Supporting the TACP community since 1992 with 3026 current and former ROMADs in the database.
Romad.com consists of 3.80GB, 11,892 Files in 634 folders
| PACAF HQ | Pacific | Mountain | Central | Eastern | USAFE HQ | Zulu |
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If you are sending Email to me, please put ROMAD.COM in thesubject somewhere. It allows me to locate them faster through all the spam.
2008-09-04 ATTENTION OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENTS: There is a DASF/TACP reunion in Las Vegas Next weekend (See calendar page for details). The organizers are interested in getting some troopers there wearing the new kit. If any of your troopers have stated they are going, and could move their kit there, its a good PR opportunity and I doubt they will have to buy beverages the entire time they will be there.
2008-09-04 ERROR: Well, somehow the photos database got corrupted. I have restored from a recent backup and its back up to speed. If you still see a "JPG" id for an image let me know about it. I am researching the reason for the corruption.
2008-08-31 Greetings, I've been out of town for a bit and am Going through emails to get accounts reactivated etc etc. Question to you. Anyone have any good suggestions for the ROMAD.COM front end? Its been up for about 2 years now and needs to be remodeled. Also, if anyone is graphically gifted can you propose a top image? Thanks.
Charlie
2008-07-09 Bow your Heads
At 1003 am this morning Martin Jollie passed away. Please look below this posting to see how you could help support his family.
2008-07-08 Congratulations to Tech. Sgt. Earl Covel, Jr., Fort Lewis, Wash! One of the 12 Outstanding airmen of the year!!! Great work!
2008-07-08 Bow Your Heads
John R Bartman passed away. link to the obit http://legacy.suburbanchicagonews.com/STNG-NewsSun/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonID=112801807
Link to the guest book http://legacy.suburbanchicagonews.com/STNG-NewsSun/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=112801807
Unfortunately I think I signed the guest book twice. I had a script error from their page and didnt think it took the first time.
2008-06-30 HOT
I don't normally ask for assistance like this but its a good cause. Martin Jollie TACP Retired out of Ft Bragg has been diagnosed with Terminal Cancer. The VA is going to support some, but his wife could really use our support. Monetary Donations should be forwarded to Jennifer Jollie, 8710 Bellcove Circle, Colorado Springs Co, 80920. What ever support you can provide would be appreciated, Prayers for him and his family are always accepted.
2008-06-18 attention all Former and Current ROMAD's and TACP.
Event Webpage : www.afdasf.org
We are having a Reunion which is OPEN to all Former and Current ROMAD's and TACP Members to be held in Las Vegas on September 12, 13, and 14th, 2008.
Well will be staying at the MGM Grand. Details below:
We will have a discount with Air Tran; EVENT CODE IS LAS091108 (DASF/TACP)
To take advantage of this special program contact the Air Tran Airways Event Savers Desk at 1-866-68EVENT (1-866-683-8368) for reservations. All patrons will need to have the listed Event Code and must provide the name of the event upon booking. Please provide the Event Savers Coordinator with EVENT CODE IS: LAS091108 (DASF/TACP).
We are trying to get a Special Tour at NELLIS AFB and have a Dinner at the EM Club on the night of the 13th.
All that are interested, please contact me for additional details ASAP via email.
Tom Branham
Event Coordinator
tom.branham@comcast.net
1-678-561-0593
1st DASF Yokota 64-65
173rd Airborne Brigade RVN 65 (Python Bravo)
DASC ALPHA Nha Trang 65-66 (Raged Scooper)
2008-05-16 DT interview on the NBC Nightly News. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/#24650519
(Thanks to David Anderson for forwarding this to me)
2008-05-04 Show of hands. Who is getting VA benefits? Ok, keep those hands up. Who got them as part of operations in Afghanistan or Iraq...or both? If you hand is still up have you been doing all the paperwork required for benefits through the VA? Have you been doing the typical macho thing and blowing it off? If you think the VA, in all of its "infinite" wisdom is going to assist you in the coming years you are SADLY mistaken. If you were smart, you made a copy of your records before you exited. Take those down to your local VA and do the deed. Get them assessed. While you are there insure they write down how many times you were in the sandbox and for how long each time. Also, if you got any awards for being there or Orders, take those too. It validates your claim.
So, your average "damage" from being a TACP can be shoulders, back and knees and a few other pieces and parts. 10-20% maybe? Add in a visit to this site http://www.battlemind.org/battlemind_main.html to determine if there is more going on. I'm not telling, or even recommending you fake anything, in fact if you don't have evidence, don't bother, but if you are experiencing any of the symptoms you need to see the VA before you destroy your marriage, your family or yourself. We have had friends "off" themselves if you will recall. Those of us that have exited in the last 5 or so years have an opportunity that our Vietnam and Korea brothers have been fighting for for dozens of years. You wait...you lose.
[you can put your hand down now genius]
2008-04-18 HOT! A meeting of the North Carolina TACP association is on for the 18th of April (thats today!) 1100 hrs. Hit this site (and of course book mark it) www.nctacp.org for further information or watch the Calendar page on the left.
