With heavy hearts we report Lt. Col. Jerome “Jerry” W. Klingaman departed on his final sortie during the evening of March 8, 2021. Our condolences, hearts, and prayers are with the Klingaman family. Memorial service plans will be announced at the end of March.
Jerry served on active duty for 22 years in the Air Force, flying T-33, F-84F, F-100D, C-47, AT-28, and O-1 aircraft. Joining the Air Commando ranks in 1965, Jerry directed missions in Laos as an Air Operations Center Commander and Royal Lao Air Force Advisor (Project 404 and the Ravens). After military retirement Jerry became a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Doctrine, Research, and Education and Professor of Regional Studies, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL. He was highly regarded for his expertise, experience, and influence on irregular warfare and special operations strategy, doctrine, and employment.
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In 1993, Jerry joined Air Force Special Operations Command and helped establish the (now) 6th Special Operations Squadron. "Mr. K” served as the unit’s Director of Strategy and Plans for fifteen years, organizing, training, equipping, and deploying with combat aviation advisors. Beloved as the “Godfather of CAA,” Mr. K became a personal friend and mentor to everyone fortunate enough to spend time with him. Regardless of rank or position, time with Mr. K was precious family time. His Coyote Rules continue to inform the conduct of combat aviation advisory operations to this day. Jerry’s legacy lives on in past, present, and future generations of AFSOC’s CAA family.
Read Origins and Concept of Train-Advise-Assist by Lt Col Klingaman in Vol 5 Issue 1 of the Air Commando Journal.
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