An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Scorpion's last strike: Aviano squadron nears end of final deployment before deactivation

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Airmen assigned to the 603rd Air Control Squadron will finish their final deployment with the 71st Expeditionary Air Control Squadron in Southwest Asia this January.

The squadron, which is based out of Aviano Air Base, Italy, has its roots with the very beginnings of the Air Force. It was first activated Dec. 31, 1945, under the U.S. Army Air Corps. The squadron's early years provided air control for major air operations from World War II to include supporting the Berlin Airlift.

Since 9/11, the squadron's operations have been essential to providing deployed Airmen to control the skies over Afghanistan and Iraq. The squadron also supported Operation New Dawn and operations in the Horn of Africa, said Lt. Col. Stephen Carocci, who is both the commander for the 71st EACS and the 603 ACS.

"Currently I have a majority of my squadron either deployed here or in Kandahar, who on a daily basis provide battle management and command and control over the skies of Afghanistan and support for the Gulf region," Carocci said. "While it will be sad knowing this squadron is making its last deployment, I know it's in the best interests of the Air Force as a whole for the squadron to be deactivated."

Since the start of the squadron's deployment in July, they supported roughly 255,000 square miles of airspace in Afghanistan, while providing support for more than 35,000 Coalition combat sorties. Seeing this direct impact on the war effort makes being a member of the 603rd ACS a unique experience for its Airmen.

"Coming from a career field where it isn't a guarantee to be a part of an air control squadron, has made this assignment meaningful," said Senior Master Sgt. Jamie Kitchen, assigned to the 603rd ACS since October 2008. "Being able to go on these deployments, getting steel on target and supporting the guys on the ground who need air support, is what makes this special."

Unfortunately, the squadron also had to deal with personal tragedy when it came to supporting the war on terrorism. Airman 1st Class Antoine Holt lost his life during a mortar attack and Senior Airman Scott Palomino lost his left leg below the knee during the same attack while they were deployed to Balad Air Base, Iraq, in April 2004. A memorial plaque was dedicated to Holt at the Italian based squadron in 2006.

"One of the things we want to make sure is done right when we leave, is ensure the memorial to Antoine Holt is properly taken care of and not forgotten," said Chief Master Sgt. Virgil Horsley, who's last assignment will be with the 603rd ACS. "Our squadron owes it to his family to remember his sacrifice. 
"
"As for Palomino, he has since gone on to run marathons with a prosthetic leg and by all accounts is one of the most positive people you will ever encounter," Horsley said.

While the history books are finishing the final chapter of the 603rd ACS, the commander said his Airmen have done an amazing job to leave a lasting mark.

"Our squadron's mascot is the scorpion, so we have dedicated this last deployment to be the Scorpions last strike," said Carocci. "The air control community is small, so many of us will run into each other again in the future and remember what we accomplished while in the 603rd ACS."