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Ep 121 | Marc Fitzwater – Army JTAC, I68 Consulting Group

July 28, 2025 By Thad Forester


In this episode, I talk with Marc Fitzwater (@i68consultinggroup)—former Army Green Beret, JTAC, and teammate of my brother Mark Forester. Marc shares what it was like serving alongside Mark in combat, the bonds formed with the guys from ODA 7212, the intense responsibility of calling in air support, and how those experiences shaped his life and leadership. Additionally, he talks about the day Mark and Calvin Harrison were killed on the battlefield in 2010. Now the founder of I68 Consulting Group, Marc helps empower others, drawing from the same principles that guided him in Special Forces. This episode is a powerful mix of brotherhood, sacrifice, and living a mission-driven life.

Related episodes:

Ep 60: ODA Team Captain Wes Wilson

Ep 31: Teammate George Earhart, TACP

Copyright 2025 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 10th group, afghanistan, calvin harrison, cas, cct, combat control, green beret, gwot, jtac, sf, tbi

Ep 086 | Gene Adcock – Combat Control Team History

December 13, 2021 By Thad Forester

Retired Air Force Combat Controller Gene Adcock joins me to talk about his new book, “Combat Control Team History“.

Since joining the Air Force in 1955 and retiring in 1977, Mr. Adcock has continued to contribute to the CCT career field. This book is another example with its estimated 800 pages and weight of 10 pounds.

Gene gives us a brief history of combat control, dating back to its origins in WWII. We talk Operation Varsity, Operation Overlord, Carpetbaggers – all from WWII, and the ill-fated rescue attempt code named Desert One from the Iranian hostage crisis.

It’s probably safe to say that Air Force combat controllers have been part of all major conflicts where the US has been involved. It’s also safe to say that most of the time, very few know that CCT’s are part of those missions–including Philippines, Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Panama, Haiti, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Click here to order this massive book: Combat Control Team History

Other books/articles referenced in our conversation:

U.S. Special Operations Forces

CCT The Eye of the Storm

Gene Adcock Biography

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Copyright 2021 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

https://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/1176657286-user-645944549-geneadcock-86.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: carpetbaggers, combat control, combat control team, desert one, gwot, iranian hostage crisis, john chapman, operation overlord

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