CITATION TO ACCOMPANY INDUCTION INTO THE
AIR COMMANDO HALL OF FAME FOR
THOMAS E. DULEY

CMSgt Thomas E. Duley distingushed himself by exemplary performance
as an AC-130U (SPOOKY Flight Engineer, Chief Enlisted Manager, 4th
Special Operations Squadron, and !st Special Operations Group
Superintendent, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Throughout his nearly 27 year Air Force career, he eptiomized the
professional airman; an outstanding Special Operator, Flight Engineer on C-141B,
Special Operations Low-Level missions to ultimately flying direct action
missions on AC-130U Gun ships, Chief Duley was at the tip of the spear.
During the early days of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Chief Duley and the
crew he was flying with led the successful assault on the Ansar Al-Islam
terrorist staging facility. this compound was Washington's #1 priority in
Northern Iraq, containing a massive ammunition and weapons cache, their
mission eliminated this location. While engaging hostile targets over the
insurgent enclave of Sadr City, Chief Duley rapidly indentified a severe
propeller malfunction and quickly isolated the problem while his crew was successfully evading an engagement by two 23 -millimeter anti-aircraft batteries.
As a gunship visionary, Chief Duley authored and executed a comprehensive
brief to US Special Operations Command and the Undersecretary of Defense for Special Operation outlining future gunships requirements. His unique perspective, coupled with his combat experience, was largely credited for the funding of four additional AC-130U gunships.
During his illustrious career he flew 178 combat missions, amassed over 7,800 flying hours, was awarded four Air Medals and four Meritorious Service Medals. Chief Duley's
extraordinary dedication to the special operations mission and the USAF reflect great credit upon himself, Air commando's, Air Force Special Operations and the United States Airforce.