Randolph AFB - Airmen's Heritage Park - Tribute to MSgt John Chapman

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Recently took the fam to a park on base and came across something I wanted to share.

Medal of Honor recipient MSgt John A. Chapman memorial

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In this monument with a wall of MoH memorials, this one I find to be particularly special in that the acts of gallantry were actually recorded on video. It's difficult to imagine being in such a harrowing and desperate situation but this man stood to the occasion until the very end.

Disclaimer: I am not trying to debate geopolitics nor make any case for the morality of the war in Afghanistan.


After viewing the video, I was struck with sheer awe in the performance of MSgt Chapman so decided to buy this book going into much more detail about the man and USAF Combat Controllers in general.

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I'm about 50 pages in and one thing that left a significant impression was an aspect of their training informally referred to as "Indoc".

Particularly, it was the aquatic training involving oxygen deprivation. As one who was Swim Qual First Class trained in the Marine Corps, Combat Controller training made that look like playing in the kiddy pool.



Here is a video documenting the ordeal.

That's all I have for now. I had this post draft saved for a while but glad I waited as now I have more insight. Thus far, I would recommend the book especially if you are a military or history enthusiast. See yall next time!

Thanks for stopping by ✌️



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Just read about this battle and Combat Controller Calvin Markham's contributing to the victory via coordinating close air support culminating in the dropping of 27 2,000 pound bombs on the Taliban line which likely prevented their observation post from being overrun. Hell of a story

https://historica.fandom.com/wiki/Battle_of_Bagram

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