| Sources |
- [S104] Cocke County, Tennessee, and its People, Cocke County Heritage Book Committee, (Walsworth Publishing, 1992), 172, 363.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 6 Jun 2006.
Speaking of military people, while doing a correction on a story we did on Air Force Academy appointees, I also talked with Ellen Moore to be sure of my facts on her son, Lt. Col. Charles Moore. She also noted that John Seehorn was another Cocke Countian who had gotten a military academy appointment. I learned that Lt. Col. Moore has been selected to be promoted to colonel and that he will represent the Air Force at Harvard this summer attending the Weatherhead International School for Strategic Studies.
Moore graduated from the AF academy in Colorado Springs on May 30 about 17 years ago.
Just Plain Talk
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 29 Jun 2007.
County has two colonels in same family Father, son distinguished in Air Force careers
PHOTO SUBMITTED Col. Charles Moore, of Newport, is shown when he was commander of the 555th Fighter Squadron in Aviano, Italy. He is now commanding three squadrons of F-16s in Balad, Irag. He officially became an Air Force colonel in Jan. 2007.
By: DAVID POPIEL
Source: The Newport Plain Talk
06-29-2007
Cocke County is now home to a family that has two military colonels when the son earned his eagles last year after a successful overseas command. Colonel Charles Moore was pinned with eagles last July but officially assumed the pay of Air Force colonel in January. His father, former Cocke County Executive Charles Lewis Moore, retired from a combat career with rank of colonel. He served as a highly-decorated combat helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War. Both father and son were on "fast track" for advancement during their careers and made colonel after about 18 years. "I was thrilled and surprised," said young Col. Moore, 40, who had recently spent a couple of days at the home of his parents, Charles Lewis and Ellen Moore, of Wilton Springs, before his next assignment. Col. Moore assumes command of the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group at Balad Air Force Base, Iraq. He will command three squadrons of F-16 warplanes. When interviewed by the Plain Talk, last week, Col. Moore had left Newport and was at his office in Washington DC. Before that he completed a year's study at Harvard at the Weatherford Center of International Studies. The international studies are part of the Air Force's program to train leaders for future missions and help them meet other international leaders, said Col. Moore. After finishing the studies successfully in May, he went to Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix, Arizona, to requalify on the F-16, which is the Air Force's primary attack fighter/bomber. Although he has hundreds of hours piloting warplanes, he was required to take the refresher training and instrument qualification. He then went to Shaw AFB in Washington with his wife, Niki. Col. Moore was to leave in late June for Balad, which is about 50 miles north of Baghdad along the Tigris River. He is not new to Iraq, because he commanded the 555 (Triple Nickel) Fighter Squadron in Aviano, Italy. The squadron was deployed to Balad for about four months during 2005 and 2006. As commander of the 332nd, Col. Moore will oversee all flying operations. "This will be, by far, my greatest responsibility to date," he said. Not only are there three squadrons of F-16s but also a transportation squadron composed of C-130s, unmanned predator aircraft, and rescue helicopters. There are about 1,000 soldiers at the base. Col. Moore said that Balad's staffing and aircraft represent a large contingent for wartime expeditionary operations. Normally, such a command is for two years, but because it is considered a remote command, Col. Moore will serve there for about one year. He said the mission is "intense" with aircraft flying 24 hours a day, seven days a week. He expects to be flying at least three times per week. "It's not 8-to-5. There is always activity, but it makes it more enjoyable," he said, referring to his love of flying. When Col. Charles Lewis Moore was asked what he thought about his son eventually out-ranking him, he responded, "I guess I'll just have to salute him."
County has two colonels in same family Father, son distinguished in Air Force careers
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 28 Dec 2008.
Newport man earns highest USAF trophy
Author: David Popiel
The recipient's list of the Air Force Mackay Trophy reads like a "Who's Who" in aviation history, and now the silver trophy's shield carries the name of a Cocke County combat veteran.
At Washington, DC on November 3, Colonel Charles Moore and three other members of an F-16 strike force to Afghanistan in August 2007 earned the trophy for "the most meritorious flight of the year."
Col. Moore visited his parents, Charles Lewis and Ellen Moore, before Christmas and talked about the combat mission and his new assignment that gives him continued responsibility towards the nation's defense.
