USASOC NEWS SERVICE

RELEASE NUMBER: 040315-01
DATE POSTED: MARCH 15, 2004

Special operators get fans revved-up at NASCAR race

By Spc. Jennifer J. Eidson
U.S. Army Special Operations Command

HAMPTON, Ga. (USASOC News Service, March 15, 2004) — It wasn’t seeing Dale Earnhardt Jr. zoom into the winner’s circle that first brought the fans to their feet — a group of otherwise ‘quiet professionals’ did that before the race had even started.

In front of thousands of cheering NASCAR fans, Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from the U.S. Special Operations Command helped jump-start the Golden Corral 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway here March 14 when they demonstrated some of their military capabilities during prerace festivities.

The race provided a great opportunity for the command’s warriors to demonstrate the quality of their equipment and skills, said Gen. Bryan D. Brown, commanding general of USSOCOM, which is based at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

“It was great to show the people what the military and (our) quality of life is like today,” Brown said.

Members of the command started off their portion of the prerace activities with an aerial demonstration that included an Air Force MC-130 Combat Talon aircraft and MH-47 Chinook and MH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from the Army’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne).

Next, fans watched a video of special operators at work, which was shortly followed by the landing of a Chinook carrying the official pace car for the race, as well as a Black Hawk and three MH-6 Little Bird helicopters that delivered Brown and 12 other special operations warriors to the track.

Brown then took a lap around the track in the pace car, while his troops followed in a truck to the track’s finish line, where they were all introduced to the crowd.

The sponsors of the Nextel Cup Series race said they were glad to have the service members there.

“We are pleased to have the special operations warriors with us for race festivities for the Golden Corral 500,” said Bob McDevitt, senior vice president of marketing for Golden Corral.  “We recognize the importance of our armed forces veterans, and we celebrate their service, patriotism and love of country.”

The fans’ reaction to the service members was unbelievable, said Sgt. Jimmie L. Crutcher, an aircraft special repairman with the 160th. 

“The people cheering you on, giving you a thumbs-up, and just their overall response was incredible,” Crutcher said.

Although Crutcher has volunteered for many things, to include the Army, airborne school and the 160th, he had no idea that this time when he raised his hand it would mean going to the racetrack.

“This was a lot of fun and I had a great time doing it,” Crutcher said.  “I would have continued to deploy and do my job no matter what, but this makes it a lot better.”

Air Force Staff Sgt. Nate Salvemini, a combat controller with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, said that being a part of the race was a once-in-a-lifetime event, and his favorite part was riding around the track and seeing the response of the crowd.

“We didn’t know how proud people are of the military,” Salvemini said.  “The patriotism they have is like no other. (Racing) is a true all-American sport with all-American fans.”

Brown said he was astonished by the capabilities of NASCAR and how the sport is similar to the military.

“I was impressed with the drivers’ meeting,” Brown said.  “It was like a military operations order, with someone in charge telling them the rules.”

The drivers’ meeting was not the only thing that surprised Brown.

“I had no idea … the raw speed of these guys,” he said.  “When they came under the tower, I was mesmerized.  It was much faster than I ever envisioned.”  

The special operations forces present at the race represented elements of the Army, Air Force and Navy and included service members from the 160th SOAR (Abn.), the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), the 21st STS, the 16th Special Operations Wing and the U.S. Navy Special Warfare Command.

