accepted the
nomination from Chief Master Sgt. Bill Turner, command chief of AFSOC, in
front of more than 300 Air Commandos who lined the road along the distin-
guished visitor quarters' parking lot.
"We thank you for your 39 years of service," Turner said. "For those 39 years,
you and Mrs. Schwartz were our best teammates. You gave it your all and took The Order of the Sword
great care of this force. And because of you, we are the Air Force that we are." is the highest honor the
enlisted corps can be-
The command chief then presented Schwartz, who served three tours at Hurlburt stow upon an individual
in recognition of signifi-
Field, a plaque bearing the nomination on behalf of the 11,000 enlisted men and
cant contributions to the
women serving around the world under the AFSOC enterprise. enlisted force.
3
7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
Lockheed Martin delivered the 15th
MC-130J Commando II aircraft to AFSOC
Testers Give Thumbs Up to New Rescue and Commando Airplanes:
Air Force operational testers have certified that the service's new HC-130J Combat
King II rescue aircraft and MC-130J Commando II special-mission tanker are "effective,
suitable, and mission capable," announced Lockheed Martin, the airplanes' manufacturer,
on Nov. 1.
The certification came in October, according to the company. The Air Force is currently
recapitalizing its legacy HC-130s and MC-130s with the new-build Combat King IIs and
Commando IIs. These platforms are modified variants of the basic C-130J airframe.
Lockheed Martin is currently on contract for 15 HC-130Js and 27 MC 130Js.
Overall, the Air Force has plans to procure 37 HC-130Js and 85 MC-130Js. Sixteen of the
MC-130Js are slated to undergo post-production conversion to AC-130J “Ghostrider”
gunships.
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7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
7TH ACS NEWSLETTER
BOARD OFFICERS CONTRIBUTORS
President - Buff Underwood BUFF
UNDERWOOD
Vice -President - Omar Bradley Our fearless leader and
2014 Reunion Chairman
Secretary - Alan Goldsborough as well as our CT Memo-
rial Rock Developer.
Treasurer - Max Friedauer
MAX
Board Members - FRIEDAUER
Barry “B-Rat” Ratcliffe Treasurer and Data-
Richard “Dick” Guessford base Mgr. for the 7th
Ned Calvert ACS & CTMF
Pickens M. “Pick” Ferrell
Andrew “Drew” Cunnar
George Ferkes
Lt. Col Clay Freeman BILL “HOLLYWOOD”
FOWLER
Publisher & Editor of the
7th ACS Newsletter
Note From the Editor:
As the Publisher & Editor of the 7th ACS
newsletter, I depend on all of my fellow 7th LT COL WILLIAM
ACS members for inputs for the newsletter “CLAY” FREEMAN
- it’s not my newsletter, it’s ours’. 7th SOS Commander,
7th ACS Board Mem-
So please help me with getting a current ber & great supporter.
“SITREP” on what’s happening within our
Talon Family.
Load’s Clear!
“Hollywood”
Feedback is always welcome…...
5
7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
President’s Letter
Greetings 7th ACS Troops
First I want to thank our new editor and publisher “Hollywood” Fowler. This is his
second publishing and once again he has produced a great product. Thanks
Hollywood!!!!
Congratulations to the 7TH SOS. You are the “HEAT”!!!
Lt Col Freeman thanks for your Commander’s Page input. It is very important that the 7th ACS hears what is hap-
pening on the front so to speak. We live vicariously through your activities and we truly enjoy hearing about the
successes of the 7TH SOS. We wish all of you the very best of everything and pray that you are all ‘safe home’
from all of your adventures.
Once again Max has put together a great piece about our Reunion 2014 and you should all be rushing to your
computers to sign up and reserve a room at the Ramada on the beach. We will have a ball. Rumor has it that the
Good Beer Blimp (AKA Fulton Balloon) may make a return visit. Who knows?