In summer 2007, Col. Moore had just begun his command of the 322nd Expeditionary Operation Group at Balad's Misawa Air Force Base, just north of Baghdad, Iraq. The 20-year veteran was overseeing three F-16 squadrons, HH60 helicopters, C-130 transports, Predator unmanned aircraft, air control squadron, and operation support squadron.
The base contained about 25,000 military, and the US was in the midst of its "surge" strategy in Iraq, said Col. Moore. At the same time, Washington was concerned about Taliban and other terrorists concentrating in the mountains between Afghanistan and Pakistan in the Tora Bora region.
On August 10, a three-star general briefed Col. Moore and the other mission members, Lt. Col. Stephen Williams, Capt. Lawrence Sullivan, and Capt. Kristopher Struve. Not only are the men accomplished and decorated F-16 pilots, but they also had something else important in common.
Col. Moore explained that he and his comrades all are weapons experts and had attended the Air Force's advanced schools for weaponry. In addition, Col. Moore was a weapons instructor in Korea several years ago.
There were a couple of things exceptional about this Aug. 12-13 mission, said Moore. First, it was the first time an F-16 combat group flew non-stop more than 11 hours. The 4,200-mile roundtrip required 13 in-air refuelings, all at night.
Col. Moore credited an amazing amount of time and work from hundreds of people such as the ground crews who had to outfit the squadron, the refueling pilots and crews, air controls, communications, and other aircraft-there were about 60 in total from various air bases. The aircraft converged on the Taliban gathering, successfully dropping tons of bombs.
"We took off with six F-16s, two were standby pilots in case something happened," he said. The two standbys left the Panther 11 (one-one) squadron, supporting the Operation Enduring Freedom mission.
Technically the advanced warplanes were F-16CJs, carrying a total of 16 GBU-38 500-pound laser-guided bombs. The attack was almost flawless and precision extraordinary, as Col. Moore said, they had flown more than 2,000 miles and attacked their target within a two-minute predetermined time.
Col. Moore said that after hours into the mission, close to attack time, he and fellow pilots learned that a refueling tanker had been diverted. They were looking at being forced to land in Afghanistan after dropping their bombs. At the last hour, another tanker was located and flew to meet them to allow the pilots to return to Iraq.
More than a year after the mission, Col. Moore was notified that he and his fellow combat pilots were to receive the Clarence Mackay Trophy. It was first presented by Mackay in 1912 and is on display at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC. Both the USAF and National Aeronautic Association administer the trophy.
Col. Moore's name will now be placed alongside some of the greatest names in aviation history: Jimmy Doolittle, Gen. Chuck Yeager, Henry "Hap" Arnold, and Eddie Rickenbacker.
"It was an extremely humbling experience," said Col. Moore of the prestigious presentation by Chief of Staff Gen. Norman Schwartz. It was easily the highlight of his 20-year career, said Col. Moore, who is 42.
Charles Lewis and Ellen Moore said, "We are very proud of Charles and his crew for being honored with the Mackay Trophy, and we strongly support all our military and their families."
He left during the holidays for his current duty post at Colorado Springs where he is vice director of the NORAD operation there. NORAD (North American Aerospace Defense Command) is a US-Canada advanced warning system that protects the continent from ballistic missile, space vehicle, and aircraft/bomber attack.
Col. Moore said he would remain at Peterson AF Base for an undetermined time and more normal hours to spend with his wife, Nicole Moore. They have been married for about four years.
Col. Moore and his father, former Cocke County executive, both have distinguished themselves in military combat and rank. Charles Lewis Moore is a highly-decorated Vietnam era combat pilot who during his career achieved the rank of colonel.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 12 Jan 2010.
Col. Charles Moore earns Webb's Distinguished Alumnus Award
Col. Charles Moore, center, visited Webb School in Knoxville last year to receive the Webb's Distinguished Alumnus/na Award for 2008. With him are his Newport parents, Ellen Moore and Col. Charles Lewis Moore, retired.
(Editor's note: Col. Charles Moore, of Newport, is a Knoxville Webb School graduate, 1984. He was featured in the 2009 Webb Alumni Bulleting, which story is reprinted here by permission. Col. Moore is the son of retired Col. Charles Lewis Moore and Ellen Moore, of Wilton Springs.)
Webb School of Knoxville Class of 1984 graduate, Colonel Charles L. Moore Jr., United States Air Force (USAF), is the recipient of Webb's Distinguished Alumnus/na Award for 2008.
