Chief Master Sergeant Michael I. Lampe Warrior ... - Sgt. Mac's Bar

AU/ACSC/8273/AY07
Special Tactics Combat Controllers after the initial assault on
Point Salines, Grenada. From left to right: Technical Sergeant
Rex Evitts, Lieutenant Jeff Buckmelter, Lieutenant Colonel John
“Coach” Carney, Chief Lampe and Staff Sergeant Rob Griffin.
(Picture courtesy of Chief Lampe).
On the re-deployment back to Ft Bragg, Lampe had a lengthy conversation with Rex
Evitts about who was going to replace him and Chief Kiraly. Lampe developed his thoughts
about an assessment and selection process into Det 4, 23 rd Air Force Combat Operations
Squadron (Det 4, NAFCOS). His idea would provide a window into an operator through skills
testing, psychological evaluation, solo and team exercises in austere conditions, and physically
demanding regimen. He briefed his proposal to unit leadership, who endorsed it, and then
formalized the process to become a member in the unit. 36 This process has become the
cornerstone to selecting all unit members and has been validated over time.
In February 1986, Chief Lampe, along with four other USAF members including TSgt.
John C. Jones who was assigned to Det 4, 1722 nd Combat Control Squadron and twelve members
from other services, was invited by President Ronald Reagan to return to Grenada. According to
Chief Lampe, “President Reagan met with each individual for just a few seconds and then spoke
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