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.
Vietnam to the GWOT
1965 - Present
CCT
AFSC 1Z2X1
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.
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GWOT
MEDAL OF HONOR
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.
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CCT
Combat Controllers
PJ
Pararescuemen
24th SOW
Special Tactics Wing
MoH
TSgt John Chapman