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Ep 088 | Combat Controllers – Small Force, Big Impact

February 7, 2022 By Thad Forester

CMSgt (retired) Michael Lamonica and MSG (retired) Kyle Stanbro, both retired Air Force combat controllers join us to break down what CCT’s do and their roles in the war on terror, Afghanistan withdrawal, and humanitarian missions throughout the world. And, why CCTs are arguably the deadliest force to ever walk the planet.

With each of them having over 30 yrs of active service, they’ve experienced a wide range of deployments, both combat related and due to natural disasters. In addition, they’ve trained CCT’s in the pipeline.

We also discuss their fundraising efforts for the Combat Control Association. Mike is the President and Kyle is a member of the board and they have worked tirelessly to raise money thru the Combat Control Foundation so they can support CCT’s and their families in times of need.

Previous episodes mentioned:

Episode 15 – Ronnie Rains

Episode 64 – Dan Schilling – Alone at Dawn

Copyright 2022 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: afghanistan, alone at dawn, cca, ccf, desert one, desert shield, desert storm, enduring freedom, haiti, iraqi freedom, panama, provide promise, provide relief, samolia, war on terror

Episode 024 – Wayne Norrad, Godfather of Combat Control

March 20, 2017 By Thad Forester

CMsgt Wayne NorradToday we have the privilege to hear from one of the legends in the Combat Control field, Mr. Wayne Norrad.  Many listeners probably never heard of Combat Control (CCT) before Patriot to the Core.  That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but you’ll learn from Wayne that they are an integral part in most, if not all, of the major conflicts with which the US is involved.

First There

We talk about his participation in the Tegucigalpa Honduras hijackings in the early ’80’s, deploying to Panama with Delta Force, and the Air Force’s role in counterterrorism.  In addition: Operation Just Cause in Panama, being the first CCT with the advance party in Operation Desert Shield, and opening King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia. His team was in Cambodia in 1975 with no weapons or uniforms, therefore no way to defend themselves.  Norrad also shares the creation of Detachment 1 at Pope Air Force Base after the failed Iranian Rescue Mission.

Among the changes made since Norrad joined CCT:  PT test is much harder, and Combat Dive and Freefall schools are now required.  And a little trivia: they used to wear navy blue berets.  Now they’re red.

He has been instrumental in developing HAHO (high altitude, high opening) parachute tactics and integrating air/ground assets to safely and successfully employ joint special operations forces onto the battlefield.

Wayne Norrad also controlled the first fixed wing aircraft to land at Kuwait City International Airport.  And through some simple thinking, figured out how to keep his and his teammates fingers from going numb while parachuting.  This involved using their feet to steer.

Thanks to his efforts, today’s CCT’s can go in by any means to do their jobs (air, land, water).  They are a premier elite fighting force.

We definitely will have Wayne back to further discuss his experience in CCT, Combat Control Association and the Air Force Demo Team.

For more information, read this article written by Wayne Norrad, CMSgt, USAF (Ret) (beginning on page 19):

Special Tactics in Desert Storm

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

 

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 24 sts, arctic survival, cct, columbia, combat control, counterterrorism, delta force, drug lord, eielson air force base, fairchild air force base, HAHO, hijacking, just cause, king fahd international airport, kuwait, noriega, panama, pope air force base, special tactics, spirit 03, tegucigalpa

Episode 019 – Larry Moores, Army Ranger, Platoon Ldr in Battle of Mogadishu

January 9, 2017 By Thad Forester

Larry_Moores and teamIn 1993, Larry Moores was leading a convoy to capture two Somali leaders when two Blackhawks were shot down.  Then the mission turned into a desperate search and rescue mission.  In what is known as “Black Hawk Down”, Larry describes his role in the battle that left 18 killed, over 80 wounded, and one missing pilot from his task force.

He shares with us valuable lessons he learned in Mogadishu and what roles his men played in recovering our dead and wounded.  Also, the benefits of living right in the city of Mogadishu and deploying from a very visible airfield.  The locals saw them all the time.

He enlisted as a young Army Ranger, commissioned through Officer Candidate School and served a 21-year career in Airborne, Ranger and Special Operations assignments, with numerous deployments including, Grenada, Somalia and Afghanistan.

Moores is now Executive Director of Three Rangers Foundation, which provides veterans with experts, advice and assistance in every aspect of their journey; whether spiritual, physical, mental, employment, finances, family, or education.

Learn more about his foundation and upcoming events in 2017:

http://www.threerangersfoundation.org/

And Larry proudly supports James Dietz’s portraits in his home:

http://www.jamesdietz.com/

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/298713013-user-645944549-larrymoores.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 82nd airborne, battle of mogadishu, black hawk down, grenada, officer candidate school, panama, somalia, three rangers foundation

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