Returning to the point of the spear Published Aug. 15, 2008 By 2nd Lt. Raymond Gobberg 27th Special Operations Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- This October, an officer with the 27th Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron will return to the Combat Control arena as a battle-tested Special Tactics Officer. After serving as an enlisted combat controller, 1st Lt. Gabriel Brown, 27th SOLRS fuels flight commander, completed his education and became a commissioned officer, fulfilling, in his words, a "lifelong career dream." This did not come easy, according to Lieutenant Brown. During deployments and between operations, he honed his skills and eventually completed an 18-month industrial technology program, with an emphasis in manufacturing, through a Southern Illinois University at Carbondale extension program. Upon receiving his degree, he left the special tactics community and began his stint as a Logistics Readiness Officer, an experience that has proved to be extremely beneficial, said the lieutenant. "This experience broadened me, made me a better person and gave me a better picture of the Air Force," Lieutenant Brown said. He said the logistics career field provided him with an invaluable look into broad Air Force operations and taught him lessons that he can apply to his career as it progresses. "The biggest thing was, after seeing how the big Air Force operates, I gained a lot of insight that will serve me in the future," he said. Lessons learned aside, Lieutenant Brown itched to get back into the fight. "I miss being a combat control operator," he said. The desire to return to special tactics was satisfied in March of 2008 when he completed training and received orders to report as a Special Tactics Officer in October of the same year. The Lieutenant is no stranger to the elite community that undertakes the most dangerous missions behind enemy lines and prides itself on being the 'First There.' Lieutenant Brown, then a staff sergeant with a detachment of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron at Little Rock Air Force Base, Ark., was an essential part of a quick reaction force sent in March 4, 2002, during Operation Anaconda. What began as a search and rescue mission in a remote region of Afghanistan exploded into a fierce firefight that culminated with the battle of Takur Ghar. As the helicopter that Sergeant Brown and other special operations forces were riding in approached the rescue landing zone, they encountered a barrage of gunfire. "Three or four rocket propelled grenades and small arms fire ripped through the airframe," said Lieutenant Brown. "I remember seeing the bullet holes coming through the side of the helicopter, daylight popping through and dust floating in the air." "All I could think was, 'Here we go.' I knew we were going to war," he continued. The helicopter was finally brought to rest on a flat area of the mountainside and several of the crew members had been killed or were wounded. Sergeant Brown immediately jumped to action and assessed how he could positively affect the situation. "[I thought] what is my job here? What is my role? How do I make an impact," said the lieutenant. He found a dry spot of land and linked up communications to coordinate close air support for the special operations team engaged in the harsh firefight. For the duration of the 18-hour struggle on the mountainside, Sergeant Brown called in airstrikes from various coalition aircraft, eventually neutralizing the enemy threat. "I spoke with at least ten different airframes that day, and they all had a role," said Lieutenant Brown. "From intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance [aircraft] to fighters to bombers, some foreign as well; the whole gamut was participating in this event." Sergeant Brown's extreme professionalism and brave action on that mountainside led to several lives being saved. For his gallantry he was awarded the Silver Star medal, the third highest award given for valor in the face of the enemy. It is these types of situations, ones that most people would avoid at all costs, that Lieutenant Brown has volunteered to lead by crossing back over to the special tactics arena as a STO. "I am ready to go back and be a part of that," Lieutenant Brown said. "I don't want to be deployed and not be on the pointed end." As a STO, he will train and equip special tactics Airmen as well as operate much like he did in Operation Anaconda. "I miss the people and want to make a direct impact. That is why I am going back to combat control," said Lieutenant Brown.