“First There” is the motto of the United States Air Force Combat Controllers.
Combat Controllers are part of the Special Operations community and act as an attachment to other specialized teams like the Navy SEALs, Delta, Special Forces, and others. They are trained in a variety of skills that include scuba diving, parachuting, snowmobiling, and air traffic control.
In the fight, they call down air assets to help control the battlespace. In peacekeeping or humanitarian missions, they set up and operate incoming and outbound aircraft.
Those who make it through the selection and rigorous training earn the scarlet beret.
In February, Freedom Alliance hosted a group of six red berets—Combat Controllers—to the Offshore Experience program in Costa Rica.
The roster was impressive:
Caleb from North Carolina, served five years and deployed to Afghanistan, conducting combat operations in which his team came under direct and indirect enemy contact.
Ryan served 12 years and deployed three times to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other undisclosed locations.
Brian served 15 years as a Combat Controller and deployed in 2001, 2002, and 2006.
Rick has just retired after 20 years of service, having completed more than seven wartime deployments.
Dustin first served in Iraq before earning the scarlet beret, but then developed brain cancer and was medically discharged.
Jeremiah joined us from Montana. He served 13 years, deploying six times to Afghanistan and the Philippines.
We began our first full day in Costa Rica with a physically challenging (well, maybe not for these guys!) hike to the Catarata Manatial de Agua Viva, or in English, the “Living Water Spring Waterfall.” The hike involves a very steep drop down into a gorge that accommodates the beautiful “living water” cascade.
After spending time admiring the waterfall, we hiked a little farther down to a swimming hole where the men dove and bathed in the chilly water surrounded by a jungle cathedral.
The following day, we were treated to an offshore adventure on the 72-foot Viking Goose, donated by owner Rick Stavola. Captain Bob Watson steered our group to the fishing grounds in hopes of a big day…and he delivered!
Bob has been participating in our events at Los Sueños since the early days, and he says these times when he can give our troops a memorable day on the water are his favorite. Deckhands Greg Keck and “Toro” worked tirelessly in the cockpit to prep for the ideal offshore adventure.
The first fish on the line was a blue marlin, and Jeremiah reeled it in. We caught a total of three marlin, seven sailfish, and three mahi. The epic moment of the day happened when Dustin reeled in a 350-pound marlin, which almost leapt into the cockpit, where onlookers Rick and Jeremiah were filming the catch on their phones.
Pumped from the previous day’s success, the group was welcomed next onto a brand-new 74-foot Hatteras, Kari Marie, by owner/operator Mike Winget. Mike has been supporting our programs in Costa Rica since he first brought his former boat here.
The men inquired about tuna, so after a morning bite that comprised a sail and a mahi, Mike began the search. He found a pod of spinner dolphins, and we switched tackle to pursue tuna. The men were ecstatic as we hauled in 11 tuna that afternoon.
Mike delighted in the savvy of our combat controllers, who were highly interested in the boat’s technology and (with permission) began to use the in-dash touchscreens to locate flocks of birds that signal sea life. They even gaffed their own fish, under the watchful eyes of deckhands Captain Adres and Esteban.
That evening, Freedom Alliance supporter Andrew Shapiro invited the group to a local restaurant, where the mahi and tuna they’d caught was cooked for dinner.
For their final day in Costa Rica, Jimmy Kitchell treated us to an escape to Isla Tortuga via his tour boat Costa Cat. Jimmy has donated this tour to every group we’ve hosted since he started Costa Cat Cruises.
The men enjoyed snorkeling and relaxing on the white sands of Isla Tortuga, and we ended the day with a short tour. After taking a group photo holding the USAF Combat Control flag, they gave the flag to Jimmy as a token of their appreciation.
Although the adventure and vacation aspects of the Offshore Experience are indeed memorable and picturesque, we pride ourselves particularly on the curriculum we follow throughout the event. This consists of structured sessions developed with the help of psychotherapist and author Dr. Edward Tick. The curriculum dives into warrior culture and how the warriors of ages past addressed the “burdens of war”—what we would call PTSD today.
After the event, Caleb wrote to us regarding the sessions: “They have given me a completely unexpected breath of fresh air. I have fought my way through some of the many struggles discussed, and the way you structured and presented the information during the sessions helped me recognize things I have been doing to be successful and things I need to work on.”
He continued, “This experience has given me a tremendous foothold to better understand war and warriors. Without your dedication to the subject and tireless efforts, I would have continued my life and taken time to overcome some of the struggles when time was available. However, having had the opportunity to learn from you, I feel much more equipped and inspired to help myself and my brothers and sisters who are struggling.”
Many thanks to those who make this program possible:
Our lodging needs were donated by Gerald & Virginia Lindholm and Charles & Sharon Miller. Gato Gordo Golf Cart Rentals donated carts for our troops to use for the week. The resort itself continually donates a huge portion of our food bill and treats us to the fine cuisine at their world-class facility.
And many thanks to those who are supporting us financially, especially the late Foster Friess and his wife, Lynn; Will Drost and the William T. and Ethel Lewis Burton Foundation; Gerald & Virginia Lindholm; the Henggeler-Moriarty Family Foundation; Thomas & Deborah Whitesell; Wallis Higginbotham and Tidelands Ford Lincoln; David A. Ball and his wife, Fayebeth; Jim & Wanda Gammon of New Jersey; Jamie Turner of Ringer Swivels; and Smyth McKissick of the McKissick Foundation.
Caleb remarked with all solemnity, “I can say with absolute confidence the past week has been incredibly healing for my lingering wounds of war.” Whereas Jeremiah later said with laughter, “I hate my life and want to come back!” Whether joking or tearing up, the sentiment is the same, and we could not provide this level of experience without our incredible supporters. Thank you!
This article was originally published at: https://www.faoffshore.com/news/2022/3/25/scarlet-berets-and-scarlet-macaws
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