Chief Warrant Officer 4 Timothy “T-Bone” Vincent, U.S. Army
Timothy Vincent was born in 1958 in Louisville, Kentucky, and moved to Edmonson County in 1973. He attended Edmonson County High School, graduating in 1977. While playing football, he earned the nickname “T-Bone,” a name that would follow him throughout his life and military career.
Army Ranger Training
From an early age, Vincent set his sights on becoming a U.S. Army Ranger, one of the Army’s most demanding and elite combat formations. He enlisted in the Army in 1980 and immediately reported to Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia. He successfully completed the Ranger Indoctrination Program and Ranger School, distinguishing himself in one of the most physically and mentally rigorous training pipelines in the U.S. military. During this period, he accumulated 235 parachute jumps and was promoted to Jumpmaster in 1984. In 1986, he returned to Fort Benning as a Mountain Phase Instructor at Ranger School, training the next generation of Rangers in small-unit tactics and leadership under extreme conditions.
Transition to Army Aviation
Seeking new challenges, Vincent applied for and was accepted into U.S. Army Aviation. He completed Warrant Officer Candidate School in January 1989 and graduated from Flight School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, in October of that year. He began flying the UH-1 Iroquois, the iconic “Huey,” before transitioning to the OH-58 Kiowa. He was soon selected to fly the AH-64 Apache, the Army’s premier attack helicopter, and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. As a Ranger-qualified aviator, he was among a very small number of soldiers to bridge both elite ground and aviation combat communities.
Shortly after achieving Readiness Level One status, Vincent deployed in support of Operation Desert Shield. On August 17, 1990, his unit’s Apaches arrived in theater and were combat-ready within three days, repositioning to what would become King Fahd International Airport in Saudi Arabia.
Opening Strike of Desert Storm
In the early hours of January 17, 1991, Operation Desert Storm commenced. In the “Party in 10” mission that has since become a defining moment in modern air warfare, two four-ship flights of AH-64 Apaches, led by MH-53 PAVE Low helicopters, crossed into Iraqi airspace under conditions of complete radio silence and blackout. Flying more than 200 miles at low altitude, the aircraft approached their targets—two critical Iraqi early warning radar sites guarding the border.
At 2:38 a.m., following the coded transmission “Party in 10,” Vincent and his fellow aviators initiated the opening strike of the war. In a precisely coordinated attack lasting only minutes, they destroyed both radar installations using Hellfire missiles, rockets, and 30mm cannon fire. This action created a 20-mile-wide corridor, enabling more than 900 coalition aircraft to enter Iraqi airspace undetected and begin the broader air campaign. For their extraordinary heroism and mission success, Vincent and the Apache crews were originally awarded Air Medals with “V” Device for valor, which were later upgraded to Distinguished Flying Crosses.
Following Desert Storm, Vincent returned to Fort Campbell and became an Instructor Pilot in 1995. He continued to serve with distinction, including an assignment in Korea where he conducted patrol operations along the Demilitarized Zone. He later deployed twice more to Iraq, in 2003 and 2005, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Combat Service and Legacy
Over the course of his career, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Vincent flew 292 combat missions, engaged in 27 direct-fire combat engagements, and accumulated 880 combat flight hours. His service reflects a rare combination of Ranger leadership, aviation expertise, and sustained combat experience across multiple conflicts.
Vincent’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, and six Air Medals with “V” Device for valor in combat operations.
CW 4 will be honored at the Aviation Heritage Park & Museum 2026 Hangar Party on June 20, 5-10 pm at the BG/WC Airport. Click HERE to read about more Distinguished Aviators who are honored at Aviation Heritage Park & Museum.
