RAY SWANSON | Keystone Corner Bennett's nephew is 'quite a guy'

He led the initial strike into Afghanistan. He has participated in numerous operations in the Persian Gulf and Mediterranean as well as combat operations in Bosnia.
To say that he has led an interesting and highly adventuresome life certainly would be an understatement. He is a professional in the most significant meaning of the word.
He is retired Capt. Thomas C. Bennett, a native of East Liverpool.
Bennett is the nephew of Don Bennett, former principal, educator and basketball coach at Sharon High and current president of the Mercer County Hall of Fame.
"He's quite a guy," stated the elder Bennett, who is also a one-time resident of East Liverpool and a friend of Lou Holtz. "There's nothing Tommy can't do once he sets his mind to it."
Honored by city
For his outstanding achievements, Tom recently was honored by the City of East Liverpool, along with a number of other outstanding members of the citizenry. Don and his wife, Gladysz, attended the function held on July 3 in East Liverpool.
Tom Bennett graduated from East Liverpool High in 1972. He was a placekicker for the high school football team and competed in track and cross country.
After his graduation he attended Mount Union College and earned a degree in international relations before taking on a storied career with the U.S. Navy in 1976.
Bennett served as a staff commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet's Medium Attack Electronic Combat Wing. Later, he served as commanding officer for the VAQ-140 and was responsible for a carrier based EA6B Squadron. He was granted the distinction of being the top pilot (best carrier landing grade) out of 106 pilots in the air wing.
Bennett's positions were numerous, including as deputy inspector general of the U.S. Space Command; and he was responsible for the inspection and reporting of all U.S. military and space related systems, including all NASA shuttle launch safety issues.
He also was executive officer of the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk and second in command of a 3,000-man aircraft carrier. And he was selected to lead 16 aircraft into Landiviseau, France, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of forces landing in Europe.
Part of 9/11 response
One of the major highlights of Bennett's career came when he was named air wing commander during the initial response to 9/11. He was the Air Component commander in charge of two air wings (160 aircraft and 8,000 personnel), and he worked directly with Gen. Tommy Franks, planning and directing attacks into Afghanistan.
He has been the recipient of two Legion of Merit Awards, a Bronze Star with combat, two Defense Meritorious Service medals, an Air Medal, a Navy Commendation medal, and two Navy Achievement medals.
So what does Bennett do now that he has retired? Well, among those with the most notoriety, he is serving as a private pilot for one of the country's most notable film stars. We can't reveal his employer's name, however, because he had to sign a confidentiality agreement.