Special Forces Association

Rocky Mountain Chapter 4-24

(Charles “Snake” Hosking and Alexander “Al” Fontes)

History

The Rocky Mountain Chapter 4-24 (Charles “Snake” Hosking Jr. and Alexander “Al” Fontes) history is deeply intertwined with those who have served in Special Forces, along with the regions in which they lived, trained, fought, and sometimes died. Our Chapter is dedicated in memory of two extraordinary Green Berets and a result of early start-ups, resolve moves and mergers.

Chapter 4, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, 1974: In 1968, the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), minus 1st Battalion, relocated from Bad Tolz, Germany to Fort Devens, Massachusetts. With a growing population of Special Forces Decade Association members in the Fort Devens area, it was decided that a Chapter was feasible, sustainable, and needed. Under the first Chapter President James Gayler, Chapter 4 (Charles “Snake” Hosking Jr.) was established in 1974. It became the official Chapter of the 10th Special Force Group (Airborne), but open to any Decade member and held meetings on Fort Devens. The Chapter was dedicated to Master Sergeant Hosking’s for his dedication to service, long history as a member of 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)/5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), and recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. For over 20 years, the Chapter increased in membership and continued to support the Special Forces community.

Chapter 24, Fort Carson, Colorado, 1976:  Even though the number of Special Forces veterans in the Rocky Mountain area was small in the mid-1970s, a need for a Chapter was identified. For those Special Forces Association members in the area, a Chapter represented a place where Green Berets could gather, reminisce about the past, and share a brotherhood. Under the first Chapter Presidents Frank Stewart and Mark Sullivan, and 30 or so members, the Rocky Mountain Chapter 24 was established in September 1976 and held meetings on Fort Carson. For almost 20 years, the Chapter added and lost members, and at times, struggled to stay relevant during the lean years. After almost a decade, 1979 – 1987, of inactivity due to a small number of Special Forces veterans spread over a large state, creativity was needed to meet the needs of its old members and bring in new ones. In 1988, a group of old members decided to make the Chapter relevant again and devised a plan. The plan consisted of rotating Chapter meetings between Colorado Springs, Denver, and Pueblo, hold annual picnics and Christmas parties along with other social functions. As a result, membership rose and new interest gained. In recognition of Al Fontes’ status as the founding member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter 24 and his efforts in keeping the chapter viable during lean years, the chapter voted and was renamed the Alexander “Al” Fontes, Rocky Mountain Chapter 24 in 1996.

10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), 1994 – 1995: In September 1994, the 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) moved from Fort Devens, Massachusetts, to Fort Carson, Colorado, followed by 3rd Battalion in July 1995. The Group Headquarters moved in September 1995 ending a twenty-seven-year presence in Massachusetts. A Group Support Battalion was activated in January 2006 and a fourth-Special Forces Battalion was activated in August 2010.

5th Battalion, 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Army National Guard, 1996: Colorado is also home to 5th Battalion’s Headquarters and Battalion Support Company located in Watkins, Colorado and B Company located at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Chapter 4-24, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 1997: In 1997, several major events happened to both Chapters 4 and 24 to celebrate the arrival of the 10th Special Force Group (Airborne), preserve Chapter histories and maximize the economy of force.

First, in 1995, the Special Forces Association voted to have the 1997 National Convention in Colorado Springs. With Chapter 24 as the lead Chapter, the Convention was held in June 1997 at the Red Lion (currently known as the DoubleTree Hotel). 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) sponsored the Convention Picnic at Butts Army Air Field, Fort Carson, and assisted with the final banquet. At the Convention, several requests were presented, 1) Officially move Chapter 4 from Fort Devens to Fort Carson, 2) Merge Chapter 4 and Chapter 24 with the understanding that if the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) moved again, so would Chapter 4. Both requests were given the green light to proceed.

Second, even though Chapter 4 unofficially moved to Fort Carson with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), members of Chapter 4 voted to officially move the Chapter from Fort Devens to Colorado Springs. Then gained approval for the National Special Forces Association. The members who remained behind at Fort Devens and chose to remain Chapter 4 members, became “At Large” members, or joined other Chapters such as the Boston, Massachusetts Chapter.

Third, due to the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) recently moving from Fort Devens to Fort Carson, still being heavily employed around the world, and two Chapters in the same city, it was decided to merge the Chapters. Chapter 24 members, retired veterans, that were currently running Chapter 24 volunteered to continue running the merged Chapters. This gave the Chapter 4 members, currently active duty with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne), time to get established and then run for official positions. For the merger of Chapters 4 and 24 to take place, both current members of each Chapter had to agree and the National gave its approval. On 20 September 1997, the Rocky Mountain Chapter 4-24 (Charles “Snake” Hosking and Alexander “Al” Fontes) was established, under the first Chapter President Joe Frey.

Not soon after the Rocky Mountain Chapter 4-24 (Charles “Snake” Hosking and Alexander “Al” Fontes) was established, one of Chapter 24’s founding members, Alexander “Al” Fontes passed away.

Special Operations Command North, 2013: In 2013, United States Northern Command established a Theater Special Operations Command known as Special Operations Command North at Peterson AFB, Colorado.

Today, Chapter 4-24 is based out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, but holds several monthly meetings in Denver to meet its mission as the voice of the Special Forces Community; Perpetuates Special Forces Traditions and Brotherhood; Advance the public image of Special Forces and promotes the general welfare of the Special Forces community.

There are over 350 Chapter 4-24 members that support over 4,000 Active Duty/National Guard Green Berets and Associates, their families, and numerous veterans of Special Forces located in Colorado.

The Chapter does this by monetary donations to Special Forces families in need, the Chapter 4-24 “CSM Frank A. Socha” Educational Assistance Grant, support to 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) functions, Memorial Day Remembrance, Colorado Special Forces license plates, Annual Chapter Picnic, and Heritage Ski-In, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps/Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and Veterans outreach, fundraisers and much more.