LTC Clinton Boyd Underwood served in the United States Navy Seal Teams and United States Army Aviation since 17 July 1994; to include, service in the Special Operations Aviation Regiment since 2005. He retire as the 160th SOAR (ABN) Director of Simulations and Training Development programs.
Clint enlisted in the Navy in 1994 and completed Naval Special Warfare Command-BUD/S (Basic Underwater Demolition/Seal School) and was assigend to Seal Team TWO. Special Operator, Third Class Petty Officer (SO3) Underwood led his platoon’s intelligence fusion cell focusing tactical operations on Task Force targeting priorities. SO3 Underwood achieved a Bachelor’s degree at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Clint commissioned in the Army and LT Underwood started flight school in 2002. His first assignment was in 4th Battalion, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell KY.
After deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, Clint was assessed and selected for service in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (ABN).
There he was assigned to the Joint Task Force charged with dismantling global terrorist networks.
CPT Underwood was then selected to command the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) Flight Detachment at Ft. Bragg, NC. He performed rotary-wing and non-standard fixed-wing operations in support of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and USASOC Special Access Programs. There, he led program modifications to training, operations, and airframes IAW Army and Federal Aviation Administration regulatory requirements. CPT Underwood’s purview included restructuring unit personnel and program priorities to meet dynamic testing and training requirements while maintaining Pilot in Command status and operating both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
CPT Underwood returned to the 160th SOAR (ABN) to serve on the Regimental Staff as the Regiment's Fielding Officer for the MH-47G and MH-60M introduction to the force. During two years of program oversight, his team was responsible for establishing all fielding requirements while interfacing with contractor support and external organizations including SOATB, TAPO, SIMO, USASOC, and USSOCOM.
Major Underwood lead planning for joint training events while continuing oversight of MH-60M fielding initiatives within the Regiment. Clint also deployed to Afghanistan to assist in establishing the Combined Joint Special Operations Aviation Command-Afghanistan (CJSOAC-A).
In 2014, MAJ Underwood entered Army Advanced Civilian Schooling and achieved his Master's Degree from the School of Education (w/ Honors). During his Master’s program MAJ Underwood pursued an additional course of self-study in World and US History, and is a licensed educator in Tennessee.
MAJ Underwood was reassigned to a Special Operations Advisory Group and served as the Joint Operations Officer (J3) along side Foriegn Nationals. This strategic Aviation Foreign Internal Defense program integrated US Joint Special Operations Aviation capabilities supporting strategic counter-terrorism and counter-narcotics operations directed by National Ministry of Defense and Interior authorities.
During his final deployment, MAJ Underwood was selected to perform as the Aviation Task Force Commander at a remote base in northern Afghanistan in support of three Special Operations detachment ODAs and OGA intelligence strike force teams.
LTC Underwood's final assignment was as the 160th SOAR (ABN) Simulations and Training Development Officer.
COL James Ross Yastrzemsky (“Yaz”) is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1997 as a National Collegiate Athletic Association Lacrosse Academic/Athletic All-American (team captain) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering.
Yastrzemsky has served in numerous command and leadership positions beginning with 1st Battalion, 3rd Attack Helicopter Aviation Regiment, at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. He initially deployed to Fort Hood, Texas to conduct the Apache Longbow Unit Fielding and Training Program (UFTP). He also deployed with Task Force Viper to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Spring shortly after the attacks of 9/11. In 2003, Yastrzemsky deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) serving as the aviation liaison officer for the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division, the lead division during the invasion and liberation of Iraq.
While assigned at Fort Hood, Yastrzemsky commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, leading his company through a second UFTP and deployment to Iraq in support of OIF 05-07 at the height of the insurgency. Following deployment, Yastrzemsky returned to West Point to serve as the Aviation Branch proponent and trainer in the Department of Military Instruction. In 2010, he returned to Fort Hood as the operations officer of 1st Battalion, 4th Armed Reconnaissance Regiment. As part of the presidential surge forces back into Afghanistan, he deployed with Task Force Dragon to Kandahar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X-XI. While attached to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade as the Task Force operations / executive officer, his unit provided direct support to Special Operations Forces operating throughout southern Afghanistan with distinction.
Following advanced civil schooling, Yastrzemsky commanded 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, leading his battalion through a period of Focused Readiness, hurricane relief support efforts in Florida and Puerto Rico, and in preparation for deployment to Afghanistan. After battalion command, he served as the deputy director of the West Point Leadership Center and as assistant professor of Military Leadership within the Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership.
Yastrzemsky is a graduate of the Initial Entry Rotary Wing Course and Aviation Officer Basic Course (distinguished honor graduate); Aviation Captain’s Career Course (honor graduate); Combined Arms Services and Staff School; the Joint Firepower Controller Course; the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and the U.S. Army War College. He is rated in the AH-64A/D/E (Apache Longbow), OH-58A/C (Kiowa), UH-60M (Blackhawk), and LUH-72A (Lakota) aircraft.
Yastrzemsky holds a PhD in Social Psychology/Military Sociology (University of Maryland), a Masters of Arts degree in Public Administration (John Jay College of Criminal Justice), and a Masters degree in National Security and Strategic Studies.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star (3), the Air Medal (2), the Meritorious Service Medal (3), the Army Commendation Medal (4), the Army Achievement Medal (3), the Army Presidential Unit Citation, the Army Valorous Unit Award, the Army Superior Unit Award, the Combat Action Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge.
37 years of military experience, continuous combat engagements and +10 years of diplomatic relations with NATO and other foreign governments
Our Advisor is a student of his culture, history and military campaigns covering ruthless regime changes and countless battlefield experiences
Our Advisor continues to lead his family of 15 through a safe transition in the United States. His life's story is miraculous and his narrow escape makes the hair on your neck stand on end