Webb's Distinguished Alumnus/na Award is presented annually to an alumnus/alumna whose business or professional accomplishments and service to others exemplify the goals of Webb School of Knoxville in the spirit of its motto, "principes non homines" - leaders not men.
Col. Moore is the Vice Director of Operations, Headquarters North American Aerospace Defense Command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado. He is responsible to the Director of Operations for safeguarding the air sovereignty of North America, including Canada, Alaska and the continental United States.
He served as the commander of the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group at Balad Air Base in Iraq and was responsible for all flying operations in Iraq as well as airfield management, air traffic control, intelligence, weather and aeromedical evacuation.
While commanding his airmen during the height of the troop surge in Iraq, Moore led several combat flights that resulted in the destruction of numerous enemy targets. In 2007, Moore and three other F-16 pilots were selected to fly an 11-hour mission to and from Balad Air Base to strike 16 high-value targets in the Tora Bora region of Afghanistan, and despite technical problems, they were able to reach the designated airspace and successfully destroyed 15 entrenched enemy fighting positions. Moore and the other pilots were selected by the Chief of Staff of the United States to receive the Clarence Mackay Trophy for the "most meritorious flight of the year."
Col. Moore was commissioned in 1989 after graduating from the United States Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering. He graduated with distinction from both the Undergraduate Pilot Training at Sheppard Air Force Base, TX, and F-16 Replacement Training Unit at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Moore was invited to attend the prestigious USAF Weapons School and earned the Distinguished and Outstanding Graduate awards. He went on to attend Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and served as Assistant Director of Operations of the F-16 Division at the USAF Weapons School where he was named Company Grade Officer of the Year for Nellis Air Force Base.
At one point in his career, Col. Moore served at the Pentagon as the Program Element Manager for the Joint Strike Fighter/F-35 program on the Air Staff. He also commanded the 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy, and led his squadron on a combat deployment during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. He went on to serve as a National Defense Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University.
In addition to the Mackay Trophy, Col. Moore has received the Bronze Star; four Meritorious Service Medals, presented to members of the military who have distinguished themselves by outstanding non-combat meritorious achievement; the Air Force Commendation Medal for valorous actions while in direct contact with an enemy force; four Air Medals; and two Aerial Achievement Medals.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 18 Jun 2010.
Newport native commands Shaw Air Base
At a ceremony at Shaw Air Force Base in early June. Colonel Charles Moore, at right, became the new commander of the base. At left is Major General William Holland of the 9th Air Force, and out-going base commander Joseph Guastella Jr.
Author: David Popiel
Cocke County native Colonel Charles L. Moore Jr. assumed command of Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina after completing recent duty with the Strategic Air Command in Colorado for the North American Aerospace Defense Command.
During an early June ceremony attended by his parents, former Cocke County Executive Charles Lewis Moore, and his mother, Ellen Moore, Col. Moore accepted the command from outgoing Col. Joseph Guastella Jr. He had graduated in 1987, two years earlier than Col. Moore, from the Air Force Academy. And, both men were weapons instructors together years ago at Nellis AFB, Neveda.
Most recently, Col. Moore served as vice director of operations for NORAD, an early-warning defense system at Peterson AFB, Colorado. He has served with distinction and awards since earning his wings in 1989.
Shaw Field is one of the largest military flying fields in the US, having been activated in 1941. It is home to the 20th Fighter Wing, created in 1947 making it older than the Air Force itself.
Commander Moore, a combat veteran, said he is proud to be a leader over a fighter wing that has such an illustrious history going back to World War II, including air support in Korea, the Gulf War, and in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Col. Moore served at Shaw AFB 18 years ago as a lieutenant, and he said it was this training that helped him learn leadership and integrity. Now Moore commands the 20th Fighter Wing.
Major General William Holland, of the 9th Air Force, presented the Fighter Wing's flag to Moore after accepting it from Guastella, signifying the change of command.
Col. Moore spoke to the assembly saying he was "honored and humbled" by the promotion and had witnessed several command changes but never thought he would be so privileged.
"We are extremely proud of Charles and all his accomplishments, especially being selected to command the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina," said Charles Lewis and Ellen Moore.
Fellow pilots call Col. Moore "Tuna", who is a veteran and respected leader. He will oversee operations at the base, which has more than $2 billion in aircraft and 7,000 men and women serving.
He was quoted on WIS TV 10 as saying, "In the job of defense and service to our country if you're not looking for ways to improve, you're falling behind and you can never accept second best when you're talking about defending America."
