Randy Watt

Steven 'Randy' Watt

Watt speaking at the FBI National Academy
Service/branch Utah Army National Guard
Rank COL
Unit 19th Special Forces Group
Battles/wars Battle of Ayub Kheyl
Awards Four bronze stars (one with Valor device), a Meritorious Service Medal and a Combat Infantryman Badge[1]

Steven 'Randy' Watt is a colonel in the Utah Army National Guard. As of June 2011, Watt is the commanding officer of the 19th Special Forces Group.[2][3]

As a major, Watt arrived in Afghanistan in December of 2001,[1] and led the Special Forces assault team that attacked the compound in Ayub Kheyl where Omar Khadr was captured on July 27, 2002. The team consisted of Watt, Captain Mike Silver, Sergeant Christopher Speer, Sergeant Layne Morris and Master Sergeant Scotty Hansen.[4] Watt was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.[5]

A native of Ogden, Utah, Watt is a graduate of Weber State University and University of Phoenix.[6] He serves as Assistant Police Chief in the city.[7]

Watt was stationed in Afghanistan until December 2002.[1][8]

In 2004, he was quoted in the Salt Lake Tribune as stating ""We're arrogant. We think everyone knows what democracy is and wants it... but you can't change something in six months that took 6,000 years to create. If we don't help the transitional government get the warlords out of power and give democracy time to sprout, the country will revert back to anarchy."[9]

He was also profiled in the ABC special, "Profiles from the Front Line" in 2003, as well as the July/August 2004 edition of Men's Health magazine.[6][10]

In December 2005, he was in Brazil for a three-day National Tactical Officers Association training course for Brazilian special forces, in preparation for the 2007 Pan American Games.[11]

Watt was deployed to Iraq, training Sadr City police,[6] from July 2006 until June 2007, and helped his interpreter Falah Al-Baldawi move his family to the United States.[1][7]

In February 2008, Lt. Col. Watt was interviewed after testifying at the trial of Anthony Calderone a soldier who falsified his military awards. Watt said that nothing could "recover the lost honor for the U.S. Army" following Calderone's actions.[1][2]

Watt was awarded his fourth Bronze Star while serving with Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command in Iraq; Watt had nominated himself for the award. The head of the command, Brig. Gen. Darsie D. Rogers, presented the award to Watt at Camp Liberty in Baghdad on April 2, 2011.[12]

Without the "V" device for valor, the award is commonly given as an end of tour award to staff officers.

Colonel Watt was on a very short list of candidates for promotion to Brigadier General and command of the Army component of the Utah National Guard. He never made the rank.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Tan, Michelle (November 27, 2007). "Reserve major faces jail over phony medals". Armytimes.com.
  2. 1 2 Bruce, Becky and Sandra Yi (February 2008). "Man sentenced for falsifying military honors". Ksl.com.
  3. ↑ Steve Fidel. "Command change Saturday for Utah National Guard's 19th Special Forces Group". Deseret News.
  4. ↑ Shephard, Michelle (April 29, 2007). "Khadr goes on trial". Thestar.com.
  5. ↑ Leavitt, Mike. "Utah State of the State Address, January 21, 2003
  6. 1 2 3 2007 Fall Conference Training
  7. 1 2 Gurrister, Tim (October 21, 2007). "Iraqi interpreter's different worlds". Standard.net.
  8. ↑ Lakshmanan, Indira and John Donnelly (September 9, 2002). "The hunt for Al Qaeda". Boston.com.
  9. ↑ House, Dawn. Salt Lake Tribune, "Some troops doubt Afghanistan effort is adequate", March 20, 2004
  10. ↑ Course Description
  11. ↑ M16 Viper and NOTA in Brazil
  12. ↑ Amy Joi O'Donoghue (April 8, 2011). "Utah guardsman colonel receives Bronze Star". Ksl.com.
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