Ramón Colón-López Explained

Ramón Colón-López
Nickname:"Chief C-Z"
"C-Lo"[1]
Birth Date:21 October 1971
Birth Place:Ponce, Puerto Rico
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Air Force
Serviceyears:1990–2023
Unit:24th Special Tactics Squadron 48th Rescue Squadron
Battles:Gulf War
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Northern Watch
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Awards:Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Defense Superior Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal (2)

Ramón Colón-López (born October 21, 1971) is a retired senior non-commissioned officer of the United States Air Force and a former pararescueman, and served as the 4th Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman (SEAC) from December 13, 2019 to November 3, 2023. In his role as SEAC, Colón-López was the most senior enlisted member of the United States military. In 2007 he was the only Hispanic American among the first six airmen to be awarded the newly created Air Force Combat Action Medal.[2] He served as the Senior Enlisted Leader of United States Africa Command from September 2016 to November 2019.[3]

Early life and family

Colón-López was born to Vilma López and Ramon Colon-Torres in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico,[4] [5] located in the southern coast of the island. His family moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut and in 1989, he graduated from Kolbe Cathedral High School. Colón-López wanted to pursue a degree in the field of biology and attended Sacred Heart University. However, after two semesters, on 10 December 1990, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and trained as a Transportation Specialist.[6]

Military career

After graduating basic military training as a Transportation Specialist at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Colón-López was stationed at Iraklion Air Station in Crete. He was deployed during the Gulf War.[7] In 1994, he volunteered for Pararescue duty training and completed his training in 1996 with 12 of his original 113 PJ candidates.[4] [8] After completing the PJ "pipeline" he was assigned to the 48th Rescue Squadron out of Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. While a member of the 48th RQS he participated in various assignments, among which were Operation Southern Watch and Operation Northern Watch as Combat Search and Rescue Team Leader. He left the 48th RQS in January 1999 to join the 24th Special Tactics Squadron, located at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina.[4]

24th Special Tactics Squadron

From 1999 to 2005 Colón-López was a member of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron as a Special Tactics Element Leader.[8] While a member of the 24th STS, from July 2002 to September 2004, Colón-López was deployed four times to Afghanistan as part of a joint task force to several classified locations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.[4] While deployed he participated in a series of joint operations, including direct assaults and combat search and rescue missions. During this time he also protected future Afghanistan president, Hamid Karzai, and received his first Bronze Star Medal with valor for his actions under fire while supporting Karzai's security detail.[4] [9] His second Bronze Star Medal was for his actions after his helicopter was shot down during a mission in Afghanistan. After the helicopter crash landed, two Navy SEALs and Colón-López assaulted fortified enemy positions, killing five combatants and ensuring the safety of the remaining crew.[4] He was selected to create and implement the unit's compartmented Personnel Recovery Advance Force Operations team, which serviced the entire Joint Special Operations arena.[7]

On March 11, 2004, Colón-López, together with his Advance Force Operations Team and elements of the Afghan National Strike Unit, participated in an operation which required the capture of a high level target and a follow-on site exploitation with the intention of preventing the proliferation of chemical weapons. His helicopter drew hostile enemy fire yet Colón-López continued on his mission, which resulted in two enemy kills, the capture of 10 enemy troops and the destruction of multiple rocket propelled grenades and small caliber weapons.[10] In January 2005, after Colón-López returned to the United States, he was named Superintendent of Training and later as interim Commandant of the Pararescue and Combat Rescue Officer School.[7] [11] [12]

Later career

On June 13, 2007, Colón-López became the first Hispanic, and one of the first six airmen, to be awarded the newly created Air Force Combat Action Medal. It was bestowed upon him by Air Force Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley at the Air Force Memorial, in Washington, D.C.[13] The medal was created to recognize Air Force members who are engaged in air or ground combat "outside the wire" in combat zones. Airmen who are under direct and hostile fire, or who personally engaged hostile forces with direct and lethal fire are eligible to receive the award.[14] The other five airmen to receive the award were Major Steve Raspet; Master Sergeant Byron P. Allen; Master Sergeant Charlie Peterson; Staff Sergeant Daniel Paxton; and Captain Allison K. Black.[13]

After leaving the PJ/CRO Schoolhouse Colón-López returned to Pope Field and the 24th Special Tactics Squadron as the unit's Senior Enlisted Advisor from April 2009 to April 2011.[8] As of 2009 a mannequin of Colón-López is featured at the United States Air Force Museum located in Dayton, Ohio, in the museum's "Warrior Airmen" exhibit.[15] [16]

