Navy SEAL to speak at Heritage of Freedom

  • Published
  • By Sarah Olaciregui
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Cmdr. Travis Schweizer, a Navy SEAL currently assigned to the Naval War College in Newport, R.I., will be the featured speaker during the next Heritage of Freedom April 27 at 3 p.m. at the Hanscom Conference Center.

Schweizer will talk about his experiences in special operations, including his tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Heritage of Freedom Speaker Series is a free event that features speakers who discuss their experiences serving in combat or while deployed. Their presentations are followed by short question and answer periods.

Schweizer was commissioned in 1990 and began his career by conducting tours with SEAL Teams ONE, THREE and FIVE, SEAL Delivery Team ONE (mini submarine team) and Special Operations Command Pacific.

In 2004, while at SEAL Team FIVE, he led SEALs in combat operations during a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In the fall of 2005, he transferred to the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C., to continue his studies in special operations tactics, techniques and procedures. He worked directly for Army Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal and conducted several tours to Iraq, serving at various locations and assignments.

He was the commanding officer of SEAL Team FOUR from 2007 to 2009. In 2008, he became a squadron commander in Iraq as he deployed his team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and several other theaters.

In June 2009, he was assigned as the Naval Special Warfare Group TWO (NSWG-2) chief of staff where he assisted with the command's continuity and combat readiness. NSWG-2 is the parent command of the East Coast SEAL Teams, so Schweizer had his hand in supporting multiple SEAL Team deployments to Iraq, Africa and Afghanistan.

In April 2010, he conducted a year-long deployment to Afghanistan where he served as a member of Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command - Afghanistan.

Schweizer will pin on the rank of captain in August and will take major command. He is slated to become the Commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group THREE. This is the command that specializes in SEAL undersea missions.

His personal awards include the Bronze Star (5, one with combat "V"), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2), and numerous unit and campaign medals and ribbons.

The entire Hanscom community is welcome at this informal event. Free refreshments and beverages will be provided. For further information about Heritage of Freedom, contact Bobby Jacques at 781-225-1333.