The Association of Special Operations Professionals 2012 Award Recipients
ASOP Man of the Year 2012 Award Recipient
LTG Michael T. Flynn
Director, Defense Intelligence Agency
The Association of Special Operation Professionals Man of the Year 2012 is awarded to Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn for his selfless and exceptional service to the United States of America. General Flynn has dedicated himself to three decades of service in a variety of staff and command positions in the continental United States, Grenada, Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
In 1981, General Flynn was commissioned as a second lieutenant in military intelligence and began his career specializing in intelligence collection, analysis, and dissemination. General Flynn began his career and served multiple tours at Fort Bragg at the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, and Joint Special Operations Command.
General Flynn's accomplishments include rising through the ranks as platoon leader to commanding the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade which trains US Soldiers to be the electronic cavalry responsible for all aspects of ground intelligence. General Flynn has been a leading figure in special operations intelligence operations in his service as the Director of Intelligence of the Joint Special Operations Command, United States Central Command, Joint Staff, and International Security Assistance Forces.
General Flynn has demonstrated steadfast commitment to his country during various deployments to include Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada and Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti where he served as the Chief of Joint War Plans. During a deployment to Afghanistan in 2002, General Flynn served as the Director of Intelligence, Combined Joint Task Force 180 where he provided invaluable strategic intelligence to deter and defeat the re-emergence of terrorism in Afghanistan from Al Qaeda and Taliban commands.
Throughout his career, General Flynn has consistently pushed for greater information and intelligence sharing. He has been credited with developing innovative techniques for interrogation operations and counter-terrorism tactics that relied on the integration of tactical intelligence into counter-terrorism combat operations of Special Operations Forces.
General Flynn's outstanding leadership elevated him to Assistant Director of National Intelligence, Partner Engagement where he was responsible for integration, coordination and collaboration with the Intelligence Community's domestic, international, military, and private sector partners.
General Flynn remains a vital contributor to our nation's security as the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Through his leadership, the DIA provides defense intelligence to deliver a decision advantage to warfighters to defend America's national security interests.
Therefore, in recognition of his exemplary leadership and his dedication to protecting life, liberty, and justice, ASOP proudly presents the ASOP Man of the Year 2012 Award to Lieutenant General Michael T. Flynn this 7th day of November, 2012.
COL Aaron Bank 2012 Award Recipient
CSM George A. Bequer
CSM, USASOC
The COL Aaron Bank Award 2012 is presented to Command Sergeant Major George A. Bequer for his tremendous contribution to the advancement of the objectives and philosophy of Special Operations Forces. For nearly three decades, CSM Bequer has tirelessly served the special operations community in Panama, Afghanistan, and the United States.
In 1984, CSM Bequer graduated from the Special Forces Qualification Course and began his exemplary special operations career at 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne). During his nearly 30 years of service, CSM Bequer rose through the ranks from a junior weapons sergeant to the top enlisted Soldier of numerous battalions of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne).
Throughout his career, CSM Bequer's experience proved invaluable when it came to teaching, training, and mentoring Special Forces Soldiers. From his time as an instructor/writer at the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course at the 1st Special Warfare Training Group to his service as the Command Sergeant Major of Special Operations Command Central, CSM Bequer has been instrumental in planning and conducting joint special operations training exercises and producing America's finest special operators.
CSM Bequer's outstanding leadership as the Command Sergeant Major of Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan from 2003 to 2004 and from 2008 to 2009 resulted in him earning three Bronze Stars for direct support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
CSM Bequer has been recognized for his exemplary service and courageous leadership by being awarded not only the Bronze Star but also the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He has earned the Combat Infantryman Badge, Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge and the Military Free Fall Badge.
CSM Bequer's steadfast commitment to the objectives of Special Operations elevated him to his current assignment as Command Sergeant Major, U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). As the top enlisted Soldier of USASOC, his operational experience has strategically placed 5,000 specially selected and trained USASOC Soldiers operating in high-risk environments around the world.
Therefore, in sincere appreciation of his energy and enthusiasm that never wanes and personal sacrifice to ensure safety and freedom of the United States of America, the Association of Special Operations Professionals proudly presents the COL Aaron Bank Award to Command Sergeant Major George A. Bequer on this 6th day of November 2012.