The financial reports show that we are in good shape to support the next reunion and our funding of the CTMF is
very good. We have over $29K from only 278 Donors. As we bring this memorial to fruition we will need more
of you to step up and donate to make this the best “Rock” in the park. As you well know it is a fitting memorial to
all that have made the ultimate sacrifice and to all others who have flown the Combat Talon Mission. This is your
“Rock”, let’s make it happen. George Ferkes and I are working the documents to present for approval to the air-
park council and expect to have all of that leg work completed by the end of April. There are a lot of moving parts
that have to come together to make this happen and we are on it.
For those of you that are enduring the cold grasp of winter we hope it warms up for you soon. For those of us liv-
ing here in paradise, well we won’t rub it in :-)!!! As you may know, most of us do not go North of I-10 after
1 November!!!
Please visit the Country Store! Lily, Max’s lovely wife is after him to move some of the goods so she has more
room! Let’s help him out. The new golf shirts for both men and women are outstanding Eileen and I have 2 each
and they are the best shirts I have. Max, did I mention what a great job you do for us all? No, ok, GOOD JOB!!!
Any and all funds you put into the Country Store helps all of us put on bigger and better reunions as it is our seed
money to start things rolling so it all goes back to you in the end.
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7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
President’s Letter (cont.)
On Max’s “TDY” Sites to Visit make sure you click on the hot link for “C-130E(I) Combat Talon I (1965-1972)”
Ron Rowe has put together an outstanding video depicting our heritage from those years. Can’t thank you enough
Ron. Great work!!!!!
As many of you know we lost a great friend last year in John Lewis. John was the Texas Instrument radar guy at
Na Trang for some time and then when he came back to the states he went to work for LAS in that same position.
Through the years John became a program manager for LAS and was tasked to make a large number of our up-
grades to the Talon happen. John was my boss for Project 46 and many other adventures for the Talon community
at LAS. Because of John, we, the Talon community enjoyed quality products out of LAS.
John lost his battle with Prostate Cancer and we send prayers to his Family.
Do I have to tell you guys to go get it checked!!! Go now!!!
Well, this is all the space that Hollywood would give me :-), so I will sign off for now and hope that I see your
registration for the reunion on Max’s spread sheet real soon. Let’s make this a really special reunion that brings
our whole family together to share good times and great memories.
Lt Col Freeman, I know how hard it is to schedule “over water trainers” but, if you could manage we would truly
love to host a 7th SOS Crew at the reunion. Keep the faith Sir as we have the 7th SOS’s back!
Buff sends…
God Bless
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7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
2014 Reunion Reminder
DON’T MISS THE NEXT REUNION, 15-
18 MAY 2014 …..AT THE RAMADA
PLAZA BEACH RESORT ON
OKALOOSA ISLAND.
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7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
2014 7 SOS AND ALL COMBAT TALON REUNION
By: Max Friedauer
Put it on your Calendar, 15-18 May 2014! We are well into the planning for our BIG 2014 reunion and we
need you to help us spread the word. As in the past, we post it all on FaceBook at our “Sons of the 7th,”
“Blackbird Talons,” and “Special Ops Past and Present” pages as well as our own website on http://7thsos.org.
