ACJ Vol 13/1

Welcome to this issue of your Air Commando Journal. Up first, the ACA’s new Chairman of the Board, Maj Gen Bill Holt, USAF (retired), introduces himself to the members in this issue’s Chindit Chatter. We also feature a SITREP, which provides a short overview of the mission and goals of the newly formed Air Commando Heritage Foundation.
Getting into the articles, and not in any particular order, we take a look at three cases of irregular warfare in action. Lt Col Joe Tomczak provides a “Bias for Understanding: The Irregular Warfare Mindset in the Indo-Pacific.” His article examines five leadership traits of two renowned Airmen, Maj Gen Edward Lansdale and Lt Gen Donald Wurster during irregular warfare campaigns in the Philippines during the Hukbalahap Insurrection (1946-1953) and early in the Global War or Terror against the Abu Sayyaf Group. Tomczak focuses on the leadership and success of both Airmen to bring about stability by working in partnership with the Philippine government. Fast-forward to today, accomplished author, retired Colonel Mike Haas, shines a light on the brutal attack of 7 October 2023 by Hamas on the nation of Israel. Haas analyzes this 21st century style of IW and how the Israeli Defense Force and the US attempt to combat the unprovoked asymmetric aggression on land and at sea.
Next, taking a look back at the first major combat operation of the newly created US Special Operations Command Lt Gen Bruce Fister, Air Commando and former AFSOC commander, provides his insights and perspectives as a senior officer involved in leading our joint special operations force during Operation Just Cause in December of 1989.
In his “The Mighty Roar of the Dragon,” retired Colonel Mike Russell provides another look at the U-28A. Russell recaps the metamorphosis of the PC-12 into the U-28A and how it received the “Draco” moniker. He also recaps some of the tough missions taken on around the world highlighting the great success and recognition of several Draco aircrews. One crew was awarded the Mackay Trophy for the most meritorious mission in 2018. Three other aircrews’ courage and resourcefulness was conspicuously displayed while supporting the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Kabul, Afghanistan in August 2021. For their actions during that chaotic operation, all ten crew members were awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Rounding out the issue we have 1st Lt Remington Sawed’s short article recounting the 352nd Special Operations Wing’s participation in the recent celebration of the legendary Chindits from 1944. He highlights our Air Commando’s historical ties and partnership with England and her Chindits over the decades. Additionally, we feature two photo essays of today’s Air Commandos and joint partners from Special Operations Command Europe in Exercise Trojan Footprint ‘24 and closer to home, Special Operations Command North during Exercise Arctic Edge ‘24.
Finally, Scott McIntosh provides a review of Fly By Knights: Air Force A/B/RB-26 Air Commando Missions in the Vietnam War. The book is an outstanding collection of “war stories” written by some of the men who flew the A/B-26 in Vietnam, collected and edited by retired Col Roger D. Graham.
In closing, our goal at the ACA is to inform and educate our readers about our tremendous Air Commando history and heritage, and also provide insight into more recent operations. Let us know how we are doing. Thank you to all our great retired and active duty contributors for another great issue of the Air Commando Journal.
PS — I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Col Larry Ropka’s new book My Thirty Year Journey in the Shadows of Special Operations Giants and Richard Newton’s Valor Untold: Air Commandos During the Jonestown Massacre Recovery, 1978. Details on the back inside cover. All proceeds support the Air Commando Association.

Interactive ACJ 13/1 PDF Available Here

We have improved the readability of our ACJ Online, open the PDF and scroll to page 3 (Table of Contents) and click on any headline and it will take you directly to that article in the PDF. Look for more interactive features in the next online issue of the Journal.