COMBAT CONTROL

Air Force Special Operations Command's combat controllers are ground operators assigned to Special Tactics squadrons. They are trained special operations forces and certified FAA air traffic controllers. The mission of a combat controller is to deploy, undetected, into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control, fire support, command and control, direct action, counterterrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance and special reconnaissance in the joint arena. Visit
Airforce.com/SpecialWarfare
to learn more and get connected with a Special Warfare recruiter.

OPERATIONAL BASING

COMBAT CONTROLLERS OPERATE ALL OVER THE WORLD

All combat controllers are Special Tactics Airmen work under Air Force Special Operations Command, assigned to special tactics squadrons within the 24th Special Operations Wing, as well as the 321st Special Tactics Squadron, RAF Mildenhall, U.K., and 320th Special Tactics Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan. They are trained special operations forces and certified FAA air traffic controllers.

HOW DO I BECOME A COMBAT CONTROLLER?

Combat controllers are among the most highly trained personnel in the U.S. military. They maintain air traffic control qualification skills throughout their careers; many qualify and maintain currency in joint terminal attack control procedures, in addition to other special operations skills. Their 97-week training and unique mission skills earn them the right t wear the scarlet beret. Visit Airforce.com/SpecialWarfare to learn more and get connected with a Special Warfare recruiter to start the application process.

INITIAL FITNESS TEST (IFT)

8 pull-ups under 2 minutes

50 sit-ups under 2 minutes

40 push ups under 2 minutes

1.5 mile run under 10 minutes 20 seconds

2x25 Underwater Swim (pass/fail)

500m Surface Swim under 12:30

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A COMBAT CONTROLLER?

The combat control career field requires 97 weeks of training and unique mission skills for them to earn the right to wear the scarlet beret.

TRAINING

They maintain air traffic control qualification skills throughout their careers; many qualify and maintain currency in joint terminal attack control procedures, in addition to other special operations skills like infiltration skills, combat diver and demolition qualifications.

combat control airman during a joint force exercise

SPECIAL WARFARE PREPARATORY COURSE (SW PREP)

Candidates undergo intense strength and conditioning training by running, rucking, and swimming extensively.

SPECIAL WARFARE ASSESSMENT AND SELECTION COURSE

Candidates must prove they are worthy to advance in CCT training or find another career field.

SPECIAL WARFARE PRE-DIVE COURSE

Pre-dive prepares candidates physically and mentally for the rigors of combat dive school. It consists of intense calisthenics, middle- and long-distance running, swimming and most importantly, water-confidence training.

SPECIAL WARFARE COMBAT DIVE COURSE

Becoming an expert diver happens here. Building upon what they learned during the pre-dive course, CCT 's undergo extensive combat dive training so they can wield airpower whenever, wherever.

AIRBORNE SCHOOL

This course provides final CCT qualifications.

MILITARY FREE-FALL COURSE

In addition to being certified air traffic controllers, CCT 's are also advanced skydivers. This is where they take that next step by building on the training they received at airborne school.

SERE TRAINING

Special Warfare Airmen conduct missions in some of the most extreme and hostile places on the planet. Here they receive survival, evasion, resistance, and escape training.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

The primary responsibility of a CCT is to direct air traffic. In addition to continuing the rigorous fitness training, they also learn how to become air traffic controllers and eventually get FAA certified.

COMBAT CONTROL APPRENTICE COURSE

CCT 's are more than air traffic controllers, they 're battlefield Airmen usually operating in the middle of a war zone. They learn to apply their training under pressure while obtaining fundamental combat skills utilizing a range of weapons and strategies.

SPECIAL TACTICS TRAINING

The longest segment of the pipeline is also the most comprehensive with advanced weapons and demolition training, all-terrain vehicle operation and core skills instruction, all culmination in a five-level upgrade on completion.