We will post ads in AFA Magazine, Hurlburt & Eglin base papers, local paper, and we’ll put flyers out on Hurl-
burt Field and Duke Field. I will also send e-mails to every member in our database. Unfortunately, about 5%
change their e-mail every year and don’t let me know and many mailing addresses are out of date as well. The
BIG reunion next year will once again be back at the RAMADA Plaza Beach Resort as it was in 2000 and 2002
(http://www.ramadafwb.com) on Okaloosa Island. We will have a sit-down dinner in the ballroom and music
for some entertainment and dancing. Many of you asked that we go back to the RAMADA and we listened! So
get ready to party, swim in the magnificent pool and Emerald sparkling Gulf of Mexico. You can make your
hotel or motor home (across the street from the Hotel) reservations now. You can now call 850-243-9161 or
800-874-8962 and tell them you are with the "7th SOS Reunion." Request Credit Card, with one night's deposit,
NOT be charged until 30 days prior to first night’s stay. The Cancellation Policy applies if canceling within
72hrs and a forfeit of one night’s deposit will automatically be charged to your card. The Basic Rate for rooms
is $144 (two double beds), and rooms in the Tower Pool view are $164 and ocean view are $184 (All rooms in
tower come with 2 queen beds). Make your plans, reserve the date, and join us and many of the 7 SOS Com-
manders. Contact me at max@7thsos.org, or 850-543-0475. Prices and more details to follow this summer. We
will go all out for next year!
2013 Stray Goose International (SGI) Reunion
By: Max Friedauer
The Stray Goose International (SGI) will conduct their annual reunion in conjunction with the Air Commando
Association (ACA) Reunion and Convention on Columbus Day Weekend 11-13 October 2013. As in the past,
there will be no advanced registration and, at least as of now, they have not entered into any hotel deals. SGI
will be advertising the Reunion as the 2013 SGI Reunion (but open to all Talon personnel and supporters) and
not as an "All Combat Talon" reunion. Their decision was based on turnout and feedback from the 2011 event.
SGI concluded that holding two "All Talon" events 7 months apart just isn't working as well as they initially
envisioned, especially for those from out of town. They’ll keep you posted as they develop their weekend
agenda. For now, mark your calendars and plan to join SGI for another great weekend of camaraderie, story
telling, and merriment. The SGI will most likely conduct their reunion again at the Hurlburt Picnic Grounds
and give you the option to attend the ACA Banquet Dinner at the Emerald Coast Convention Center on Satur-
day, October 12th or stay at the picnic grounds for a pig roast. Contact Lee “Papasan” Hess for questions or
additional details at papasan@mc130.com.
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7th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
Combat Talon Memorial Foundation (CTMF)
Dear Combat Talon Memorial Committee,
Yes, you can count on me to make a donation to the Combat Talon Memorial Foundation whose goal is to
design and erect a memorial to honor all Combat Talon warriors and especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
A special commemorative coin will be presented to anyone making a minimum $20 donation.
The concept for a memorial has been briefed and coordinated with the Hurlburt Air Park Committee and MC-130E (Aircraft #
64-0567) has already been placed and dedicated in the Hurlburt Field Memorial Air Park. We hope to provide much more detail on
the Memorial during the 7th or Combat Talon Reunions and updates will also be provided via the 7th ACS/SOS, SGI, and
Combat Talon Memorial Foundation organizational websites and Face Book pages and newsletters.
□ Enclosed is a one time donation of $ . Please make check payable to “CTMF” and mail with this form to:
Max Friedauer
10 Ridgelake Dr
Mary Esther, FL 32569-1658
max@7thsos.org
850.243.1343
□ I would like to make this a recurring donation. I pledge $ for years for a total do-
nation of $ .
□ I would like to make a gift In Honor or In Memory of a Combat Talon warrior.
To make a donation in honor or in memory of someone, please indicate in the space below.
□ I would like my contribution honoring a Combat Talon warrior to be acknowledged by the Combat talon
Memorial Foundation.
□ I understand that while no formal recognition of my contribution in memory of someone will be made on the memorial itself,
the Combat Talon Memorial Foundation may publish my name/designation on their website and in their newsletters.
Donor Information:
Name:
Address:
City:
Zip/Postal:
Phone:
Email:
Please indicate your affiliation with Combat Talons (squadron/years/duty position/family member):
107th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
Combat Talon Memorial Foundation (CTMF)
Thanks to the 279 current contributors to the Combat Talon Memorial Foundation. We in-
vite everyone to join in making this memorial a reality.
The Foundation’s goal is to Honor the entire Combat Talon community: Past, Present and Future.
