USAF Special Operations Force

THE AIR COMMANDO HALL OF FAME
(SHOWN ARE COMBAT CONTROL INDUCTEES ONLY)

The USAF Special Operations Force (SOF) Hall of Fame (HOF) was officially dedicated by BGen Robert L. Cardenas, SOF’s Third commander, April 26, 1969, in conjunction with the seventh anniversary of the Force. Located in the main hallway of the SOF headquarters building, on Eglin AFB, the Hall of Fame includes 20 Air Force men who, through their leadership and dedication, were instrumental in the success and accomplishments in the field of special operations.

These men were chosen, not for a single act of heroism, but for their significant contributions to worldwide special operations. The history of special operations date back to World War II with the formation of the
1st Air Commando Group in 1944. With Colonel Philip G. Cochran as Commander, they were instrumental in supporting British Brigadier Orde C. Wingates' operation in the China-Burma-India Theater.

Tactical Air Command first entered the special operations field in April 1961 with the activation of the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Hurlburt, FL nicknamed “Jungle Jim.” This nucleus trained USAF aircrew in the varied-and-difficult skills of special operations. These airmen in turn, became advisors and instructors to airmen of friendly foreign nations that were potential targets of Communist aggression.

The Special Operations Force was formerly called the Special Air Warfare Center until its redesignation in
July 1968. Because of the increasing emphasis on counterinsurgency training programs, the SOF concept
grew from a training squadron in 1961 to a numbered air force equivalent headquarters with two wings, a special operations school, and global commitments.

The Air Commando Hall of Fame History

The Air Commando Hall of Fame was dedicated in 1968 at the Special Air Weapons Center, Eglin AFB.
Brigadier General Cardenas dedicated the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Force Hall of Fame on 26 April, 1969. Twenty airmen who made special worldwide contributions to special operations were inducted and
their pictures hung on the walls of Special Operations Headquarters, Eglin AFB.

(SHOWN BELOW ARE COMBAT CONTROL INDUCTEES ONLY)
* Indicates Combat Controller who was fully qualified before the Combat Control School existed.

Combat Controllers Inducted in 1969
TSGT RICHARD L. FOXX *
SMSGT CHARLES L. "CHARLIE" JONES *

Combat Controller Inducted in 1994
CMSGT JAMES A. HOWELL *

Combat Controllers Inducted in 1995
COL JOHN T. CARNEY, JR
CMSGT MICHAEL I. LAMPE
SMSGT CLYDE HOWARD

Combat Controller Inducted in 1998
LT COL ROBERT T. SCHNEIDENBACH

Combat Controller Inducted in 1999
CMSGT MICHAEL O. STEINBECK

Combat Controllers Inducted in 2000
MSGT ROGER L. KLAIR
SMSGT JAMES J. STANFORD

Combat Controller Inducted in 2004
CMSGT WAYNE NORRAD

Combat Controller Inducted in 2007
MSGT ANDREW I. MARTIN

Combat Controller Inducted in 2010
CMSGT GENE ADCOCK
CMSGT NICK KIRALLY
CMSGT MIKE RAMOS