2008-04-17 All,
The 1st Air Support Operations Group (ACC) and the 194th Regional Support Wing (ANG) will be hosting the Worldwide Air Support Operations Squadron/Group Commander's Conference from 28 Apr - 2 May. This event will bring the senior leadership in the Tactical Air Control Party careerfield together to discuss issues pertinant to the future of the terminal attack control mission.
On the night of the 28th there will be an icebreaker social held at the McChord AFB Club and we have arranged for a room to be set aside for industry and vendors to set up demonstration booths. If you are interested in setting up a display, please let me know so I can arrange table space for you. If you have already replied that you will be attending, please file this email as informative and I will send updates as I get them.
In addition, if any of you would be interested in donating to assist with the cost of the icebreaker and/or the conference it would be greatly appreciated. As you probably know, the cost of hosting a large scale conference can be quite substantial. We are also hosting a dinner and golf tournament to be held on the 1st. Any donations, either monetary or otherwise, would go to fund the events and act as prizes for the tournament. This is completely optional however since the primary purpose of this invite is to expose the senior leadership to new technology.
Thank you for your consideration and I will be looking forward to your reply
Sincerely,
MSgt Christopher Spann
Operations Superintendent
5th Air Support Operations Squadron
comm 253-967-2195
DSN 357-2195
christopher.g.spann at us.army.mil
2008-03-22 2008 FAC-C Reunion information added to the Reunion page.
2008-03-21 I'm out of town on business until the 8th. If you have a password request send it and I'll square them away when I get back.
2008-03-04 I actually had this posted a while back but I put the wrong date and it got sorted to the bottom. Anyway....The 3rd in line for the Throne of England is one of us. A JTAC. Yep, Prince Harry was, up until recently, operating in Afghanistan as a JTAC. Thats "Prince TACP to you Mister..."
To the Guys in theater, in a fit of house cleaning I deleted some emails I needed, so someone ask the current TACP Chief in theater to drop me a line. I have more inbound stuff for you guys
2008-03-02 Update - Ive added about 300 photos to the photo section. If you have been uploading watch for changes to the basic structure. Im pulling out the individual directories and instead opting for a TACP directory. Put "Donated by .." and your name in the description so you can find all your photos, or any that you happened to be in. If you notice faces with no names, or incorrect naming let me know using the name of the photon and I'll square it away, or just make a comment to the photo.
2007-12-17 Congratulations to the 2007 Air Force TACP Award winners: SrA Joshua Lockwood, 8 ASOS (USAFE), SSgt Daniel Strom, 5 ASOS (ACC), and SSgt Ryan Fausey, 682 ASOS (ACC) for winning their respective categories. Great work guys!!!
2007-12-08 HELP
The response this year from theater has been amazing. I have listings for no less than 200 troopers. Now I need volunteers stateside to provide baked goods, cards, sundries etc. I have a relatively large team of folks working but this is a pretty big request. If you want to send stuff then please send an email to CHARLIE at ROMAD.COM with DONATOR in the subject. I need any and all support here.
Thanks, Charlie
2007-12-05 HOT
I have the xmas address listing for the guys in theater. If you wish to support our men in the field send me an email to charlie at ROMAD.COM with "ROMAD.COM DONATOR" in the subject line, and (after verifying your not some kind of kook) I'll provide the list. We have alot of folks that are not going to be with their families this year....any little taste of home would be appreciated.
Regards, Charlie
2007-12-03 HEY!
Geez the things I have to do to get your attention. People in theater, this is for you. I got a listing of who and where, so things are coming your way, WHAT DO YOU NEED? Toiletries? Baked goods? comeon, I'm trying to insure you don't get alot of useless crap here...Work with me! As usual send it to charlie at romad.com with ROMAD.COM Receiver in the subject line.
2007-11-23 HAPPY THANKSGIVING Hopefully everyone is currently in a food coma. Thanksgiving marks the start of my annual drive to get donators linked up with receivers. If you wish to donate sundries and other holiday goodies to our TACP Troops in Iraq, Afghanistan and other unpleasant places send me your contact information. Put ROMAD.COM DONATOR in the subject line. My spam filters will let it through. If you are in theater, any theater, send me an email with ROMAD.COM RECEIVER in the subject. I need to know how many studs are there or will be supplied from there. For the ASOS Operations Superintendents and 1st SGTs over there, and you have a mixed gender force, I just need to know how many of each. All emails should be pointed to email: charlie at romad.com.
Have a safe Thanksgiving holiday
2007-11-23 Head nod to Dennis Delay for letting me know about a drive space situation (of the bad type) Nod..... :)
2007-11-14 Congratulations to our Newest CHIEF!!!
Jaz Ericson
2007-11-14 Check out this Air Force Link article forwarded by Chris Hazell Not just another day at the office
2007-11-09 Casa survived, although the fires came pretty close (500 yards). Thanks for the emails of concern, I appreciate it.
Just returned from Msgt Blair "keebs" Evens retirement. We think he cried but he denies it so no money changed hands. :)
I'm spending the weekend under the hood of the imagery section trying to get about 3500 images uploaded, should be fun.
2007-10-22 All stations this net..stand by. If you have been watching CNN the fires you see in san diego are local to me. Poway, where I live, is being evacuated. ROMAD.COM is now totally automated and being run from a remote server. No break in service should occur. Hopefully my home makes it.