During his two decades of military service, Col. Moore has earned many awards and decorations including the Bronze Star, Defense Superior Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with bronze star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with bronze star, Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Korean Defense Service Medal.
His assignments have included F-16 pilot, assistant weapons officer for the 314th Fighter Squadron, Luke AFB; F-16 Flight Lead, 78th Fighter Squadron, Shaw AFB; F-16 Instructor Pilot, 20th Operations Group, Shaw AFB; F-16 Weapons Instructor, Nellis AFB; Operations Officer, 555th Fighter Squadron, Aviano AB, Italy; Air Force National Defense Fellow, Harvard University; 2007-08, Commander, 332nd Expeditionary Operations Group, Balad AB, Iraq.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 3 Feb 2011.
NEWPORT-Col. Charles Lewis Moore (Ret.) will be keynote speaker at this year's Valentines for Veterans, a celebration set for Saturday, Feb. 12, at the Newport/Cocke County Community Center.
The breakfast celebration will begin at 9 a.m. and is free.
Sponsored by the Cocke County Democratic Party, the annual get-together honors all veterans, including those on active duty, reserves, and National Guard members.
For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 24 Feb 2012.
Soon-to-be General Col. Moore will wear star at Nellis AFB
(c)2012 NPT PHOTO BY DAVID POPIEL
Col. Charles Moore is in the cockpit of his F-16 Fighting Falcon in its hanger at Shaw
Air Force Base, Sumter, South Carolina. By late March, Col. Moore, who is from
Cocke County, will wear the brigadier general's star. The inset photo is by US Air
Force Senior Airman Kenny Holston.
Author: David Popiel
Spring will bring a brigadier general to the ranks of those making outstanding achievements as Cocke County natives in their careers-civilian or military.
The US Senate has recently approved Col. Charlie Moore, commander of the 20th Fighter wing at Shaw Air Force Base, to become Tennessee's newest brigadier general. He is expected to wear the general's star sometime in late March.
Col. Moore assumed command of the 20th Fighter Wing-the largest operational F-16 Fighting Falcon wing in the world-on June 2010. And, at age 46 he continues to fly at least twice a week to maintain his edge as a member of the 77th Fighter Squadron.
As a one-star general, probably the first ever from Cocke County to wear this US Air Force rank, he takes on more responsibility. Moore is preparing for his eminent transfer to Nellis AFB near Las Vegas about March 22.
His wife, Niki, and son, Christopher Walker Moore, age 17 months, will accompany him and said they are sad to leave Shaw, at Sumter, South Carolina. Col. Moore said they have "bitter sweet emotions" about the move because they will leave many friends, their extended airmen family, but return to a familiar air base.
During his 21-month command, Moore said he has been proud to work alongside about 8,500 people at the base of which about 3,800 are active Air Force and some 1,200 Army soldiers. The Third Army/USARCENT-made famous by Gen. George Patton during World War II-is located at Shaw.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 10 Apr 2012.
Brig. Gen. Moore assumes command of Nellis AFB 57th Wing
©2012 US AF Photo by Airman 1st Class Matthew Lancaster
US Air Force Major General James Hyatt, at left, commander of the AF Warfare Center, officiates at the change of command for the 57th Wing on March 26 at Nellis Air Force Base. The new brigadier general is Charles L. Moore Jr., formerly of Newport.
Editor's note: Most of the information for this story was provided by the USAF media staff at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
Brigadier General Charles Moore Jr. assumed command of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force base in late March during a change of command ceremony.
The 46-year-old former Cocke Countian joined the ranks of Air Force generals earlier this year and moved from his command of the 20th F-16 Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base earlier that month. He was promoted from the rank of colonel.
At the largest composite wing AF base in the world, Brig. Gen, Terrence J. O'Shaughnessy, relinquished command at the Nevada base on March 26. And among those attending the ceremony were Moore's parents, former Cocke County Executive Charles Lewis Moore and his wife, Ellen Moore, of Newport.
The commander of the 57th Wing is responsible for 38 squadrons at 12 installations, which comprise the Air Force's most diverse flying wing. The wing flies and maintains more than 130 aircraft of the following types: A-10, F-15C/D, F-15E, F-16C/CG/CJ, F-22A and HH-60G.
