STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
SMSgt Clifton Wrencher, U.S. Air Force (1980-2003)

I decided to join the Air Force to serve my country further and travel the world. I had already been in the North Carolina Army National Guard for four years when I made the decision. It was time to get away from my day-to-day feelings of unfulfillment.

The Security Forces career field was challenging and demanding. It offered a lot of prestigious assignments, but the work forced you to stay focused. If not, someone would very well be hurt or killed. I tried retraining a couple of times, but a crisis or war caused the career field to be frozen. The assignments were Andrews AFB, Zaragoza AB, Avon Park Bombing Range, Soesterberg AB, Howard AFB, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Keflavik NAS, and Maxwell-Gunter AFB. After my Keflavik, Iceland assignment, I decided to return to Maxwell to teach leadership and management. I didn’t like the long periods in between classes, and the leadership there wouldn’t allow me to work with the Security Forces during downtime.

I was assigned to the 24th Security Forces at Howard Air Force Base, Panama, from 1994 to 1998. While there, Operation Safe Haven began. This campaign involved monitoring and protecting Cuban migrants and us until they could be relocated. Rock fights and riots were a daily concern. I ended up heading 132 men and women over three camps, ensuring adequate work/rest cycles. Most were there through the holidays for Safe Haven, which continued through March 1995. Then, we were off to get prepared for our Operational Readiness Inspection (ORI). Guess who had to lead the troops in riot control and other significant parts of the exercise.

Entering the Cuban camps to calm rioting migrants was very uneasy. We were usually outnumbered by hundreds and only had a riot baton and flex cuffs. You had better be alert, or else some of these guys were huge, like Lee Ferrigno, and we tried to get all like them on our side. They made weapons from toothbrushes and anything they could put a point on or batter with. Plus, these guys could throw rocks so hard they embedded them in the doors, which were covered with thick sheet metal.

I loved all my assignments with Maxwell Air Force Base; although good, it was my least favorite. Consider that Andrews Air Force Base, MD, and Presidential Security as the first, Zaragoza Air Base, Spain fighter training and an alternate Space Shuttle site next, then Avon Park Bombing Range, FL, sharing the site with Florida State Prison and Wildlife and Game, plus the aircraft that only did night missions. From there, there was Soesterburg Air Base, The Netherlands, and Camp New Amsterdam, which had fighter missions. It was followed by Howard Air Force Base, Panama, where we worked jointly with the Army and Navy to secure the Panama Canal and conduct drug interdiction. Next up was Maxwell Air Force Base, the home of Air War College, Officer Training School, Air Command and Staff College, International Officer School, and daily security operations. Then came Keflavik Naval Air Station, Iceland, which was shared with the United States Navy, where we did air interdiction as the Navy secured the waters. I returned to Maxwell-Gunter as an instructor of leadership and management for my last assignment. t was here, and I knew my retirement time had come. I loved what I did; there just wasn’t enough of it. I sensed the military was changing, and I wouldn’t say I liked where the change was taking it.

There are far too many memories to list, including my memories of really good friends like Paul and Laverne Ford, Richie Rose, Cliff Frazier and Raymond Carr, Rodney Brown and Michelle Carodine, Michael Ivison, Woodrow Carter, and Kevin Lynn.

I also recall creating a Defender Olympics for the troops when at Keflavik NAS, Iceland. This was a one-week tournament in which all security forces personnel got the opportunity to participate in various sports, including weightlifting, basketball, a three-mile run, pushups, sit-ups, weapons qualification, softball, a free-throw contest, dodgeball, tug-of-war, and volleyball. The event ended with an award ceremony, including gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Being chosen for the first assignment for Presidential Security (Regan). Providing PSO ops for NSA Brent Scowcroft and Margret Thatcher, a confidential investigator for SHAPE, who are in leadership positions to affect troops’ career positivity. Surviving and making it to retirement.

No medal means more to me than any other. They are connected, with the highest not possible if not for the ones below it.

SMSgt Hoyt Gamble was sharp, the Superintendent of Operations, and I knew he would be the Chief of Presidential Security after the current chief retired or left. I was correct. His and SSgt Paul Ford’s military bearing, dress, and appearance were always outstanding.

MSgt Juan Ortiz used to tell us to work hard and party hard. He was a good man, but I think my interpretation of what he meant was off. My subsequent actions over the years taught me life lessons that helped me appreciate my new life with Christ today.

Major Cheryl Dozier, Capt. Brett Lyons and TSgt Jeffrey Locke. When I received a DUI at Soesterberg AB, they were incredibly supportive. Locke picked me up for work when possible, helped me keep my chin up, and never doubted my value to the unit and my abilities. Dozier and Lyons continued to let me perform in leadership positions, and when the unit failed its ORI, they selected me to head the training section. After performing outstandingly there, I was selected as Deployment Manager, NCOIC of Investigations, and closed the base as the last Chief of Security Forces.

Colonel Jones selected me to head 132 personnel during the Cuban riots and later to lead actions ORI preparation and confrontation management at Howard AFB. We received an outstanding award, and he later thanked me under his breath, as he didn’t want his boys to witness the praise. George Pease – Helped to reinforce what leaders are and how leaders act. He selected me to run the administration section, and the organization ran like a well-oiled machine. Chief Funk relied on me for the tough tasks because he knew things would be done right.

Major Scott Farrar believed in and supported me at Keflavik NAS even though I allowed myself to get into a difficult situation. I rebounded quickly and led the organization to two prestigious awards, Best Medium-Sized Unit and Best Antiterrorism/Force Protection Unit.

I have memories of really good friends, like Paul and Laverne Ford (Andrews AFB, MD), Richie Rose (Zaragoza, Spain), Cliff Frazier and Raymond Carr (Avon Park Bombing Range), George Pease, Don Funk, Rodney Brown and Michelle Carodine (Howard AFB, Panama), Michael Ivison (Maxwell AFB, AL), Woodrow Carter (Keflavik NAS, Iceland), and Kevin Lynn (SNCOA Maxwell-Gunter AFB, AL), to name a few.

None I can recall.

After retirement, I accepted a job as a Federal Police Officer, which I did until 2014, when I retired. I then worked as a Personnel Security Officer and Credentialing Specialist for the Veterans Affairs Human Resources office, followed by my final three years as a Patient Advocate.

Disabled American Veterans Lifetime Member.

The one thing I wish I had done while serving is to give my life to Christ. I didn’t commit until after retirement, and now, I think of all the lives I could have reached for good. The camaraderie of the military has no equal. I will always miss that.

I really needed Jesus throughout my career but was hearing and not listening to His call. I didn’t know the true value of service until Jesus opened my eyes. Ask, seek, and knock. Enter into a personal relationship with Christ and allow Him to guide you through the rest of your life.

In what ways has TogetherWeServed.com helped you remember your military service and the friends you served with?

TogetherWeServed.com has caused me to reflect on a lot of things I had forgotten and recall some old friends who were distant memories.