Retired TACP reflects on 37 years of Air Force service

Published Feb. 16, 2014
By Maj. Khalid Cannon
380th Air Expeditionary Wing

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- After serving almost 23 years as an enlisted Tactical Air Control Party specialist and almost 14 years as an Air Force civilian employee, Bruce Morrison said that he admires the Force Support and TACP specialists he has served with over the past 37 years.

Morrison, who grew up in Boston, is currently the 380th Force Support Squadron deputy commander and is deployed from the 31st FSS, Aviano Air Base, Italy.

"The highlight of my time as Force Support deputy commander came when Aviano was tasked to support Libyan operations during Operations Unified Protector and Odyssey Dawn," said Morrison.

"We had a 50 percent reduced officer manning, a heavy operations tempo, and the FSS leadership consisted of three company grade officers and five non-commissioned officers. Our commander was deployed and we had to bed down both U.S. and coalition forces supporting the operations."

As a result of the quality of the support and customer service provided to Aviano guests and coalition partners, his squadron won the 2011 General Curtis E. LeMay Award, which is given to the best FSS in the Air Force.

Throughout his years as a TACP and commandant of the TACP schoolhouse, Morrison said he learned leadership skills that he has applied throughout his time in FSS.

"You have to give your people the tools to succeed, which include the flexibility and independence to accomplish the mission," said Morrison.

When family members would approach him after TACP graduation ceremonies, they would thank him for the maturity they saw in their sons.

"That meant a lot to me, and I saw what an impact instructors can make in their students' lives," said Morrison.

Chief Master Sgt. Martin Klukas was one of Morrison's trainees who went through technical school in 1984 as an Airman Basic. Klukas is now the command chief for Air Combat Command.

While at the schoolhouse, Morrison learned how to develop lesson plans and conduct instructor evaluations, which assisted his transition into his civilian Air Force career.

After his retirement from active duty, Morrison worked in fields that directly related to his close air support experience, including a position as an Air Force Special Operations Command instructional systems operator and curriculum developer for both AC-130 and MC-130 aircraft.

After a year there, he then went on to work for four years at the ACC Air Operations Center's Formal Training Unit as an instructional systems designer where he helped develop courses for the five AOC divisions that provided joint training.

Morrison's introduction and appreciation for FSS came when he applied for an operations flight chief position with the 344th Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas.

"We trained five thousand Airmen annually in safety, services, life support, TEMPEST and enlisted aircrew undergraduate training operations," said Morrison.

While there, he said he gained an appreciation for FSS Airmen, particularly their impact while performing fitness, food, lodging, readiness, mortuary and honor guard duties.

Tech. Sgt. Eric Ross, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing protocol office NCO in charge, had an opportunity to work with Morrison while both were assigned to the 344th TRS.

"Mr. Morrison is a man that is dedicated to taking care of his people and a man of integrity," said Ross. "He was always willing to listen and mentor whenever he had the chance."

Because Morrison completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees on active duty, he said he tries to motivate young Airmen to do the same.

"I encourage them to take advantage of all the education benefits they can while on active duty because that will help them as they transition into civilian careers," said Morrison.

"Being a good and successful Airman is a simple formula: respect all, take care of each other and give 100% in everything you do."