16 SOS airman flies, fights, always wins

From the moment a couple receives the news they will soon welcome a beautiful bouncing baby into the world, they envision their child discovering the cure for cancer, becoming the leader of the free world, or exploring the recesses of some distant galaxy.

Capt. Neuman

As their pride and joy matures, most parents find themselves lowering the bar a hair, but for Craig and Sheryl Neuman, these dreams of grandeur may not have been too far off the mark.

To the surprise of no one, Capt. Craig Neuman, 16th Special Operations Squadron pilot, recently added the 2012 Tuskegee Airmen, Robert W. Williams Military Award to his ever-increasing mountain of accomplishments and accolades.

Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Neuman was every parent's dream. He was an Eagle Scout, a natural-born athlete and valedictorian of his high school graduating class. Following commencement, Neuman earned an appointment to the prestigious Air Force Academy and quickly immersed himself in his studies and extracurricular endeavors.

Four years later, Neuman graduated from the academy with a degree in aeronautical engineering and traveled to Cambridge, Mass., where he would elevate his education to the Ivy League.

"As a graduate student I studied international security policy and political economy at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government," Neuman said. "While at school, I worked with the Manhattan Institute to develop an accountability and management system for the Los Angeles Police Department Counterterrorism Bureau. I also acted as the associate director for Mountains for Miracles, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing capital for groundbreaking pediatric oncology research."

For the final leg of his educational marathon, the captain continued on to pilot training. Falling into a familiar pattern, Neuman graduated at the top of his class and earned the right to select the aircraft of his choice. Without hesitation, he opted to pilot the AC-130H Spectre gunship.

"I've known Craig for three or four years now," said Capt. Micah Jones, 551st Special Operations Squadron evaluator pilot. "I've had the pleasure of being his instructor over the past couple years and in addition to watching him grow up with the gunship, I've flown with him both at Cannon and in combat."

As a gunship pilot Neuman has supported counterterrorism and counterinsurgency missions in the skies over Afghanistan and he and his crewmen have received Air Force Special Operations Command's nomination for the Mackay Trophy in 2010 and 2011.

"Craig is a good guy to have on your team," Jones said. "He had a paper examining the future of the US-Indian defense and security relationship published in Strategic Studies Quarterly and I had him sign my copy. I figure when he's president I can have it appraised and get my money's worth out of knowing him. He is the guy who comes to mind when I think of a professional in the military."

Despite his impeccable education, Neuman walks the halls of the 16th SOS with his feet planted firmly on the ground and looks down his nose at no one. His comrades, though well aware of his accomplishments, view him as an airman, leader and friend.

"Most people who go to a school like Harvard go on to become lawyers or businessmen and live in a big city," Jones said. "To us he is Craig Neuman, gunship pilot; not Craig Neuman, Harvard graduate. To have someone who's accomplished what he has standing on the line beside you is a pretty amazing thing."

Perhaps more calling than career, Neuman's explanation for his chosen path is simple and delivered without hesitation.

"Both of my parents inculcated in me an appreciation for public service and I was close with two of my great uncles who served in World War II," he said.