MOODY AIR FORCE BASE — The 38th Rescue Squadron at Moody Air Force Base bid farewell to its senior noncommissioned officer during a retirement ceremony at the Moody Field House on Friday.

Chief Master Sgt. Robert Holler distinguished himself as a pararescueman (PJ) and has been credited with saving more than 500 lives during his 30 years of service. Guests from as far away as the Philippines, Alaska and both the West and East Coasts of the United States were there to pay tribute to Holler.

Speaking on behalf of the 38th RQS was its commander, Lt. Col. Vinnie Savino, who had a little fun with Holler as he did a review of 1974. “All in the Family” was the favorite sitcom on television, Patty Hearst was kidnapped, and Muhammed Ali knocked out George Foreman to win the Heavy Weight title — and the Air Force got Holler.

Savino said that there is a new relationship in the pararescue field between the enlisted men and the new combat rescue officer field, and it culminates between the commander and the chief. As the 38th RQS commander, he relied on Holler’s 30 years of experience.

“Holler is one of those guys who epitomizes the chief — he’s rough, he’s coarse, and he’ll chew you out, but at the same time he’s got a heart of gold,” Savino said. “It’s been my honor to have worked with him the past two years.”

Savino emphasized that during Holler’s Air Force career, which has been in pararescue, Holler has been involved with the tactical, the operational and strategic level and the decision-making policy all the way up the chain of command. Savino described the more than 500 lives that Holler has been credited with saving as truly phenomenal. Whether these rescues were on Asian shores, the deserts or the mountains of the United States, Holler has been there and made his mark, Savino said.

Holler has also been responsible for developing new systems that are now being used by pararescue personnel today. Those include the development and testing of the Rigging Alternate Method Zodiac that revolutionized open water rescue and recovery from space restricted aircraft such as the HC-130, and the Special Purpose Underwater Deployment System that reduced the need for bulky underwater breathing apparatus that are used during para-scuba operations.

“He has done something everywhere around the world,” Savino said. “He has briefed the Air Force Special Operations Command commander, the Special Operations Command commandeer, the vice president and the president of the United States.”

Following his commander, Holler read part of a letter that he had written to his mother about 27 years ago when he was nearing the end of his first enlistment. In it, he wrote that being in the service had changed his views on a lot of things. He had lost some faith in the country and at the same time he had learned to appreciate the United States a lot more.

“‘Anyway, I only have 13 and half months left in the service, and I’m anticipating getting out,'” Holler read. “‘Not that I’m sorry or regret joining — it’s just that I don’t belong in the military.'”

This brought extended laughter from those who came to honor him.

Looking back on his 30 years in the Air Force, he can’t believe it’s gone by as fast as it has. “It’s overwhelming to sit and look out there and see all these people,” he said. “Your presence here today to share a sweet moment with me means more than you know. How can you summarize 30 years of anything in a few short moments. I’ve had a long time to think about this and I can tell you the answer to that question is — you can’t.”

Holler reflected on the early days when the full spectrum of rescue in the Air Force was almost lost because those in charge didn’t know or do rescue. During those dark days there were still quite a few dedicated people who were hard at work building the foundation of today’s rescue forces. The proof of how important the Combat Search and Rescue has come is evident that rescues over Iraq were delayed until rescue forces were prepostured as close to the fighting as possible and a 100 percent mission ready, Holler said.

In closing, Holler recognized all the units assigned to the 347th Rescue Wing at Moody AFB. “Rescue has truly arrived.” He then looked at his fellow PJs and said his contribution from this point on was small. It was now up to them to get involved.



To contact reporter Rip Prine, please call 244-3400, ext. 237.