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

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airplane was in Lebanon on day three when the terrorists murdered Navy diver Robert Stetham,
and his body was dumped on the tarmac. TWA 847 departed Lebanon for Alegeria and
President Reagan ordered his most elite task force into action. Despite not being fully recovered
from the helicopter fall, Chief Lampe finessed his way on a C-141 headed to Sigonella, Italy,
with the task force leadership. 46 Over the course of two weeks, the opportunities to execute an
airliner takedown never materialized, so the operators trained in hopes of a chance to execute the
mission.
Lampe worked the movement of the task force from Sigonella to Cyprus, and it was
during this move that he had a conflict with Military Airlift Command (MAC). MAC would not
authorize their C-5’s into Cyprus to download the task force helicopters due to the narrow
taxiways and runway. “Lampe had noticed in the based operations office a photo of a C-5 on the
ramp there and realized there was some sort of disconnect. He came to realize that the taxiways
did not meet peacetime operating standards, and Mike argued that their mission was essentially a
wartime one.” 47 Lampe coordinated with base operations to reposition some aircraft and he was
able to successfully bring in the C-5’s and download the helicopters. He developed the parking
plan and employed wing walkers to ensure the safe movement on the aerodrome. The following
day, the deputy commanding general for the task force called Lampe during his sleep cycle, so
Lampe came to the phone after being woken up. Lampe was given a direct order not to land the
C-5’s and to acknowledge the order as per MAC. Lampe said “copy, let MAC know that the
operation went well and the C-5’s have already departed after unloading the helicopters.” 48 The
TWA 847 hostage rescue mission was defused via diplomatic efforts and the remaining hostages
were freed by the terrorists. This mission was a prime example of Chief Lampe always mission
ready and pressing the parameters on leadership decision-making during a crisis.
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