12 members of the U.S. Special Operations Command watch the start of the Golden Corral 500 from trackside March 14. The 12 were introduced to the 100,000-plus fans at the Atlanta Motor Speedway during a special special operations demonstration before the race. (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
12 members of the U.S. Special Operations Command watch the start of the Golden Corral 500 from trackside March 14.  The 12 were introduced to the 100,000-plus fans at the Atlanta Motor Speedway during a special special operations demonstration before the race. (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
Members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) load the official pacecar of the Nextel Cup Golden Coral 500 onto an MH-47 Chinook helicopter March 14. Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from the U.S. Special Operations Command participated in the pre-race activities. (Photo by Spc. Jennifer J. Eidson, USASOC PAO)
Members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) load one of the official pacecars of the Nextel Cup Golden Corral 500 onto an MH-47 Chinook helicopter March 14.  Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from the U.S. Special Operations Command participated in the pre-race activities.  (Photo by Spc. Jennifer J. Eidson, USASOC PAO)
Three MH-6 Little Bird helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) prepare to touch down on the Atlanta Motor Speedway March 14 during the Golden Corral 500 NASCAR race. The helicopters delivered a dozen special operations warriors representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force fighters of the U.S Special Operations Command. (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
Three MH-6 Little Bird helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) prepare to touch down on the Atlanta Motor Speedway March 14 during the Golden Corral 500 NASCAR race.  The helicopters delivered a dozen special operations warriors representing the Army, Navy, and Air Force fighters of the U.S Special Operations Command.  (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
An MH-47E Chinook from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) approaches its landing point at the beginning of turn #1 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway March 14 during the Golden Corral 500 NASCAR race. Inside the helicopter is the race's pace car. (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
An MH-47E Chinook from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) approaches its landing point at the beginning of turn #1 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway March 14 during the Golden Corral 500 NASCAR race.  Inside the helicopter is the race's pace car.  (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
Gen. Bryan D. Brown and 12 of his special operations troops react to a standing ovation from the crowd at the Atlanta Motor Speedway March 14 during the Golden Corral 500 NASCAR race. Representing the U.S. Special Operations Command are: (left to right) Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathen Salvemini, 21st Special Tactics Squadron; Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert O'Connor, 21st Special Tactics Squadron; Army Sgt. Jason M. Watts, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne); Army Spc. Jimmie L. Crutcher, 160th SOAR; Army Sgt. 1st Class James A. Smith, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Army Gen. Bryan D. Brown, USSOCOM commander; Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Mazzone, 16th Special Operations Wing; Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Jessup, 16th SOW; Army Sgt. 1st Class Todd E. Adams, 5th SFG; Navy HM2 Nelson Sanchez, Navy SEAL; Navy AO1 Patrick R. Melim II, Navy SEAL; Army Cpl. Travis Watson, 75th Ranger Regiment; and Army Pfc. Lee Holstein, 75th Ranger Regt. (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
Gen. Bryan D. Brown and 12 of his special operations troops react to a standing ovation from the crowd at the Atlanta Motor Speedway March 14 during the Golden Corral 500 NASCAR race.  Representing the U.S. Special Operations Command are: (left to right) Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathen Salvemini, 21st Special Tactics Squadron; Air Force Staff Sgt. Robert O'Connor, 21st Special Tactics Squadron; Army Sgt. Jason M. Watts, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne); Army Spc. Jimmie L. Crutcher, 160th SOAR; Army Sgt. 1st Class James A. Smith, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne); Army Gen. Bryan D. Brown, USSOCOM commander; Air Force Tech. Sgt. Thomas Mazzone, 16th Special Operations Wing; Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Jessup, 16th SOW; Army Sgt. 1st Class Todd E. Adams, 5th SFG; Navy HM2 Nelson Sanchez, Navy SEAL; Navy AO1 Patrick R. Melim II, Navy SEAL; Army Cpl. Travis Watson, 75th Ranger Regiment; and Army Pfc. Lee Holstein, 75th Ranger Regt. (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
A flight of four helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) touch down at Tara Field, Hampton, Ga., on March 12. The helicopters were part of the prerace activities for the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 14. (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
A flight of four helicopters from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) touch down at Tara Field, Hampton, Ga., on March 12.  The helicopters were part of the prerace activities for the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on March 14.  (Photo by Walt Sokalski, USASOC PAO)
Members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) speak with the crew members of the special operations aircraft preparing to fly into the Nextel Cup Golden Corral 500 March 14 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from the U.S. Special Operations Command participated in the pre-race activities. (Photo by Spc. Jennifer J. Eidson, USASOC PAO)
Members of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) speak with the crew members of the special operations aircraft preparing to fly into the Nextel Cup Golden Corral 500 March 14 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.  Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from the U.S. Special Operations Command participated in the pre-race activities.  (Photo by Spc. Jennifer J. Eidson, USASOC PAO)
The 82nd Airborne Division's chorus sings the national athem March 14 during the pre-race show of the Nextel Cup Golden Corral 500. (Photo by Spc. Jennifer J. Eidson, USASOC PAO)
The 82nd Airborne Division's chorus sings the national athem March 14 during the pre-race show of the Nextel Cup Golden Corral 500.  (Photo by Spc. Jennifer J. Eidson, USASOC PAO)