Later
Charlie
2007-10-12 
A new book it out on the market by Steve Call About TACP members. Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Danger-Close-Controllers-Afghanistan-University/dp/1585446246
2007-09-19 DelToro Update Recovery.pdf
2007-09-15 My apologies for being unreachable. I've been in the process of buying and now moving into a new house. Took me a bit to get all the computers unpacked and setup. If you requested passwords and such I should be emailing you today/tomorrow.
2007-09-15 Some personal memories from Capt John Garrison who helped the gang of 5 create the careerfield.
Items such as this can be found on the History page. If you have additions or comments on the history section please shoot me an email.
2007-07-24 The TACP Association is trying to raise money for the proposed TACP Memorial. The School house guys have a "Honor the Fallen" t-shirt that is available for purchase on the www.TACPSTORE.com website. All of the proceeds will go towards the memorial. The TACP Association appreciates your help with this matter.
2007-07-07 Check out this site http://militaryillus.home.att.net/
2007-06-19 BOW YOUR HEADS
It is with the deepest regret and heartfelt sadness to announce the passing of a fellow TACP and Washington Air National Guard member, MSgt Scott “Mac” McDaniel. Mac was a 14 year veteran of the 116th Air Support Operations Squadron and currently held the position of Operations Superintendent; and passed away due to an off-duty accident in the local area this past weekend. He will be remembered as a great friend, superior member of the TACP community, and a true professional.
MSgt McDaniel is survived by his two boys Connor and Colin, his parents Chief(R) Tom and Laura McDaniel, and his sister Diana. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family in this unforeseen tragedy.
Donations can be made to the Scott T. McDaniel Memorial Fund at the American Lake Credit Union in person or by mail. The purpose of the fund is to provide an additional benefit to Connor and Colin.
Attention: Scott T. McDaniel Memorial Fund
American Lake Credit Union
Camp Murray, Building 16
Tacoma, WA 98430
I cannot express enough the integral role MSgt Scott McDaniel played as a member of the 116th ASOS and Washington Air National Guard.
Please contact Lt Col John Dowling (253) 512-2508, SMSgt Tim Tyvan (253) 512-3454, or TSgt Sharon Landis Green (253) 512-2509 with any question you may have. The date has yet to be set for his memorial, anticipate a follow up email soon.
2007-06-17 Anyone know who made/produced this litho?
2007-06-17 Check out the TACP litho on this site. http://militaryillus.home.att.net/
2007-04-01 Two items. First check out this PPT. Its great. Second dont forget the approaching Battlefield Airman Dinner (27 April). https://einvitations.afit.edu/Shepro/anim.cfm
2007-03-25 Many Thanks to Jarred Taylor for the excellent topline graphic. Great Work!
2007-03-19 NOTE: I stated in two notices below that I have enabled a photo storage area. PLEASE utilize the firstname.lastname schema when you log in as I'm trying to maintain some consistency in logons and enable you to find each other easier. Just FYI, you can upload images to this system too (up to 4 meg in size) and as I create an account for you, I also create sections where your pictures can go etc. About 100 pics up there right now and increasing as I migrate images from one system to another.
2007-03-17 E-8 selects (1C4). Congrats!
BENDER MICHAEL H
CAMPBELL JERRY S
CARR DAVID F
DAVIS KEVIN M
GRANDALSKI STEVEN
HOPSON LON W
LUNDQUIST DAVID T
QUESENBERRY JASON
RAMOS BRETT K
2007-03-17 Picture Section
Finally someone has designed a picture system that actually works like I need it to, and has some mid level security on it. The Secure Area storage will start being wound down and all the images moved over. As I go through the database I'll be moving passwords and logon Ids, as well as moving what photos I have to the right places. This new section allows you to upload and comment on your own photos, which means you dont need to wait on me anymore.
Give it a shot, it will soon be linked via menu option but in the mean time just go to www.romad.com/4images
2007-03-17 BATTLEFIELD AIRMAN DINNER
Click the link below to get your invitation rolling
I want to go!
2007-03-12 NOTICE
James Paul Santos, 18, Clarksville, died Thursday, March 8, 2007, at Gateway Medical Center. A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at McReynolds-Nave and Larson Funeral Home with the Rev. Yong Bum Lee and the Rev. Ford officiating. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. until the hour of the service Wednesday at the funeral home. McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. He was born Sept. 22, 1988, in Seoul, Korea, son of Aaron Santos and Yongmi Choe Santos. He was a student at Northeast High School and a private in the U.S. Army Reserve. He is survived by both parents of Clarksville; sister, Angela Santos of Clarksville; grandfather, Teddy Santos, of San Diego, Calif.; and grandmother, Ann Marie Parga-Bell, of Renton, Wash.
2007-03-03 Check out the Press page (Under 411). Gen Mosely released a PDF book on Airmen of courage. 2 TACP members are in it.
2007-02-21 Recently John Babcock and I were doing the standard TACP, where did so-in-so go after retirment/exit? type thing. Which lead to a thought that it would be nice to consolidate a listing of who is doing what out in Industry. Alot of good troopers vanish into corporate america never to be seen or heard from again. If we had such a listing it would allow TACP to TACP business opportunities as well as show our young troopers that being a TACP is not the dead end AFSC that our peers once told us it was. If you would like to participate just shoot me an email (with romad.com in the subject of course) with your business card information in it. You will find it under the 411 page when I get it added.
2007-02-10 Plowing through email clearing requests for accounts and such. For your FYI my Tier 1 spam filter reports the following for Feb 1 thru Feb 8: 13174 Emails Received, 10174 Spam Filtered. If you sent a request for something or other and its been over 30 days, then its in a Spam net somewhere. I have 4 levels of Spam filtering to assist in keeping my sanity, but all have a ROMAD.COM subject line exception. Recommend resending.
2007-01-22 Sent on behalf of Lt Gen Chandler, AF/A3/5.
Lieutenant General Carrol H. Chandler Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans & Requirements Cordially invites you to attend a ceremony honoring Senior Airman Andre J. Andrews SSgt Francis E. Lott, III SSgt Christopher P. Avalos Upon the occasion of their selection as the The 2006 United States Air Force
Tactical Air Control Party Annual Award Winners on Wednesday, the seventh of February 2007 at Thirteen thirty hours Hall of Heroes, The Pentagon
R.S.V.P by 31 Jan 2007
Military: UOD
703-588-5008/DSN: 425-5008
Civilian: Office Attire
E-mail: david.devine @ pentagon.af.mil
Reception immediately following
2006-12-22 2006 Headquarters United States Air Force Tactical Air
Control Party Awards
On behalf of the USAF A3/5:
It is a great pleasure to announce the winners of the first annual
Headquarters United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
Awards. This program recognizes the many contributions made to our
Air Force by these exceptionally talented and highly trained
professionals who have dedicated themselves to supporting ground
forces through the effective application of air and space power. This
years winners distinguished themselves in combat operations in Iraq
and Afghanistan and through significant contributions to the
improvement of their mission areas.
The above awards will be formally presented in a ceremony at the
Pentagon in early 2007; dates and location will be announced shortly.
The A1C Raymond Losano TACP Award: Named in honor of Airman First
Class Raymond Losano who was killed in action while serving his
country during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. This award recognizes the
outstanding Air Force TACP Apprentice/Journeyman of the Year.
* The 2006 A1C Raymond Losano TACP Award recipient is: SrA Andre
J. Andrews, 9th Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft. Hood, TX
* While under direct machine gun and RPG fire, SrA Andrews
directly engaged enemy forces with small arms fire and executed a
mortar call for fire in close proximity to friendly troops while
utilizing an overhead aircrew to relay communications.
The SSgt Jacob Frazier TACP JTAC Award: Named in honor of Staff
Sergeant Jacob Frazier who was killed in action while serving his
country during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. This award recognizes the
outstanding Air Force TACP Joint Terminal Attack Controller of the
Year.
* The 2006 SSgt Jacob Frazier TACP JTAC Award recipient is: SSgt
Francis E. Lott III, 11th Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft. Hood,
TX
* After air insertion into a dense Anti-Iraqi Forces stronghold,
SSgt Lott utilized intelligence from air and ground assets to locate
and highlight fleeing insurgents resulting in the capture of 3 top-10
targets.
The Fighter Duty Technician (FDT) Award: Recognizes the outstanding
Air Force Fighter Duty Technician of the Year.
* The 2006 Fighter Duty Technician Award recipient is: SSgt
Christopher P. Avalos, 712th Air Support Operations Squadron, Ft.
Hood, TX
* SSgt Avalos executed superb tactical control of 4,800 sorties
during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. His exceptional management of
immediate combat missions facilitated the expenditure of 262,931 lbs
of munitions resulting in significant losses to enemy forces and saved
the lives of countless coalition forces.
The 2006 TACP Award winners epitomize professionalism and dedication
to mission success. They have truly earned the honor of these
prestigious awards. Please extend my personal congratulations to
them.
Respectfully,
CARROL H. CHANDLER, Lt Gen, USAF
DCS, Air, Space & Information
Operations, Plans & Requirements
2006-12-17 When you are making your XMAS Cards this year, make one more...address is:
A Recovering American Hero
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001
2006-12-10 For those that were ever stationed with David Goggins, here is where he disappeared to http://www.insidetri.com/portal/news/news.asp?item=105754
2006-12-01 ATTENTION: I have one "receiver" and about 10 "providers". To receive something before Xmas you are going to need to get me your address in the next 4 or 5 days (sooner is better). If not, Chris S.... you are going to get "dumped" on.. hope you are hungry.
2006-11-26 This holiday season, remember that we have folks that are standing in harms way overseas.
For Sending things to the guys, send an email to charlie@romad.com with PROVIDER ROMAD.COM in the subject and I'll add you to the list for receiving an address. Also include your phone number as I will need to validate you are who you say you are. Some peacenicks tried to send some bad/inappropriate things to the guys last year.
You guys in theater, send me an email with RECEIVER ROMAD.COM in the subject that says how many guys (I dont want names) and an address that stuff can be sent to. If you are going to receive for alot of remote sites fine, just add up the numbers and we can work from there. Also, include a listing of the 10 hot items you need...leave off the XBox this time.
