2008 Woodie Awards
ROTC alumnus recently promoted to rank of brigadier general
Catching up with: Michael Callan
By Liz Glazier
Rocket Assistant Focus Editor
Issue date: 9/7/07 Section: Focus
"I would go on roller coasters and throw up and wonder how I would be able to deal with flying a plane," Callan said.
He said he knew it wouldn't be a cakewalk, but he continued reaching for his childhood goals.
He went on to hold numerous positions, including Chief of European Exercises, policy officer on the MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., operations officer and aircraft commander at Royal Air Force in Mildenhall, England and assistant deputy director for special operations at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
From April 2006 to January 2007, Callan was commander of the Air Force Special Operations Force at Hurlburt Field in Florida.
Currently, he is still located at Hurlburt Field in Fort Walden Beach, Fla., as the Commander of the AFSOF, and also holds the position as Director of Air, Space and Information Operations. He was also given the title of brigadier general on Aug. 2.
According to Callan's Air Force biography, he directs special operations for the AFSOC's unit worldwide. This includes 12,900 personnel, 133 aircraft and $4 billion of assets. He also deals with anything having to do with airplane support and training.
He still flies an MC-130P aircraft three or four times a month and has accumulated more than 4,300 flight hours.
Each night, when he's not in the office or flying, Callan struggles with thoughts of whether or not he did the right thing that day in order for their men to come home safely.
He trusts his comrades and knows they are taking action in the right direction, but it is still something that's on his mind.
"I see the benefits of the efforts of those I work with," Callan said.
According to his biography, Callan has received many major awards and decorations throughout the years, such as Legion of Merit, Aerial Achievement Medal and the NATO Medal. But his most meaningful award was given to him after he helped save 11 Germans in 1984.
"All awards are special in their own aspect, but the one that comes to light (for me) is the Air Force Commendation Medal," Callan said.
He said he knew it wouldn't be a cakewalk, but he continued reaching for his childhood goals.
He went on to hold numerous positions, including Chief of European Exercises, policy officer on the MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., operations officer and aircraft commander at Royal Air Force in Mildenhall, England and assistant deputy director for special operations at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
From April 2006 to January 2007, Callan was commander of the Air Force Special Operations Force at Hurlburt Field in Florida.
Currently, he is still located at Hurlburt Field in Fort Walden Beach, Fla., as the Commander of the AFSOF, and also holds the position as Director of Air, Space and Information Operations. He was also given the title of brigadier general on Aug. 2.
According to Callan's Air Force biography, he directs special operations for the AFSOC's unit worldwide. This includes 12,900 personnel, 133 aircraft and $4 billion of assets. He also deals with anything having to do with airplane support and training.
He still flies an MC-130P aircraft three or four times a month and has accumulated more than 4,300 flight hours.
Each night, when he's not in the office or flying, Callan struggles with thoughts of whether or not he did the right thing that day in order for their men to come home safely.
He trusts his comrades and knows they are taking action in the right direction, but it is still something that's on his mind.
"I see the benefits of the efforts of those I work with," Callan said.
According to his biography, Callan has received many major awards and decorations throughout the years, such as Legion of Merit, Aerial Achievement Medal and the NATO Medal. But his most meaningful award was given to him after he helped save 11 Germans in 1984.
"All awards are special in their own aspect, but the one that comes to light (for me) is the Air Force Commendation Medal," Callan said.
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