The wing also utilizes E-3, RC-135, E-8, B-1, B-2, B-52, AC-130U and MC-130P aircraft at 12 stateside bases to support the US Air Force Weapons School syllabus. The commander is also in charge of four groups: the 57th Adversary Tactics Group, 57th Operations Group, 57th Maintenance Group and US Air Force Weapons School. In addition, he oversees the 561st Joint Tactics Squadron, US Air Force Advanced Maintenance and Munitions Officer School, US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, and Red Flag and Green Flag exercises.
Moore comes to the 57th Wing following service as commander of the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. The 20th Fighter Wing's mission is to provide, project and sustain combat-ready air forces.
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 27 Feb 2014.
Brig. General Moore takes Iraq assignment
(Editor’s note: This article by Airman 1st Class Timothy Young, 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office, appeared in the military publication Bullseye of Nellis Air Force Base. It is about Newport native Charles Moore Jr., who has been assigned to the US Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq in March. Brig. Gen. Moore is the son of former Cocke County Executive Charles Lewis Moore and Ellen Moore, of Newport.)
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — Brig. Gen. Charles Moore Jr., 57th Wing commander, will be handing over command of the 57th WG to Col. Christopher Short, former 366th Fighter WG commander, from Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, during a change of command ceremony Feb 28 starting at 9:57 a.m. outside the Thunderbird Hanger.
Moore took command of the 57th WG nearly two years ago. During Moore’s stay at Nellis AFB he has managed to maintain training to sustain a ready force while helping steer the base through financial constraints.
“He has created an environment in the 57th WG where ideas and innovations are heard and the people closest to the issues have a voice to make things better,” said Tech Sgt. Anthony Grisafe, 57th WG command chief assistant. “He’s a leader of hearts and minds. Anybody with legitimate power can command hands, but Brig. Gen. Moore makes you want to do your best for him.
Although he is looking forward to his next role in the Air Force, Moore said his time as a commander has been some of his best in the Air Force.
Nothing can compare to command,” Moore said. “I have fortunately had one other wing command at Shaw AFB, and any command opportunity is a huge privilege and an honor.”
His time at Nellis AFB reinforced what he already knew about the Air force.
“It’s not about the billions of dollars in assets we have sitting on the ramp. It’s not about the incredible training airspace and environment that we have here or the institutions we have at the base,” Moore said. “It’s about our Airmen that make this incredible mission here happen.
“That’s why everybody wants to come here and train with the [Airmen] that we have here.”
Moore said one example of this, and what surprised him the most while at Nellis AFB, was when all the budgetary issues and sequestration caused Nellis AFB to battle for some of the things that he always assumed would be safe, such as the U.S. Air Force Weapons School classes, Red Flag, Green Flag, the 57th Adversary Tactics Group and U.S. Air Force Demonstration Squadron.
“What I’m really proud of is that we shut down many operations here completely that have never been shut down before. We were able to restart all those processes again and do it without anyone getting hurt, killed or the loss of any assets all while maintaining our high level of expectations in terms of the training that we provide,” he said. “Now to have our weapon school going back at full speed, a three week Red Flag with our [close] allies going at full speed, Green Flags going at full speed, the Thunderbirds are about to hit the road to start their great season and all the other organizations in the wing running at full capacity like they never missed a beat is something that I’m really proud of.”
The overall professionalism and hard work of Nellis AFB Airmen is something he will truly miss when he leaves.
“I think the thing that sets Nellis and the 57th WG apart is just the level of performance and the level of commitment to excellence that [Airmen] have here that is recognized not only in our Air Force but in our joint force partners and all of our coalition friends,” Moore said. “They exceeded [my expectations] which is very hard to do because I had very high expectations of Nellis.
“That’s what I think happens when you take the best of the best and put them together in the same organization with a clear goal in mind.
Although Moore is not looking forward to giving away command of the wing he grew to love, he said he
does so knowing he will be handing over command to what he knows are truly capable hands.
“Col. Short and I were at the Air Force Academy together so we have known each other for a very long time,” Moore said. “He is a strong and incredibly capable leader. I think he understands exactly what I do, which is give the incredible Airmen we have here the resources they need and get the heck out of the way and watch what they do.”
As Moore prepares to leave he can’t help but hope he leaves at least half the impression on the Airmen at Nellis AFB as they did on him and his family.
“This has truly been an honor and privilege in my career. My wife and I love everything about the 57th WG, the people, the mission and this will definitely be the highlight of our career,” Moore said. “It’s a real honor being able to work with people that are so dedicated and willing to make such sacrifices for their country every day.”
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