PJA News, Bull Simons Award,

Published: Wed, 06/14/23

"Once a PJ/CRO, Always a PJ/CRO"

The Bull Simons Award

Chief Master Sergeant Wayne Fisk served with distinction as an Air Force pararescueman (PJ) during his 27-year career. He was involved in the Son Tay Prisoner of War camp raid in North Vietnam and the combat mission rescue of the U.S. merchant vessel SS Mayaguez in Southeast Asia. The Bull Simons Award is presented annually by United States Special Operations Command. The lifetime achievement award recognizes recipients who embody "the true spirit, values, and skills of the special operations warrior." The award is named for Colonel Arthur "Bull" Simons, who epitomized these attributes. Retired Chief Master Sergeant Wayne Fisk was presented the Bull Simons Award on May 10, 2023.

Louisville KY Reunion September 6-10, 2023

Rodeo September 4-9th, 2023

We are looking for a few more Sponsors, if you know anyone that works with the Community or would like to support our Veteran Org, please share this letter, sent them to pjrodeo.com or reach out to me, Bill.watson@pjassociation.com.

Its Go time, There are a lot of awesome things planned for this years Reunion/Rodeo, make sure you get Registered and your room.

Seating at the banquet will be managed based on first come...

Lots of surprises planned here, the 123rd STS is Ready...

For Our Competitors and Sponsors, please go to pjrodeo.com to register your company and TEAM, space is limited this year so get in while you can.

Click Here!

Those attending the Heritage Banquet Saturday, please use the link below to register for the events.

Everyone must register for the Reunion to attend Social events and Saturdays Heritage Banquet. Support Your Organization.

You are NOT Already Registered unless you have a confirmation, the link under Register Now is for when you want to go back in and make changes, add and event etc,

When you are done you will get this and a email Confirmation

We have Done some updates to make it easier...

We have also increased the Bourbon tasting event, so go back and Modify you registration if you want to attended...

Take your time and read the heading, the system works great the first time if you read the instructions, email or call me if you need help.

The PJA Reunion

The PJA Reunion will be held September 6th – 10th, 2023.

Opening ceremony will begin on the 6th at 1700 and the Heritage Banquet on Saturday the 9th, Departures on the 10th. We have arranged hotel accommodations with the Galt House Hotel located in Louisville, Kentucky.

2023 PJ Rodeo

Sept 3 / Sunday
PJR Competitor Registration
Gear-Up, PJR In-Briefing

1500 - 1800 Competitors Registration, Stage Gear

1900 - Welcome Brief (Required for all Competitors)

Sept 4 / Monday
PJR Competition,

0700 - 1600 Precision Parachuting, Freeman Field

1025 A Ave Seymour, IN 47274

1800 - Competitor Social Rm,

Sept 5 / Tuesday
PJR Competition

0700 – 1600 Marksmanship Challenge, thefarmsc.com

1800 – 2000 – Competitor Social/SLWG

Sept 6/ Wednesday
PJR Competition,

0700 - 1500 Urban High Angle Ropes

1700 - 2300 Opening Ceremony Icebreaker/Jumps Demonstration

2130- 2400 PJA Hospitality Social Rm

Sept 7 / Thursday
PJR Competition,

0700 – 1500 Monster Mash, Tactical Medicine Galt House

1830 - 2400 Hospitality Rm

2000 - 2230 CZ Roasting?

Sept 8/Friday
Final PJR Competition,

0800-1100 Mystery Games Final /Competition / With 1 PJA Member

1100-1600 – STAR Vendor Trade Show - Galt House,
Unit Static Display / Recruiting stations / VA Assistance etc./SLWG

1600- 1700 Competitor Rehearsal

1700-1800 VIP Social, SLWG, Competitors , Photos

1800-2000* Rodeo Award Ceremony

Call to seats / Guest Speakers CZ / Open to all Visitors / Cash Bar

The PJ Rodeo

The PJ Rodeo will be held September 4th – 9th, 2023.

Our event and activity host for the 2023 PJ Rodeo will be the 123rd STS, ANG Airlift Wing. Teams from around the world will gather to find out who the Best of the Best is.

2023 PJ Reunion

Sept 6 / Wednesday
Everyone Registers, Activities and Social Events … Dues Must be Current
• 1200 - 1600 Open Registration, Memorabilia, Room/Raffle Sales/Mystery Games
• 1700 - 2300 Opening Ceremony Icebreaker
• 2200 - 2400 PJA Hospitality Social Rm
Raffle sales for Mystery Games $25
• 123rd to bring PA System

Sept 7 / Thursday
Registration, Activities and Social Events … Dues Must be Current
• 0800 - 1400 Golf at Covered Bridge, $140.00 per person
• 1200 - 1500 Memorabilia Room/ Raffle Sales
• 1500 - 1700 Bourbon Tasting tour $25
• 2000 - 2230 The Roasting of CZ
• 1800 - 2400 Hospitality Suite
• 2300 - Drawing for Mystery

Team

Sept 8 / Friday
Registration, Activities and Social Events … Dues Must be Current
• 0800-1100 – Mystery Games, Final Competition Competitors / PJA Members - 1 per Competitor Team / SLWGroup Discussion -TBD
• 0800 - 1100 STAR Vendor Set-up
• 1100 - 1600 STAR Vendor Trade Show Unit Static Display / Recruiting / VA Assistance
• 1500 - 1700 Sip and Paint / Whet Your Palette
• 1630 - 1700 Competitor Rehearsals
• 1700 - 1800 Social SLWGroup / VIP Sponsors /Photos
• 1800 - 2100 Rodeo Award Ceremony - Ballroom - Guest Speaker CZ
• 1800 - 2400 Hospitality Suite Opens
• 2100 - 2400 The PJA Dazzy Duke Dancers, Line Dance Lessons - Open Dance..

