HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — A Mansfield native retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service, according to the 24th Special Operations Wing.
U.S. Air Force Col. Spencer Cocanour received his commission in 1995 and served six years as an electrical engineer. Cocanour was always drawn to the exciting tasks such as jumping out of planes and combat diving so, after a long process, he was given the opportunity to be cross-trained in the elite field of Special Tactics, the Special Operations Wing said.
Cocanour led Special Tactics Teams in worldwide operations in both hostile and austere environments. His operations ranged from counterterrorism missions to global humanitarian assistance operations, according to the Special Operations Wing.
During his retirement ceremony, Cocanour went out in style, executing one last military free fall jump.
“He’s leaving this organization better than he found it. He’s served in war and in peace, and no matter what the challenge, no matter how high the mountain, no matter how wide the river—Spence has managed to cross it every single time,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Claude K. Tudor, Jr., Director of Air Force Integrated Resilience under the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.
Concanour donned his beret and positioned his flash above his left eye for the final time at the ceremony held in Florida Friday.
“To the men and women of [Air Force Special Operations Command] and Special Tactics – it has been an absolute honor to work with you,” Cocanour said. “The former Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, said it very simply and it resonated with me – ‘Always leave the wood pile taller than you found it.’ I hope I have lived up to that simple proverb.”