After serving as the SEA for the 24th STS for two years, Colón-López then served as the inaugural Group Superintendent of the 724th Special Tactics Group at Pope Field, which was activated on 30 April 2011. However, he only held the position for six months before becoming the Command Chief Master Sergeant of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field on November 30, 2011.[17] In January 2013 Colón-López was reassigned to the 18th Wing at Kadena AB, Japan where he served as the wing's Command Chief. In addition to his traditional duties as a wing's Command Chief he also served as Kadena Air Base's senior enlisted liaison between the 18th Wing and enlisted personnel from other Department of Defense branches on Okinawa.[8]

In 2013 the Air Force Professional Development Guide (PDG) featured an excerpt regarding Colón-López added in the "Enlisted Heritage" chapter, in which it refers to his actions in Afghanistan that led to his receiving the Air Force Combat Action Medal.[18] The PDG is studied by airmen for the Promotion Fitness Examination portion of the Weighted Airman Promotion System which overall determines promotions to the ranks of Staff Sergeant (E-5) through Technical Sergeant (E-6) Air Force-wide.[19]

In June 2014, Colon-Lopez was selected to replace Chief Master Sergeant Shelina Frey as the command chief for United States Air Forces Central Command.[20]

In May 2022, Colon-Lopez received an honorary rank of master chief by the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard, MCPOCG Heath B. Jones. In 2023, he was honored in his hometown of Guánica, Puerto Rico with a road named after him as "Carretera SEAC Ramon Colon Lopez" on HWY 1116, and on October 24, 2023, he was the inaugural recipient of the Euripides Rubio Medal, presented by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for an accomplished military career with significant valorous combat actions and honor.[21] As the SEAC, Colon-Lopez became the first enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces to be awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal for outstanding contributions to national security in a position of great responsibility. The Defense Distinguished Service Medal is the United States Department of Defense's highest non-combat related military award and it is the highest joint service decoration.

Education

Assignments

  1. April 1991 – October 1992, Traffic Management Specialist, 7276th Air Base Group, Iraklion Air Station, Crete, Greece
  2. October 1992 – September 1994, Traffic Management Journeyman, 12th Transportation Squadron, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
  3. September 1994 – October 1996, Pararescue student, Det 1 342nd Training Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
  4. October 1996 – February 1999, Pararescue Journeyman, 48th Rescue Squadron, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico
  5. February 1999 – January 2005, Special Tactics Element Leader, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
  6. January 2005 – November 2006, Superintendent of Training/Chief Enlisted Manager, USAF PJ/CRO School, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
  7. November 2006 – April 2009, Commandant, USAF PJ/CRO School, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico
  8. April 2009 – April 2011, Senior Enlisted Adviser, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina
  9. April 2011 – November 2011, Group Superintendent, 724th Special Tactics Group, Pope Field, North Carolina
  10. November 2011 – January 2013, Command Chief, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida
  11. January 2013 – June 2014, Command Chief, 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan
  12. June 2014 – June 2016, Command Chief, United States Air Forces Central Command, Southwest Asia
  13. June 2016 – September 2016, Senior Enlisted Advisor, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Headquarters United States Air Force, Pentagon, Washington, D.C.[22]
  14. September 2016 – November 2019, Senior Enlisted Leader, United States Africa Command, Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany[23]
  15. December 2019 – November 2023, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Pentagon, Washington, DC[24]

Awards, decorations and honors

Colón-López' military decorations and badges are the following:[7]

BadgeBasic US Air Force Enlisted Aircrew Badge
BadgeMaster Parachutist Badge
BadgeMilitary Freefall Jumpmaster Badge
1st rowDefense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster[25] Defense Superior Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster
2nd rowLegion of MeritBronze Star Medal with Valor device and oak leaf cluster Defense Meritorious Service Medal
3rd rowMeritorious Service Medal with two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Medal with bronze oak leaf clusterAerial Achievement Medal with two bronze oak leaf clusters
4th rowAir Force Commendation Medal with bronze oak leaf clusterJoint Service Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf clusterAir Force Achievement Medal with bronze oak leaf cluster
5th rowAir Force Combat Action MedalAir Force Presidential Unit Citation with bronze oak leaf clusterNavy Presidential Unit Citation
6th rowJoint Meritorious Unit Award with four bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Meritorious Unit Award with one bronze oak leaf clusterAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor device and three bronze oak leaf clusters
7th rowAir Force Outstanding Unit Award (second ribbon to denote fifth award)Combat Readiness Medal with silver oak leaf cluster and three bronze oak leaf clustersCombat Readiness Medal (second ribbon to denote tenth award)
8th rowAir Force Good Conduct Medal with two silver oak leaf clustersAir Force Recognition Ribbon with bronze oak leaf clusterNational Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
9th rowArmed Forces Expeditionary MedalSouthwest Asia Service Medal with bronze service starAfghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars
10th rowIraq Campaign Medal with one bronze service starGlobal War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with three bronze service starsGlobal War on Terrorism Service Medal
11th rowAir Force Overseas Long Tour Service Ribbon with two bronze oak leaf clustersAir Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold frame and silver oak leaf clusterAir Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
12th rowNon-Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with two bronze oak leaf clustersSmall Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with bronze service starNavy Expert Rifleman Medal
13th rowNavy Expert Pistol Shot MedalAir Force Training RibbonKuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)
Badges (chest pocket)Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification BadgeSpecial Operations Diving Supervisor Badge

