Please join the Air Force Special Operations family in congratulating this year’s special operations legends:

Technical Sergeant Sean M. Corlew distinguished himself through meritorious achievement as an MC-130E/H Loadmaster and made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of his nation. He embodied the Combat Talon motto of “The Guts to Try” and could be counted on to be the first to volunteer for any mission. During his service, he contributed to major combat and contingency operations across the globe. Sergeant Corlew loaded three MC-130Es, resulting in the infiltration of Army Ranger tactical vehicles and a Forward Area Refueling Point supporting AH-6 Little Bird gunships on the seizure of Rio Hato Airfield in the opening hours of Operation Just Cause in Panama. In Operation Desert Storm, Sergeant Corlew and his crew conducted multiple PSYOP leaflet drops and delivered three 15,000-pound BLU-82 bombs, which resulted in the surrender of over 80,000 Iraqi soldiers. Sergeant Corlew flew the first major offensive of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Army Ranger airborne raid on Objective Rhino in Afghanistan, and the first BLU-82 airdrop by a MC-130H in combat. This mission aided the Northern Alliance in regaining control of Mazar-E-Sharif from the Taliban. As loadmaster during that mission, he earned the distinction of being the only Combat Talon crewmember to drop the BLU-82 in separate conflicts. Sergeant Corlew and two others were lost in a mishap while exfiltrating a Special Forces team in Afghanistan. Technical Sergeant Sean M. Corlew’s legacy of exemplary service and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Commandos of all generations.

Master Sergeant Paul L. Fremstad, USAF (retired) has served our nation with honor and distinction for 48 years, including active duty and government employee service. Early in his military career Sergeant Fremstad supported the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) in Vietnam, and on a subsequent tour monitored the Son Tay prison camp for intelligence activity prior to Operation Ivory Coast, the attempt to rescue American POWs from the site. As an intelligence expert, he wrote the book supporting the Air Force special operations forces introducing radar predictions for the MH-53H Pave Low and establishing standardized target materials to support operational planning. During Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada, Sergeant Fremstad was the lead intelligence planner supporting the operation, where he assisted in tactics development, enabling aircraft to avoid known air defenses. Further, he was a critical team member in the stand-up of four special access programs for the special operations community and augmented the 21st Special Operations Squadron for missions during Operation Desert Storm launching operational missions from Turkey. Upon retirement from active duty, he spent more than 20 years working as a government employee, providing signature management, operations security, and force protection plans training for our combat aviators. His efforts contributed to the success of some of U.S. Special Operations Forces most successful, and closely guarded clandestine operations. Master Sergeant Paul Fremstad’s exemplary leadership and devotion reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Commandos of all generations.

Lieutenant Colonel Daniel G. Schilling distinguished himself through meritorious achievement as an Air Force Combat Controller and Special Tactics Officer. Assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron during Operation Desert Storm, he operated the control tower at Ar’Ar in Saudi Arabia supporting special operations during intense combat. As a Staff Sergeant, Colonel Schilling was an Operation Gothic Serpent planner and communications link for the Ranger Battalion commander during the Battle of Mogadishu. He then served as instructor at the Combat Control School. He applied to become an Air Force officer and then commanded the Oregon Air National Guard’s 125th Special Tactics Squadron. Colonel Schilling served as Director, Oregon State Partnership Program for the nations of Bangladesh and Vietnam supporting programs at the ambassadorial level. He returned to active duty and became the first commander of a Special Mission Unit with global deployments. Colonel Schilling became the unofficial voice of the Combat Control community with the book Alone at Dawn, which he co-authored and created a video documenting the heroism of Master Sergeant John Chapman. Colonel Schilling is a strategic partner for the Combat Control Foundation which supports Combat Control Team members and families in time of need. He is a 2022 Air Command and Staff College Gathering of Eagles inductee and a 2023 recipient of the Freedom Foundation’s award for public service. Lieutenant Colonel Daniel G. Schilling’s exemplary leadership and devotion reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Commandos of all generations.

Chief Master Sergeant Joseph S. Stanaland, United States Air Force (retired), served for over 30 years. Chief Stanaland’s first assignment was to the 37th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron at Da Nang Air Base in South Vietnam, followed by an instructor assignment at the USAF Pararescue School. After his instructor assignment, Chief Stanaland deployed to Thailand and flew combat missions into North Vietnam and Laos. He was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry during a rescue operation. He returned to the USAF Pararescue School and then back to Thailand for a third combat tour. During this tour, Chief Stanaland participated in the evacuation of Saigon and the rescue of the American flagged vessel, SS Mayaguez. During the Battle at Koh Tang, Chief Stanaland earned his second Silver Star medal for gallantry. Returning stateside, he held staff positions at Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service and Military Airlift Command. While assigned to the 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Wing, he developed launch pad recovery techniques and medical capabilities unique to space launch. During Operation Desert Shield he served as special tactics planner on the Special Operations Command-Central staff. As Air Force Special Operations Command began creating special tactics squadrons, Chief Stanaland became Pararescue Functional Manager and successfully integrated the pararescue career field with combat controllers. He led the way to add Combat Weather, Tactical Air Control and other specialties, aligning the future force. Chief Master Joseph Stanaland’s exemplary leadership and devotion reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Commandos of all generations.

Chief Master Sergeant William W. Turner, United States Air Force (retired), distinguished himself by exceptionally dedicated service to the Air Force and Air Force Special Operations Command from July 1986 to August 2016. Chief Turner demonstrated extraordinary leadership throughout his career—as enlisted aviator, Superintendent, 4th Special Operations Squadron, Command Chief, 27th Special Operations Wing, and Command Chief, Air Force Special Operations Command. As AC-130 Lead Gunner, he conducted armed overwatch missions in Bosnia, enforcing the Dayton Peace Accords. After multiple deployments, he upgraded to evaluator gunner and ensured combat readiness by qualifying more than 40 Aerial Gunners. Chief Turner then moved to Air Force Special Operations Command as Superintendent of Deliberate Plans and Programs where he prepared command plans for contingencies around the globe. As 4th Special Operations Squadron Superintendent, he led the first crews into combat following the 9/11 attacks, as well as initial deployments to Iraq. He was then hand-picked for the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff’s Executive Group. As Command Chief, 27th Special Operations Wing, he helped guide the wing’s rapid growth to 5,000 personnel and 84 aircraft. As Command Chief, Air Force Special Operations Command, he exhibited quintessential leadership to 19,000 Airmen executing global combat, contingency and humanitarian missions. He was linchpin for the creation of the Air Force Wounded Warrior program, reintegrating wounded warriors into new career fields allowing continued honorable service. Chief Master Sergeant William W. Turner’s exemplary leadership and devotion reflect great credit upon himself, Air Force Special Operations Command, and Air Commandos of all generations.