Team Hurlburt gathers to honor 1st SOSS "Rock"

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sheri Kangas
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  A memorial service was held for Coman "Rock" Rothrock's family and friends Monday at the Maritime Facility here. The service focused on a celebration of his life and was attended by more than 200 military members and civilians.

Mr. Rothrock passed away at approximately 2 a.m. Dec. 8 while doing what he loved: working as a support maritime supervisor in charge of all maritime operations in the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron.

Mr. Rothrock entered the Air Force Sept. 5, 1972, as a personnelist stationed at McDill Air Force Base, Fla. Upon his transfer to Eglin in 1974, he had the opportunity to transition to a Maritime Specialist.

The Pensacola native retired in 1996 as a senior master sergeant and returned in civil service.

He helped to train more than 1,500 aircrew members annually. He also provided joint and coalition ground elements extensive operational train-up prior to deploying into combat, according to Lt. Col. Phil Locklear, 1st SOSS commander.

"His 14 years at Hurlburt Field helped define and shape the overall success of 1st Special Operations Wing combat operations around the globe," Colonel Locklear said during the memorial service.

Mr. Rothrock became the centerpiece for helicopter support over-water, water survival training, plus water personnel and equipment airdrops.

In addition, he augmented combat survival training, maritime boat escort (helicopter & AC-130 gunship), opposing forces, and put on some of the best combat demonstrations distinguished visitors have ever seen, according to Colonel Locklear. "Give Rock a stage and he could perform," Colonel Locklear said.

"He developed relationships with some of our most distinguished joint players. Rock never played the part of your standard Air Force member; he seemed more of a Seaman or Vietnam Era 'River-Rat' in many ways."

To the colonel and Mr. Rothrock's comrades, he was at home when he was piloting the 32 foot boats, covering MH-53 PAVE LOW helo night over-water low and slows, or on night vision goggles slashing through the Yellow River while guiding five other vessels in the rigid inflatable hull boat, all the while on-board combat survival students experienced the blacked-out twist and turns of a high speed boat rescue.

"Rock made these potentially hazardous operations safe, simple and harmless.

"His safety record was immaculate," Colonel Locklear said.

"On Thursday morning at approximately 2 a.m. Rock stood on the river's edge, a (Navy) Seal by his side, with assault riverine vessels approaching in the darkness, his Maritime boats and opposing forces in hiding, ready to engage...at that moment Rock was doing what he was born to do. Rock sails on and lives in us all."

Rock is survived by his wife, Harriet and daughter, Margaret Ann.