Other awards[26]

See also

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Maksel . Rebecca . Kadena Air Base: We Could Take Godzilla . . May 8, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140511105110/http://www.airspacemag.com/articles/godzilla-vs-air-force-180951330/?no-ist . May 11, 2014 . live.
  2. News: Randolph . Monique . Air Force Awards First Combat Action Medals . DoD News via American Forces Press Service (Special Correspondence) . Washington, D.C. . U.S. Department of Defense . 2007-06-12 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20150930232534/https://archive.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=46386 . 2015-09-30 . 2019-10-03 . Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley awarded six airmen the Air Force Combat Action Medal during a ceremony today at the Air Force Memorial. These airmen were the first in the Air Force to receive the new medal. .
  3. News: Chief Master Sergeant Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez, U.S. Air Force – Senior Enlisted Leader . AFRICOM.mil . U.S. Department of Defense . 2016-09-27 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190507165438/https://www.africom.mil/about-the-command/leadership/command-senior-enlisted-leader . 2019-05-07 . 2019-10-03 . Chief Master Sergeant Ramon “CZ” Colon-Lopez is the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Headquarters United States Africa Command (HQ U.S. AFRICOM). .
  4. Web site: Gathering of Eagles Foundation :: Colón-López, Ramón . Goefoundation.com . June 8, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140514170120/http://www.goefoundation.com/index.php/eagles/biographies/c/col-n-l-pez-ram-n/ . 14 May 2014 . dead.
  5. Web site: 1st SOW welcomes new command chief. Dec 23, 2020.
  6. Sarraille . Mike . The Warrior's Path: Ramon 'CZ' Colón-López's Journey from Poverty to Highest Ranks in the U.S. Military. November 30, 2023 . Men's Journal .
  7. Web site: Factsheets : Unknown Fact Sheet . Nationalmuseum.af.mil . June 8, 2013.
  8. Web site: Biographies : Chief Master Sergeant Ramon Colon-Lopez . Kadena.af.mil . June 8, 2013.
  9. Web site: HUNTING THE TERRORISTS DOWN: SMSGT. RAMON COLON-LOPEZ . 2009-04-21 . January 14, 2013.
  10. Web site: News Article: Air Force Awards First Combat Action Medals . Defense.gov . June 8, 2013.
  11. Web site: News Archive – USAF PARARESCUE – That Others May Live . Pararescue.com . 2006-10-07 . June 8, 2013.
  12. Web site: Staff Sgt. Monique Randolph . Airmen receive first AF Combat Action Medals . Af.mil . 16 January 2013.
  13. Web site: Lisa Burgess . Officials honor first recipients of Air Force Combat Action Medal – News . Stripes . June 8, 2013.
  14. http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123048140 Air Force releases combat action medal criteria
  15. http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/01/ap_air_force_museum_011209/
  16. Web site: Sarah Swan . Pararescueman to make special appearance at National Museum of the U.S. Air Force . Nationalmuseum.af.mil . June 8, 2013.
  17. Web site: Michelle Vickers . 1st SOW Command Chief to Airmen: "Carnivores aren't content" . .hurlburt.af.mil . January 19, 2012 . June 8, 2013.
  18. http://www.unitedstatesairman.com/afpam36-2241guide.pdf Air Force Pamphlet 36-2241, Professional Development Guide
  19. Web site: Air Force pamphlet 36-2241: Professional Development Guide. 1 October 2011. Secretary of the Air Force. 2012-04-20.
  20. Web site: News .
  21. Web site: SEAC Ramon Colon Lopez Honored with Captain Euripides Rubio Medal for Exemplary Military Service . www.army.mil . October 24, 2023 . June 18, 2024.
  22. Web site: Command Senior Enlisted Leader Assignment. Department of Defense. 29 September 2017.
  23. Web site: Chief Master Sergeant Ramon "CZ" Colon-Lopez, U.S. Air Force. United States Africa Command. 29 September 2017.
  24. Web site: This Air Force special operator is about to be the Pentagon's top enlisted leader. Meghann. Myers. Oct 17, 2019. Military Times. Dec 23, 2020.
  25. Web site: 231103-D-GD090-1138. 2023-11-03. Flickr.
  26. Web site: Biography:Chief Master Sergeant Ramon Colon-Lopez . Jan 2013 . March 7, 2013.
  27. Web site: Gathering of Eagles Foundation :: Colón-López, Ramón . www.goefoundation.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140514170120/http://www.goefoundation.com/index.php/eagles/biographies/c/col-n-l-pez-ram-n/ . 2014-05-14.

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