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U.S. Air Force

Special Tactics

The Air Force's ground special operators. Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, Special Reconnaissance, and Tactical Air Control Party. They are the first on the ground, calling in airstrikes and saving lives under fire.

Special Tactics
Explore Special Tactics Units
24th SOW / STS / CCT / PJ
First There Est. 1953
SPEC TACTICS
24TH SOW
Special Tactics Squadrons
CCT / PJ / SR / TACP
CCT
Combat Controllers
PJ
Pararescuemen
SR
Special Recon
TACP
TAC AIR CTRL PARTY
Special Tactics is the Air Force's special operations ground force. Combat Controllers are FAA-certified air traffic controllers who parachute into hostile territory to establish assault zones, direct air traffic, and call in precision airstrikes. Pararescuemen are SOF combat medics who recover personnel under fire. Special Reconnaissance operators conduct clandestine ISR. TACP specialists embed with Army units to integrate airpower into ground operations. The 24th Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field is the only special tactics wing in the USAF. Read more
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Vietnam to the GWOT 1965 - Present
CCT
AFSC 1Z2X1
Combat Controllers
First There - Scarlet Beret
CCT
Combat Controller
ATC
FAA Certified
CAS
Terminal Attack Ctrl
Scarlet
BERET
Combat Controllers are the most heavily trained enlisted personnel in the Air Force. They are qualified air traffic controllers, joint terminal attack controllers, military freefall jumpers, combat divers, and demolition experts. CCTs deploy with Army Special Forces, SEALs, and Rangers to establish airfields, direct close air support, and control air traffic in contested environments. John Chapman, a CCT, received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions on Takur Ghar mountain in Afghanistan in 2002. Read more
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GWOT
MEDAL OF HONOR
GWOT Special Tactics
On Every SOF Operation
Chapman
Medal of Honor
Takur Ghar
Roberts Ridge
Embedded
With All SOF Units
Airstrikes
CALLED FROM CONTACT
During the GWOT, Special Tactics airmen embedded with every SOF element across both theaters. CCTs called in airstrikes while under direct fire. PJs treated casualties on objectives during SOF raids. TACP specialists integrated air support for Army units in sustained combat. Special Tactics earned a Medal of Honor (TSgt John Chapman), multiple Air Force Crosses, and dozens of Silver Stars. They operated in the most intense ground combat the Air Force has seen since Vietnam. Small teams. Enormous impact. Read more
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CCT
Combat Controllers
PJ
Pararescuemen
24th SOW
Special Tactics Wing
MoH
TSgt John Chapman