The stone “Rock” specifically memorializes those Combat Talon members lost during flight
operations.
Your generosity will result in the creation of this memorial to the Combat Talon legacy.
Above is the latest “draft” depiction of the stone. While there are still modifications being
considered for the final art, this is the committee’s basic layout and recommendation. Current-
ly it needs to be downscaled to be more inline with other like memorials in the Hurlburt Air-
park.
Again, thank you for your continued contributions and commitment to our effort and
we can assure you that you will be proud of the Memorial, whatever the final approval
is. It will be a lasting testament to the dedication, valor, and sacrifice of the Combat
Talon Community.
In the meantime, your funds are secured and are safe with in the Eglin Federal Credit Union
Money Market.
Most Respectively Yours,
Buff Underwood
117th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
Financial Report Combat Talon Memorial Foundation (CTMF)
By Max Friedauer, Treasurer
Donations have stopped coming in, but we do appreciate every donation and continue to record those we on rare occasions get. If you made a
Recurring Gift and are behind in your payments or can’t remember what you committed to, please send me an e-mail and I’ll be happy to
bring you up to date with your status of giving. Your money continues to be safe and is on deposit as indicated below. Again, unfortunately,
we are still waiting for Hurlburt Airpark Committee to give us a review and permission to build the Memorial to ALL Combat Talon warri-
ors. We have not expended any funds since the last report in August 2012. A/C 64-0523 is progressing well at Cannon AFB, NM and you
can follow it’s progress on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/324930197582243/.
Combat Talon Memorial Foundation (CTMF) Balance Sheet
As of: 31 January 2013
ACTIVITY DATE ACTUAL COST REMARKS
Checking Account Balance 1/31/13 $5,450.48 To date there are 278 Donors
Money Market Account Balance 1/31/13 $24,200.58
Savings Account 1/31/13 $100.36
TOTAL: $29,751.42
MAJOR EXPENSES SINCE 31 August 2012
NONE
Financial Report 7th Air Commando Society (7 ACS)
By Max Friedauer, Treasurer
We are in good financial standing thanks to you, our faithful members! Our current balance as of 31 January 2013 is $11,685.14. Our major
expense since the last report 1 September 2012 has only been reunion expenses and Country Store postage.
The Reunion brought in $9,645.00 and our expenses totaled $7,764.70 giving us a $1,880.30 profit. this profit will be donated plus an addi-
tional $619.70 for a total of $2,500 to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF).
7th Air Commando Society (7 ACS)
Balance Sheet as of 31 January 2013
BALANCE
ACTUAL
ACTIVITY DATE COST REMARKS
Checking Account Balance 1/31/13 $6,542.96
Money Market Account Balance 1/31/13 $5,041.78
Savings Account Balance 1/31/13 $100.40
TOTAL: $11,685.14
MAJOR EXPENSES SINCE 31 AUGUST 2012
7 SOS Table for SOWF Dinner 10/9/12 $2,500.00
Postage and Country Store items Oct-Dec 12 $363.50
127th AIR COMMANDO NEWS
March 2013
http://www.7thsos.org
“TDY” Sites to Visit
7th Country Store -
There is a lot to purchase and you can get a complete list with prices and quantity just by logging in at:
http://www.7thsos.org/inside/index.php?nav=44
7th ACS Gallery -
Check out the Gallery too. we have all the 7th Songs by “Papa Joe” Sheldon, movies, and lots of pictures.
Check it out at:
http://www.7thsos.org/inside/index.php?nav=29
C-130E(I) Combat Talon I (1965-1972)-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhbUlgjAapY
Hurlburt Warrior -
http://www.hurlburtwarrior.com/
Complete List of Combat Talon I Aircraft by Tail Number and Current Status -
http://www.7thsos.org/inside/aynnyd/uploaded/pdfs/ct_i_by_tail__roster_2.pdf
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