SOF truths set Air Commandos apart

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Four Air Commandos - two from a previous era and two still on active duty - attached personal meaning Nov. 15 to the four "truths" associated with special operations forces.

Retired Col. Kent Mueller and retired Chief Master Sgt. Gordon Scott joined Lt. Col. Michael D'Argenio, 319th Special Operations Squadron commander, and Senior Master Sgt. William Turner, 16th SOS, as speakers at the Through the Eyes of a Commando speech series sponsored by the 1st Special Operations Wing History Office.

At the outset, Maj. Gen. Donald Wurster, himself an Air Commando and former commander of the 16th SOW, framed the evening's goal - developing the next generation of Air Force and Air Commando leaders. He said, "Cut thumbs and become blood brothers with these men."

Each of the speakers dissected a SOF truth, telling stories and explaining their thoughts to the assembled crowd of 100-plus Airmen and spouses in the base theater.

Chief Scott covered "Humans are more important than hardware." With his experience as a supply troop and loadmaster, the chief said, "It's knowing your senior leaders are taking care of you and looking forward."

The second truth, addressed by Sergeant Turner, is "Quality is better than quantity." He recalled having 10 years of training before his first combat mission in the opening stages of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Now, we're sending Airmen into battle three weeks after completing training. Focus on getting these people quality training on the front end," he said.

Boiling down the truth of "competent special operations forces cannot be created after a crisis occurs," Colonel D'Argenio recounted how the 319th SOS fielded the U-28A in minimum time.

As a second generation Air Commando, Colonel Mueller spoke to "special operations forces cannot be mass produced."

"It's a culture; an identity," he said. "The over-the-edge, running with a rucksack is part of who we are. That can't be pulled out of a bag at AFPC."

The SOF truths, touted as axioms to the special operations community, became more than simple catch phrases as the experienced Air Commandos spoke, and Col. Norman Brozenick, 1st SOW commander, wrapped up the evening with a series of introspective questions aimed at prodding the Airmen in the audience into believing in the Air Commando brotherhood.

He asked: "What are my personal and professional aim points?" "What are my contributions?" "Am I really nugging it out?" "Am I ready to accomplish the unbelievable?"