Alan Mack

Author

Chief Warrant Officer Five Alan Mack, an Orange County resident, currently serves as the Deputy Commissioner for the Orange County Division of Emergency Management.

A native of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Mack served 35 years in the US Army before retiring in 2016. His military career included 17 years in Army Special Operations. His awards include the Legion of Merit, 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 3 Bronze Stars, 10 Air Medals (one with Valor Device), and a Combat Action Badge. He logged more than 6700 flying hours during his tenure.

During Operations Desert Shield and Storm, Mack participated as a CH-47D “Chinook” pilot. He flew MH-47s while assigned to the 160th SOAR, the Army’s only Special Operations Aviation Regiment. His crew was one of the first into Afghanistan and the first into Mazar-i-Sharif as part of America’s Response to the attacks on 9/11. His cargo, a 5th Special Forces “A-Team” (ODA 595), aka ‘the Horse Soldiers,’ helped topple the Taliban, capture the country’s capital, and reclaimed possession of the US Embassy.

As a Special Operations Flight Leader participating in special operations worldwide in support of the Global War on Terror, Mack collaborated with Army Rangers, Delta Force, Special Forces, Navy SEALS, assorted Special Operations Units, and Other Government agencies.

Prior to retirement, Mack served as Commander of the West Point Military Academy Aviation Detachment.

Mack resides in the Hudson Valley with his wife, Patti.