It sucks you cannot be home for the holidays with your loved ones, but maybe we can bring you some XMas cheer anyway...
Regards, Charlie Heidal
2006-10-29 Congratulations to SSgt Lott for the Bronze Star. See the news/Press page for further details (Its under TACP 411 for those that dont visit that section often)
2006-10-29 HOT Please visit the following website: http://www.trailtorecovery.org/ David Wilcoxen (TACP) and Craig Fitzgerald (PJ) are doing the "Trail to Recovery". I cut the following from the site:
"The Trail to Recovery is a 2200 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail in honor of disabled veterans. We will start the hike July 16, 2006 and intend to complete the hike within four months. This long, arduous trail extends from Maine to Georgia and has many up hills and down hills. The hike is symbolic of the long road disabled veterans face as they come to grips with 1) their disabilities and 2) the reality that life as they knew it will no longer be the same. These heroes answered America's call, served honorably, and as a result will continue to fight their own silent battles long after these current wars come to an end. One hundred percent of the funds raised will go directly to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, an organization which diligently works to assist disabled veterans in overcoming their obstacles."
2006-10-29 HOT Please visit the following website: http://www.trailtorecovery.org/ David Wilcoxen (TACP) and Craig Fitzgerald (PJ) are doing the "Trail to Recovery". I cut the following from the site:
"The Trail to Recovery is a 2200 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail in honor of disabled veterans. We will start the hike July 16, 2006 and intend to complete the hike within four months. This long, arduous trail extends from Maine to Georgia and has many up hills and down hills. The hike is symbolic of the long road disabled veterans face as they come to grips with 1) their disabilities and 2) the reality that life as they knew it will no longer be the same. These heroes answered America's call, served honorably, and as a result will continue to fight their own silent battles long after these current wars come to an end. One hundred percent of the funds raised will go directly to the Coalition to Salute America's Heroes, an organization which diligently works to assist disabled veterans in overcoming their obstacles."
2006-10-12 BOW YOUR HEADS
We lost a man today. Blaine Anderson, retired and working at Avon Park passed away today due to complications in surgery. As I get them, I will make details available.
2006-10-09 BOW YOUR HEADS
Amn. Donald Brown and his wife were found dead in their home in Round Rock Texas. Their death is under investigation by Round Rock Texas Authorities
2006-09-30 For those that still believe that the "big AF" Does not know we exist, this was sent to me:
At a recent event the SECAF was the guest speaker. We had an AF-only call with him before the ceremony, and someone asked him about the drawdown in Korea. He said we're pulling back as we speak, since the South Koreans want to defend themselves. Then he said the last two guys to leave Korea will be a JTAC and an ALO...
2006-09-26 BOW YOUR HEADS
MSgt (Ret) Patrick McCroary passed away the 22nd due to an apparent heart attack in his home.
MSgt (Ret) Patrick McCroary's memorial service will be held at the Main Post Chapel on Radio Road here at Fort Polk on Thursday 28 September 1100 hours. If you wish to send something, the addresses are as follows:
Main Post Chapel (Bldg. 427)
7263 Radio Road
Fort Polk, LA 71459
Dawn McCroary
203 KVVP Drive
Leesville, LA 71446
If there is any other information I can help you out with please let me know or TSgt Scott Johnson scott.johnson @ polk.army.mil (DSN 863-7500) can help as well.
2006-09-25 Heroism earns Airman prestigious award
By Senior Airman John Gordinier
20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (AFPN) -- An NCO from Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., received the Keeper of the Flame Award Sept. 20 for his efforts in fighting the war on terrorism from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Tech. Sgt. Stephen Achey, a 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron senior fighter duty technician, received the award from Marine Gen. Peter Pace as the chairman presented the annual award to a representative from each military service.
The event, attended by members of Congress, the military, the executive branch, diplomats, captains of industry and the press, bestows recognition on individuals who devote their careers to the propagation of democracy and respect for individual rights throughout the world.
This year, the award recipients include Rep. Duncan Hunter, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and a member from each military service who was featured in the book, "Home of the Brave: Honoring the Unsung Heroes in the War on Terror," by Caspar Weinberger and Wynton Hall.
The book contains 19 stories from the most highly decorated Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the military. Each story details a heroic event that took place during the war on terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Sergeant Achey's story from Afghanistan was the reason he was chosen as the Air Force's recipient of the Keeper of the Flame Award.
"Forty-four personnel including myself left Bagram Air Base March 2, 2002, around 4 a.m. in two CH-47 Chinook (helicopters)," Sergeant Achey said. "We landed at the south end of Shahi Kot Valley, Afghanistan. Thirty to 40 seconds after the helos took off, we took fire from three directions. It was mortar -- rocket-propelled grenades -- and small arms fire.
"I was getting fired at by (an enemy combatant) hiding behind a rock," he said. "I returned fire ... missed him and took cover while he returned fire. Then I got him. Unfortunately, his buddies saw me and mortar fire picked up. That's when he thought it was all over.
"A mortar round hit close to my feet, which flipped me over," Sergeant Achey said. "I landed on my back. I sat there thinking 'I'm dead.'
