On July 6 , 2021, Colonel (Ret) Lucien passed away peacefully with his wife Dorothy by his side. He was born on October 19, 1928 in Tampa Florida to Lucien and Myrtle Byron. He graduated from Florida Military Academy and then attended The Citadel in Charleston South Carolina and the University of Florida. In 1949, he…
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Job Openings at Hoplite Group
The Hoplite Group, a growing veteran-owned small business is currently seeking the right person for two (2) separate positions. • A Unit Deployment Manager (Logistician) in support of a customer at Duke Field, Florida. Salary: $36-38K Annual (DOE) Click here to apply • A Junior Program Manager Salary: $48 - 52K a year. to support…
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Col Richard K. Knowles 1940 – 2021
Richard K. Knowles, Colonel, USAF Retired, went to be with the Lord on the morning of April 8, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Doreen Carter Knowles; one daughter, Karen Kai Lee Knowles Pappas (Michael) of Richmond, VA; two sons, Richard Carter Knowles of Wilmington, NC and Kenneth Davis Knowles (Kathy)…
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Samuel A. Messel
September 22, 1940 - July 07, 2021 Samuel Anthony Messel, 80, husband of Charlotte Kathryn Perret Messel, died Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Born September 22, 1940 in Vincennes, Indiana, Mr. Messel was a son of the late Jess Lorenzo Messel and Ida Elizabeth Hatton Messel. He honorably served his country in the US Air Force…
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Remembering Joyce Harrington
Ms. Joyce Harrington was truly one of the most dedicated volunteers of the Air Commando Association. With over 12 years logged as the Commando Store Manager, volunteering at countless social events, and helping hundreds of members during her time with us, we will miss Joyce deeply. Joyce always had a warm smile and a sincere…
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Air Park/Air Commando Heritage Event
ACA members from the local Fort Walton Beach area gathered on a beautiful June morning to informally speak to groups of AFSOC aircrew students about their experiences flying on AFSOC platforms & what it means to be an Air Commando. This was a squadron-level heritage event geared towards developing AFSOC aircrew students and the theme…
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Groundbreaking AFSOC pilot retires
U.S. Air Force Col. Shelley Woodworth, formerly Col. Rodriguez, retired after almost 29 years of dedicated service to the United States Air Force and Air Force Special Operations Command on Nov. 23, 2020. Woodworth was the first female pilot in AFSOC, flying the MC-130P/J Combat Shadow, and went on to a distinguished career as a command pilot with over 3,500 flying hours, serving in Operations PROVIDE COMFORT, EAGLE GUARD, NORTHERN…
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MH-53M wash day!
A dedicated group from the Pave Low community showed up at the Armament Museum located in Shalimar, FL on a beautiful spring day in May to wash the MH-53M. It was one hour of washing followed by 1 hour of war stories. Chester Fleming was the ringleader and attracted the likes of Steve Connelly, Dave…
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ACA at 58 SOW Professional Organization Day
The 58th SOW hosted a professional organization day. As part of building leaders and professionals grounded in their community’s culture the 58th took the opportunity to expose their team to professional and helping organizations. For this first iteration the Wing had the Air Commando Association, Air Force Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of…
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James D. ‘Kit’ Carson Lt Col, USAF (Ret)
February 3, 1932 – April 27, 2021 Born in New Dover, Ohio to Esther and Don Carson. Graduated High School in Bellefontaine, OH and The Ohio State University. He was an Eagle Scout and a Shriner. He was also a member of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and while there operated a photography studio. In…
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