Commander gets combat readiness inspiration

  • Published
  • By Capt. Amy West
  • 944th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Survival in a hostile environment demands professionalism, preparation, skill, dedication and the will to fight. The tireless stories of epic battles fought by America's heroes serve as a reminder of what it means to be combat ready.

A life-changing event might be just around the corner, and it is every Airman's responsibility to arm themselves with tools for success, emphasized Col. Michael Popovich, 944th Fighter Wing commander.

Earlier this year, Colonel Popovich had the honor to hear some of those life-changing combat stories from 3rd Force Reconnaissance Company, a U.S. Marine Corps special operations unit in action during the Vietnam War.

"Our Airmen aren't faced with combat in the jungles of Vietnam. Instead they deal with the hills of Afghanistan, deserts of Iraq and other equally inhospitable environments," Colonel Popovich said. "Combat readiness is just as important today for our deploying Airmen as it was for the Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines who preceded us."

These 3rd Force Recon Marines visited Luke Air Force Base during their Force Recon reunion celebrating the Company's 40th anniversary. It was held in Surprise at the home of Tony Attanasio, who in 1969, at the age of 18, was the youngest member of 3rd Force Recon. They relived their Vietnam years with proud stories, displaying the epitome of combat skill, readiness and heroism, recalled Colonel Popovich.

One such story was shared during the presentation of the "Green Ghost" award, in which 3rd Force Recon recognizes its members for their valiant actions in Vietnam, according to Tony Attanasio, a Surprise resident.

The Marines' mission was to conduct amphibious reconnaissance, deep-ground reconnaissance, surveillance, battle space shaping and limited scale raids in support of the Marine expeditionary force. They were fully capable of operating independently behind enemy lines and performing unconventional special operations.

"We named it green ghost because that's what we were; ghosts. We infiltrated in our green camouflage, did our job, and then disappeared without a trace," explained Mr. Attanasio.

U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz, presented this year's award to U.S. Marines Thomas Sexton and Joseph Ventresca for their heroic actions taken Feb. 5, 1970.

As standard practice, 3rd Force Recon sent six-man teams on patrol to infiltrate enemy lines.

On that February morning, a six-man team headed into A Shau Valley on an intelligence-gathering mission.

"We knew it was a hot area [with North Vietnamese Army movement]," Mr. Attanasio said. "We just didn't know how hot!"

Approximately one hour after insertion, the team was ambushed from the rear by approximately a battalion-sized force of North Vietnamese Army. During the ambush and ensuing combat, then-Corporal Thomas Sexton quickly used the field radio to request reactionary force support, relaying that his team was under attack and that his five team members were killed in action. As the sole remaining Marine, he continued to fight off the attackers and evade serious injury while waiting approximately 10 minutes for an AH-1G Cobra to arrive. Fortunately, the helicopter was in the vicinity, assisting another unit, so the crew promptly diverted to assist Corporal Sexton, Mr. Attanasio said.

"Because of the nature of our missions, when we needed reactionary force, 3rd Force Recon had priority," added Mr. Attanasio.

While on the radio coordinating force support, Corporal Sexton gathered all his comrades M-14s, M-16s, ammunition and other gear. He gathered approximately 3,000 rounds, 42 grenades and two claymore mines and continued to fight off the relentless attackers. With constant air support from two Cobras, Corporal Sexton defended his position from the ground for five to six hours.

While Corporal Sexton was on the field radio requesting reactionary force, his commanding officer, now retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Herman Nickerson Jr., meritoriously promoted him to sergeant.

By the time ground support arrived, Sergeant Sexton had exhausted nearly all the ammunition; only one magazine and one grenade remained.

As he boarded the helicopter to depart the ambushed area, Sergeant Sexton adamantly refused to leave behind his five fallen Marines, according to Mr. Attanasio. He loaded all his comrades in the helicopter.

"It's a rule we have," said Mr. Attanasio. "We never leave our own behind."
It was not until the medics evaluated these Marines that they discovered Joseph Ventresca, a corporal at the time, was still alive. Upon ambush, he was wounded with a shot to his head, incapacitating him.

Sergeant Sexton was credited with killing 87 NVAs and also saved his fellow Marine comrade's life.

"I was not on patrol that day," said Mr. Attanasio, a corporal at the time, "but, we never knew when we would be called to action or when something was going to happen. We always made sure we were ready to defend ourselves and our nation."

For his actions that day, Sergeant Sexton received the Navy Cross. Corporal Ventresca received the Bronze Star with Valor and the Purple Heart.

"Visiting Luke Air Force Base was a great experience," Mr. Attanasio said. "Being a special operations unit, we understood how it [the war] worked from the ground when we called in an airstrike."

Because the F-16 Fighting Falcon entered U.S. Air Force operational service in October 1980, F-16s did not provide operational support in Vietnam; however, "It was absolutely great to see up close an aircraft similar to the F-4 Phantom that supported us in the spider holes of Vietnam," Mr. Attanasio added.

Although the war has changed for today's Airmen, the importance of training, fitness and readiness remains the same.

"These 3rd Force Recon heroes are very humble warriors, and it was a tremendous honor to be in their presence, listen to their stories, mingle with their families, and represent the Air Force and the 944th wing," Colonel Popovich said. "Those who went before us have made tremendous sacrifices, and the successes of these great Americans are an example of what all Airmen should strive toward."

Colonel Popovich underscored two words - always ready.

"Not ready just before you take your physical fitness test, not ready just before you deploy; be ready all the time," he said.

He pointed out combat readiness does not only refer to a specific job; it also includes being physically and mentally ready.

"You never know when the stress level will go through the roof; you never know when your deployed location may be attacked, or when you may be in an immediate life-threatening situation," he said. "These heroic Marines were prepared for the worst and faced the worst. It's a great lesson for all of us today and it reminds us to be always ready."