"I moved my feet and looked around to make sure I was all there," he said. "I was alright except for the ringing in my ears."
Sergeant Achey found cover and called in for air support, but realized he didn't have a good global positioning system to give them the coordinates. The Army fire support officer told Sergeant Achey of a GPS that was dropped down a hill, in range of the enemy. Sergeant Achey made the decision to retrieve it.
"I asked for cover and started running," Sergeant Achey said. "While receiving enemy fire at the bottom of the hill, I grabbed the GPS and ran back. I turned the GPS on and gave air support the coordinates. Then the bombs started to drop."
The enemy took shelter in a bunker, but Sergeant Achey called in the coordinates and an F-18 Hornet flew in and destroyed the bunker, which was filled with Taliban and al Qaeda fighters. After a long day and 16 air strikes later, Sergeant Achey and the rest of his unit returned to Bagram Air Base. His heroic actions earned him the Silver Star.
The other servicemembers honored with the Keeper of the Flame Award were Army Sgt. Micheaux Sanders, Marine Capt. Brian Chontosh, Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Luis Fonseca, and Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Bradley Middleton.
"The fight for freedom has been and always will be continual," General Pace said at the annual Keeper of the Flame dinner. "What makes me feel so good about the future of our country is the five individuals standing behind me tonight, because they truly are the future of our country."
The Keeper of the Flame Award was inaugurated in 1990 by the Center for Security Policy. Past Keeper of the Flame Award recipients include: General Pace, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld, former speaker of the house Newt Gingrich, former President Ronald Reagan, former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, and Fortune 500's Malcolm "Steve" Forbes Jr.
(Some information courtesy of the Center for Security Policy Web and Army Sgt. Sara Wood of American Forces Press Service)
2006-08-07 NOTE: For those that wonder why it takes me so long to answer emails sometimes I screen captured my email box for July.
PLEASE! If you are going to send me email put ROMAD.COM in the subject and, by email Rule, I get an instant notification.
2006-08-06 HOT! New TACP Store Site up! www.tacpstore.com
2006-07-29 ALL,
I seem to be missing someone from the lost and fallen page. Specifically A1C Ricky C. Heppard. Request any and all information on him, and please look at the list to insure that all our guys are there.
2006-07-29 ATTENTION: VIETNAM ROMADs
Mike 51, an O-2 FAC at Ban ME Thout East (BMTE) Field from 1969-70 is looking for any and all Radio Operators that were there from 1967-1972. Email him directly by pulling out the spaces --> mike51bmte @ earthlink.net
2006-07-29 Something worth your time : http://www.savemytricare.com/
2006-06-29 Bow Your Heads
Robert Stevenson was Involved in an off duty Auto Accident and received a broken neck. He died 27 June 2006. Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Lewistown High School Peoria Ill Auditorium, with Pastor Dana McNeil officiating, and military rites accorded by his VFW and American Legion posts. There will be no visitation. The family will greet friends at the Lewistown VFW Post immediately following the memorial service. Bob was a retired 1C4 with over 23 years in.
2006-06-23 DEL TORO receives Purple Heart and ARCOM from CSAF http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123022376 That Israel can even walk right now is a testament to his intestinal fortitude.
2006-06-17 Massive Updates today. Names added, files uploaded. Nothing specticular, just updates.
2006-06-17 Shameless Plug for one of our guys. www.corderpower.com
2006-04-26 GOTTA READ BOOK This one is a must have. One of the FACs from Vietnam has written a book that is a great read. Check it out and pick up a copy. He gets the profit, not some grubby book company.
LINK
2006-04-06 NOTE: Getting reset after move. I have > 5k emails to go through so if you sent something I'll get to it. House is a disaster area of boxes but its starting to look livable.[you will note my computers were the first thing set up...ha]
2006-04-02 Bow Your Heads
Frank Purcell passed away 24 March 06. Funeral service with full military honors will be on Tuesday, 4 April at Tacoma Memorial Cemetary. Time for service will be pending.
Flowers and the like can be sent to Frank's home:
1312 Starling Street
Steilacoom, WA 98388
2006-03-18 Added a new area for Recruiters and the guys at Lackland to be able to answer questions to the newbe's and wanna be's. If you know of a recruiter out there let them know about the capability and have them email me. It would go along way to helping all.
2006-03-07 School House Store Back online.
2006-02-28 BOW YOUR HEADS
Chief Floyd A. "Two Dogs" Matthews (Ret.) passed away in his sleep Monday Feb 27 from internal bleeding. His funeral will be Thursday March 2nd 12:30 at
Ponders Funeral Home
1120 North Main
Sikeston, MO 63801
Please feel free to contact me on my cell. 901-277-0629
Phil Simmons
2006-02-27 Hey, one of you 1C4's at the ASOC in Iraq, shoot me an email. Got some intel for you.
2006-02-20 Men, Reminder: there is a Parents Zone on the message board. Its designed for your parents to get together with other TACP Parents. If your parents know how to use a computer, have them send me an email and include YOUR name (to validate them) and I'll hook them up.
2006-02-19 For those that dont remember. Terrance Patterson made some nice statues for our careerfield. The link is http://www.theawardshop.com/category.aspx?categoryID=1 and it looks like they just dropped the price.