Sept 9th / Saturday – General Membership Meeting,
Activities and Social Events,
The PJ Heritage Reunion Banquet
… Dues Must be Current
• 0900 – 1100 – PJA Business Meeting
• PJA Officers/Board of Directors Meeting
• (Dues must be current to attend)
• 0900 – 1030 Zumba Ladies Event
• 1130 – 1500 Motorcycle ride/Tom Beranek
• 1700 - 1800 Reunion Photos (Groups/Couples), Cocktail Hour
• 1800 - 2230 Call to Seating
• 2230 - 2400 Hospitality Suite
• Open Mic Social / Gathering

Sept 10th – / Sunday – Another Spectacular PJ Rodeo and PJA Re-Union comes to an end

Reunion Registration is open, get this done ASAP

Have you made your reservations for Louisville KY, don't miss out on this one, if you thought Tucson was awesome, wait until you see KY.

Arrival should be by Wednesday the 6th of September for the Opening ceremony and Heritage Banquet is Saturday September 9th.

Come in early for the Jump and Shooting competition days.

Make your room Reservations below.

Please note that your reservations need to be confirmed no later than August 3, 2023 and your guests can use the below booking link to make their reservations. They can also call 800-843-4258 and reference group code PRR2023. Use this first link below for all PJA and Sponsors wanting to book a room.

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/trademark/louisville-kentucky/galt-house-hotel-a-trademark-collection-hotel/rooms-rates?&checkInDate=09/02/2023&checkOutDate=09/10/2023&groupCode=PRR2023

This Link is for Competitors / Senior Leasership Team

https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/trademark/louisville-kentucky/galt-house-hotel-a-trademark-collection-hotel/rooms-rates?&checkInDate=09/03/2023&checkOutDate=09/11/2023&groupCode=PJA2023

The PJ Rodeo

The PJ Rodeo will be held September 4th – 9th, 2023.

Our event and activity host for the 2023 PJ Rodeo will be the 123rd RQS, with the 123Rd ANG Airlift Wing.

Competing this year with the teams will be "Callie" the only Military Rescue dog in the service.

2023 PJ Rodeo
Awards Speaker

SEAC; Ramón "CZ" Colón-López is the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the most senior enlisted service member, by position, in the United States Armed Forces, and the principal military advisor to the Chairman on all matters involving joint and combined total force integration, utilization, health of the force, and joint development for enlisted personnel.

"CZ" wanted to make his last official speaking engagement to be for the Pararescue Association and the PJ Reunion. He will be retiring immediately following the 2023 Reunion.

SEAC Colón-López enlisted in the United States Air Force in December 1990. He has held assignments in U.S. Air Forces Europe, Air Combat Command, Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Education and Training Command, Pacific Air Forces, Joint Special Operations Command, and Air Forces Central Command. He has deployed numerous times in support of operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Resolute Support, Inherent Resolve, and to several other classified locations. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for United States Africa Command.

2023 PJ Reunion
Key Note Speaker

Enrique "Ric" Prado, a paramilitary, counter-terrorism, and special/clandestine operations specialist, with a focus on international training operations and programs. Mr. Prado is a twenty-four year veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency where he served as an Operations Officer in six overseas posts. He was Deputy Chief of Station and "Plank Owner" of the original Bin Ladin Task Force/Issues Station under Senior Analyst, Michael Scheuer, as well as Chief of Station in a hostile Muslim country. He also served as Chief of Operations in the CIA's Counterterrorist Center (CTC) during the September 11th attacks, where Mr. Prado helped coordinate CIA/CTC's special operations (SPECOPS) activities with the National Security Council and FBI, as well as with elite U.S. military representatives from Delta Force and SEAL-Team Six, then detailed to CTC/CIA. He retired as Senior Intel Service-2 (SIS-2, Major General equivalent at CIA). Ric is now also a bestselling author on top-ten of NY Times Bestseller List.

Mr. Prado spent his first ten years at CIA as a paramilitary officer in Special Operations Group/Special Activities Division (SOG/SAD, Ground Branch) which is CIA's "special operations force." His service included 36 months in Central America jungles as the first CIA officer living in the anti-Sandinista "Contra" camps. Subsequently running counter-terrorism/insurgency operations in Peru and in the Philippines. Other key positions included head of the CIA's Korean Operations and Chief of CIA Liaison in Seoul, ROK. He is fluent in his native Spanish and once held a 2+ level in Japanese.

His military training and qualifications include Airborne, SCUBA, Advance Combat Medical Rescue, S.E.R.E., Mountain Climbing, and Jungle Survival under the auspices of the US Air Force elite Pararescue Teams (1971-1976). CIA training included: Ops/Case Officer certification training (The Farm), Counterterrorist Operations, Advanced Tradecraft Course, Free-Fall parachuting, Draeger close-circuit (Combat Diver's 1984 and SEALS 2003), Korean Ops, and numerous CT driving and weapons-related courses. Mr. Prado is also a graduate of the elite Henk Iverson's Lone Operator course (2018).

Mr. Prado is now co-owner of Camp X, Special Operations Lone Operator Training Group and continues his service training and supporting the "SPECOPS" Community as Subject Matter Expert (SME ) at the SWCS' ASOT (Advanced Special Operations and Techniques) and ASOT Managers Course, Dragon Warrior, Emerald Warrior, among others.

Special thanks to Brian Hayes for his continued support of the Pararescue Association and his commitment to the PJ/CRO Ring.

Tucson Photos 2021

Past Reunions

THESE THINGS WE DO... THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE...

Keep your eyes on the Pararescue Association Store, the only place that really supports your Organization, we don't have to say we make a donation to... we are the Pararescue Association !!!