In a manner replicating the quiet strength of our special forces, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) changed commanders.  Lt. General Paul Hester, formerly the commander of the U.S. Forces Japan and 5^th Air Force, assumed command of the air arm of our special operations forces from retiring Lt. General Maxwell “Clay” Bailey at Hurlburt Field, AFSOC headquarters.  The ceremony was conducted without fanfare and high security – the modus operandi of the Special Forces community.

The Air Force Special Operations Command is the Air Force component of the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), a unified command comprised of all services.  USSOCOM has been conducting a major portion of the campaign routing the al-Qaida network.  Units of AFSOC fly specialized stealthy unconventional aircraft such as the AC-130 Gunship, MC-130 Combat Talon/Shadow, and the MH-53 Pave Low helicopter. Although Lt. General Hester’s background has been primarily in fighter aircraft he has an impressive military career and the full confidence of both Lt. General Bailey and the commander of the Air Combat Command, General John Jumper.  And he is no stranger to Northwest Florida having served as the 53rd Wing Commander at Eglin Air Force Base in 1997.

Lt. General Hester began his career in 1971 upon being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant from the Reserve Officer Training Corps of the University of Mississippi.  Upon completion of pilot training he began a flying career with stints in the A-7 Corsair, F-4 Phantom, F-15 Eagle and F-16 Flying Falcon. He has also logged time in the MC-130. 

Lt. General Hester’s promise was apparent – barely 39 years of age he was selected to be the Chief, U.S. House of Representatives liaison for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force for Legislative Liaison.  From there he was tapped for the prestigious National War College.  In between progressively more responsible positions of command Lt. General Hester was selected for highly coveted educational programs including the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; the National War College; the Program for Senior Officials in National Security, Harvard University; Senior Defense Fellow, Center for International Affairs, Harvard University; and the Executive Program for General Officers of the Russian Federation and the United States, Harvard University.  His keen understanding of the political arena landed him back at the Pentagon as the Director of Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force, in 1997 right after his tour at Eglin AFB.

Lt. General Hester will be commanding an organization comprising 12,500 personnel of which 20 percent are deployed overseas.  He will also be contending with the shadowy and elusive face of terrorism on fronts of conflict that shift unpredictably.  Preparing and sustaining these forces will be a constant challenge as well as ensuring they are properly equipped.  One of the primary issues will be acquiring the CV-22 Osprey, a hybrid rotary wing aircraft that converts to conventional flight and represents considerable employment enhancements.  The program was troubled by early flight test problems but is deemed necessary for fleet modernization.

Lt General Hester and is wife Linda are delighted to be back in Northwest Florida.  And Northwest Florida is equally fortunate to have a leader of his caliber commanding this uniquely special organization.

© 2002 Scott Jackson

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