Some of you may be aware, others cheering, others sad. My retirement date looms. Sorry I cannot invite all of you (cant afford that much food!) but this is not a funeral, I'm just moving to something else. ROMAD.COM will continue as per normal, no scary glitches, but now I may have more time for it so (hopefully) expect a shorter turn around time on passwords and questions answered.
Its been a great run, but its time to step aside and make room for the younger, faster and smarter out there.
2006-02-05 In my zeal to get the file system done I boofed the entry URL. Fixed. Have fun. Many More files to upload
2006-01-28 File system is online (and improved). Its in the secure area under datawarehouse. Work in progress but its getting there.
2006-01-22 Notification of Passing: Gerald {Tater} Smith passed on 24 Sep 05, from heart failure. He was a TACP in the 60's.
2006-01-17 Received this from one of the ROMAD Moms. PPS
2006-01-16 Thanks to Hankhouse for notifying me of a security hole in the site. Its been plugged. If you guys find something that does not seem to be working right or it lets you do something you dont think you should be able to let me know.
Just got back from a TDY and will catch up on email today
2005-12-24 To All:
MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your family. Be safe out there and keep our guys in theater in your prayers.
Congratulations to TSgt Foote, TSgt Knight and SSgt Gregory. On 22 December they were awarded Bronze Stars by the Secretary of the Air Force. Outstanding work guys.
2005-12-21 VERY COOL
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFPN) -- The Air Force recognized four Airmen with the service's 2005 Lance P. Sijan Air Force Leadership Award.
The Sijan award annually recognizes Airmen who demonstrate outstanding leadership abilities while assigned to organizations at the wing level or below.
The 2005 recipients are:
Junior enlisted - Senior Airman Grailin M. Blamer, Fort Lewis, Washington. Airman Blamer provided expert advice and close air support command and control during a sixth-month combat tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His decisive actions and calm demeanor while under enemy fire on many occasions directly led to the destruction of enemy combatants and saved countless coalition lives.
The Sijan award was first given in 1981. It was named in honor of the first Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. Captain Sijan was shot down over Vietnam on Nov. 9, 1967, and evaded capture for 45 days despite severe injuries. He later died while in a Vietnamese prisoner-of-war camp and was presented the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroism.
2005-11-24 NOTE: I'm posting over 800 photos (throughout the week) in the photos section and need some assistance on names. I dont recognize everyone by face so any help you can provide would be appreciated. utilize search word comp2005 to locate only those photos.
Also, Happy Turkey Day!!
2005-11-10 Many Thanks to Forrest Spaulding for the perfect entry page graphic. Take a minute to say a prayer for our fallen on Veterans Day.
2005-11-09 All, I was forwarded the below linked video. Although its for canadian forces, it is also appropriate for our men.
Pittance of Time
2005-11-08 Help. We are working on making the CASS system able to read in and display FalconView Draw files. I need your ugly examples of draw files. Something indicative of what you normally use. Send to my office account charles . heidal @ langley.af.mil
2005-10-24 Funeral for Dennis Hay is 25 Oct, 11:00 AM, Sectin 60, Plot 8228. Red 31 on this map. Expect to link up at the administration building and proceed to the grave site. Unfortunately I will be unable to attend as I'm previously committed.
2005-10-22 Question Anyone know of time and place for Dennis Hay's funeral? Arlington on the 25th is the only information I have and Arlington is rather large
2005-10-18 NOTE TO ALL DEPLOYED: As the holiday season approaches I want to start getting churches and things involved in sending you items. Please send me addresses and POC's for your deployed personnel and any ROE (IE, no booze etc) that may pertain to their area. As always, put ROMAD.COM in the subject line.
2005-10-02 ATTENTION PARENTS!
I've set up a new section to the message board for parents only. A place where you can discuss your TACP, or TACP wannabe sons.
This is a 3 step process. If you dont already have a message board account, go to the message board and sign in. It will send you a password and such. You will not be able to do much but you will now have an account. Second, send me (charlie@romad.com) an email with ROMAD.COM PARENT in the subject. Put who your sons is in the body of the email along with what ever your login name was for the message board (which will allow me to find it easily). Step 3 is me...I'll upgrade your account so that you can utilize the message board. I'm TDY until the 10th so it might be until then that I can get on and upgrade your account.
Thanks to Dennis Delay, and one of our Mom's for bringing this idea up. I should have had this on there sooner.
2005-09-25 Went through 300 emails today. Everything in the account older than April I've moved to another folder and will pick at them occasionally. If you requested access to the photos section and didnt receive a response from me, sent it agan...AND PUT ROMAD.COM in the subject. I get 1000 emails per day and my filters look for romad.com in the subject and put those to the top.
2005-09-19 HOT HOT Mark your calender. 25 October, 1100, Arlington National Cemetary for the funeral of Dennis Hay. Further details will be provided as they become available
2005-09-05 BOW YOUR HEADS
On 29 August 2005, Dennis Hay was killed in action. Dennis, a Former RANGER TACP who crosstrained to PJ then shifted to the Army and became a Warrant Officer, was piloting an OH-58 in Iraq when he was struck by enemy fire.
