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Staff Sergeant Scott Sather entered the U.S. Air Force May 13, 1992 and completed basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. Immediately after basic training, he entered the arduous Combat Control pipeline training course. Combat Controllers are the US Air Force Special Operation Command’s ground combat forces. Their mission is to deploy into hostile territory to establish assault zones with air traffic control capabilities, provide terminal navigation aids, and the demolition and removal of obstacles. They are trained to carry out their mission via parachute, SCUBA, mountaineering, or any number of tactical insertions into enemy territory. Following the graduation of one of our nation’s most demanding military qualification courses, Sergeant Sather was assigned to the 321st Special Tactics Squadron, United Kingdom. He returned to the United States on an assignment to the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, McChord AFB, Washington. On April 30, 1999. Sergeant Sather applied for and was accepted for special duty assignment with the 24th Special Tactics Squadron (STS), the USAF’s premier Special Tactics unit. Sergeant Sather distinguished himself in multiple combat engagements while assigned to 24 STS. He was known for his intensity, exceptional operator skills, and strong leadership qualities. Sergeant Sather deployed twice supporting ground combat operations in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Sergeant Sather conducted numerous classified operations against the enemy. Within days of returning from his second OEF deployment, he was fully involved in the planning of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). During OIF Sergeant Sather led the crossing of the Iraqi border on the opening days of the ground war and continued to play a key leadership role throughout his employment in the war. Sergeant Sather was assigned to Gold Team, Special Tactics Team Member, 24th Special Tactics Team Member, 24th Special Tactics Squadron, attached to the Regimental Ranger Reconnaissance Detachment supporting a Joint Task Force at the time of his death. Scott was killed in action by hostile weapon fire on April 8, 2003, and after funeral services in Iraq and in Clio, Michigan, he was buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors.