Chief Warrant Officer Five (Ret) Jack Dotterer served 31 years in the United States Army. He graduated flight school in 1969 and was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, where he flew over 1,000 hours supporting combat operations. Upon returning to the United States, he was assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, as a Systems Test Pilot where he conducted flight tests on emerging aviation technologies. In 1973, Jack redeployed to the Republic of Vietnam supporting two international organizations involved in the Paris Cease-Fire Accords. After his departure from Vietnam, Jack served tours in Germany; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and Camp Casey, Korea, as a pilot-in-command and aviation maintenance officer.

In 1984, CW5 (Ret) Dotterer was assigned to Charlie Company (Ghostriders), becoming a plank holder in Task Force 160. Jack served 6 years with the Ghostriders as an aviation maintenance officer, aviation maintenance platoon leader, and maintenance test pilot. In 1990, he was selected to serve in the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne)’s “skunk works,” the Systems Integration and Management Office (SIMO). During his 9 years in SIMO, Jack served in the project office for the MH-60L/MH-60L DAP and was instrumental in developing, testing, and fielding numerous helicopter technologies for the 160th SOAR(Abn), many of which are still used today. Jack retired from the U.S. Army 31 December 1999 with over 5,000 flight hours and numerous awards and decorations. During his time in service, he participated in numerous operations, including Operations URGENT FURY, EARNEST WILL, and PRIME CHANCE.

Upon his retirement from the U.S. Army, Jack began his second career as a Senior MH-60 Program Integrator with Cruz Associates, Inc., supporting the 160th SOAR(Abn)’s aircraft modernization programs. For 17 years, Jack performed in leadership and technical expertise roles for Cruz, providing Night Stalkers with the finest aviation equipment in the world.