Calendar of Events
Menu Item at left for calendar now works. Let me know of any events that you think the community needs to know about. Reunions, retirements, civilian business events etc. Anything good for the whole community.
2005-09-01 Laughlin Air Force Base dedicates its Gym to Raymond Losano
2005-09-01 HOT HOT HOT
Lightning Challenge 05 11-19 November. Sunny Florida. Your groups should already have the message. Pass the word and get ready!
2005-08-23 Message board is back Up.
2005-08-16 Congratulations to our Latest CMSGT....CMSGT CZOP. Way to go!
2005-07-22 HOT HOT HOT
Gentlemen, if our men start to get complacient in the wear of tactical gear in the combat zone, specifically Body Armor, please show them THIS video. Hot and sweaty is much better than Cold and Dead. This trooper will live to fight another day...and quite possibly delete the individual that fired this shot.
2005-07-18 IMPORTANT
SSgt Roman Lopez's (Falcon 45) wife was involved in an accident. Significant burns to face and extremities. It happened on the 16th. If you can take a moment to send a card or flowers of well wishing to :
Roman and Amy Lopez
106E Kingspark Dr
Liverpool NY, 13090
Thank you from the 20th ASOS
2005-07-17 Just got back from Germany and other locations. Managed to clear about 700 emails pending on the webpage (so if you received a response to a question you asked about 3 months ago, thats why). If you have sent an email I will get to it. I have about 600 more to go to zero the mail box.
2005-07-04 Testing using the EBAY stores system to handle the sales page. Not sure if it will be cost effective. Most of the items from the school house have been transitioned as a test. Let me know what you think.
2005-06-23 BOW YOUR HEADS
SMSgt Jim Hudson passed away today (23 JUN 05) at 14:36 hrs due to complications brought on by throat cancer treatments. He was 64.
Flowers and cards can be sent to
C/O Mrs. Janet Hudson
5845 Berkley Road
San Angelo, Texas 76901
The funeral wil be at Johnson's Funeral Home, W. Beauregard, San Angelo TX on Monday at 2:00 PM
If you would like to send an email to his daughter for forwarding to the family send email to yarsa AT hvc.rr.com (Change AT to @ when mailing, this method is to reduce spammers.
2005-06-18 Graduation speech for Hawk 67 by the outgoing commander speech
Working heavily on the photos and names database. You might see a dead link come up, give it about 5 minutes than try again. Im probably working on that page at that time.
2005-06-07 Many of you may have received an email stating that your password was reset. Someone was attempting to hack into the system. I am currently in the process of figuring out who it was and I will thump them. Essentially its a couple of script kiddies and they are attempting to thrash my system. I'm working on hunting them down so hold your comments and requests for passwords until I can either destroy this individuals system or get the authorities involved and have them forceably shut down.
2005-06-03 Getting final checks done on the new Photos section by several guys out there. If you want to assist and you are technically proficient let me know. The only reason I added the technically proficient is a comment of.....Its broke....does me little good. Tech guys tend to know how to break things more than just your standard nug. And can usually articulate what they did to break it.
Thanks
2005-05-31 Ive been working on the page quite a bit (although it might not be directly evident) and have modified the baseline structure of the site. Alot more interactive capabilities as Ive taught myself a new computer language (PHP for the geeks in the crowd, I was pretty much just a CGI and HTML guy, PHP rocks!) Anyway. Ive completely redone the files and photos sections, and they actually work. Give me until friday before you start pinging for information on it. I have a couple of guys doing bug checking on the site and should have all the little bastards killed by friday latest.
2005-04-17 Been hacking code for improvements to the page. Several changes you don't care about, a couple you might. If you want to send images to the page I created a quick PHP program to do just that. Other changes will occuring in short order.
2005-04-15 After that long TDY, I had a total of 12,000 emails on the site, SpamFilter knocked it to 4500. Currently working through them.
2005-02-14 Fellow Warriors,
The First Battlefield Airman Heritage Dinner was a great success. Well over 300 TACPs, PJs, CCT, CROs, STOs, gray-berets, ALOs and mission supporters attended along with lots of guests. We had great participation from the retired community and also from the flying community.
The efforts of many came together to make this evening special, from the spectacular static displays, the BA honor guard, the historical enactment and of course, Chief Wayne Fisk's stirring remarks. Our thanks to the members of the Heritage Dinner committee that led planning and preparation: MSgt Lori St Amant, SMSgt Henry Hutton, SMSgt John Reid, MSgt John Farris, MSgt Andy Martin, TSgt Charles Keebaugh, TSgt Richard Beck, TSgt Jesse English, TSgt Mike Gray, and SSgt Shannon Goodwin. Also, thanks to the TACP School, 334 TRS; the 18 ASOG and the 720 OSS for their outstanding work on the heritage displays.
Finally, thanks to all of you who attended...that is what really made the night special. We look forward to the Second Battlefield Airman Heritage Dinner!
Strength and Honor
Col Ken Rodriguez
720 STG/CC
1992-01-01 Inclusion Markers for Amazon use
TACP ROMAD JTAC FAC
1991-01-01
What Charlies Computers do when they are idle DNETC
Charlies Quickie Software PageWhere you IP says you are coming in from...