Air Force Combat Controller Medal of Honor

Well deserved for a true Warrior...
 
Seals are a complicated bunch, and the interservice rivalry on display in this instance is an embarrassment to us all as members of the us military. For full disclosure I am an Airman and so was the tech sergeant left behind by the seals.

The recommendation for the seal team leader to get the medal of honor seems out of place and paints the department of the navy in poor light. I understand navy spec ops are folk legends in our pop culture, but to slander/scoff at other branches in order to preserve the navy demigods is a bridge too far for me. Ref Chris Kyle, the ranger killed by two seals, et al ad nauseam.

As to medals, they're a bit of propaganda for the masses, but I understand the psychological need for them. The big boy world is grey and doesn't have the luxury of moral purity. War is hell and I don't wish that on anyone (unlike certain defense contractors who love it.... and I digress).
 
There is a lot of... politics behind the use of special ops teams, and each branch vies for opportunities to use their own. It is actually fairly illogical to use Seals in desert warfare, and it is also fairly illogical for the Air Force to have special ops combat troops, and I don't say this to demean or minimalize their actions, which were all heroic. For example, the raid on Bin Laden's compound would have been a natural mission for Special Forces or Delta operators, but, it was the Navy's turn.
 
For many years in the 80"s and early 90's no one wanted to support their ops or did so begrudgingly...screw ups in Grenada and Panama was the mantra...they have rehabbed that but politics of this is a disappointment.
 
mscard88 said:
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LOL. I pretty much think it’s somebody else’s turn to go do some Team America World Police crap.

They haven’t had their shot to run themselves into trillions in debt for their “allies” yet. And most of them get like ten weeks of vacation a year so they won’t even harm GDP. Just cancel “holiday”.
 
mscard88 said:
RIP. A true American Warrior who gave his life for our freedoms.
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I didn’t realize we were in open war with congress in Afghanistan!

<ducks>

Seriously though, RIP to this brave warrior. Glad he is getting honored in a way befitting a hero.
 
Lone Survivor. It's a book. Kinda on the subject here. Movie to. Read the book first.
 
I read about this in a book on the Night Stalkers IIRC.

Nice to see that Mattis reviewed this and it sounds like the award was proper. RIP.
 
Interestingly enough, they also did approve the MoH for Master Chief Slabinsky who was present at the WH as part of the same award ceremony.
 
Sac Arrow said:
and it is also fairly illogical for the Air Force to have special ops combat troops
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Do you understand the purpose of those guys?

Guys like Tech Sgt Chapman are forward controllers trained to coordinate airstrikes. They have special warfare training to keep up the SEALS or Rangers or whoever they need to pair them with.

Their purpose isn’t to be an elite Air Force unit that goes in covertly to close a business deal on a new golf course.....
 
hindsight2020 said:
Seals are a complicated bunch, and the interservice rivalry on display in this instance is an embarrassment to us all as members of the us military. For full disclosure I am an Airman and so was the tech sergeant left behind by the seals.
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For full disclosure, I’m a Navy guy and I’m frankly embarrassed by how the SEAL leadership has handled this.

I don’t believe that Master Chief Slabinsky necessarily screwed up and knowingly or incompetently left a man to die. I suspect he really did believe Chapman was dead and I suspect that it haunts him to this day.

But why the SEAL community felt the need to try and refute or subdue the evidence that Chapman was still alive and fighting on, is extremely disappointing.
 
Fearless Tower said:
For full disclosure, I’m a Navy guy and I’m frankly embarrassed by how the SEAL leadership has handled this.

I don’t believe that Master Chief Slabinsky necessarily screwed up and knowingly or incompetently left a man to die. I suspect he really did believe Chapman was dead and I suspect that it haunts him to this day.

But why the SEAL community felt the need to try and refute or subdue the evidence that Chapman was still alive and fighting on, is extremely disappointing.
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Retired Air Force, know a few former CCT members. This whole deal sucked once the SEAL leaders attempted to suppress this incident to protect their rep. Sickening.
 
Sac Arrow said:
There is a lot of... politics behind the use of special ops teams, and each branch vies for opportunities to use their own. It is actually fairly illogical to use Seals in desert warfare, and it is also fairly illogical for the Air Force to have special ops combat troops, and I don't say this to demean or minimalize their actions, which were all heroic. For example, the raid on Bin Laden's compound would have been a natural mission for Special Forces or Delta operators, but, it was the Navy's turn.
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Well, tell that to the Army and Marine grunts in a fire fight, hell even a SEAL team, and that embedded Combat Controller calls in a AC-130 Gunship or an A-10. Or that soldier shot up and an Air Force UH60 rescues him with Pararescue (PJs) who risk their lives to save others, as well as the rescue pilots flying the 60. Truth is, the Grenada disaster showed what you are referring to as everyone wanted to get some back then. I think the leadership realized better coordination of joint forces was needed, and it's better now.
 
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hindsight2020 said:
Seals are a complicated bunch, and the interservice rivalry on display in this instance is an embarrassment to us all as members of the us military. For full disclosure I am an Airman and so was the tech sergeant left behind by the seals.
).
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Retired USAF MSgt myself, well said.
 
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