What is Air Force Special Tactics? The easiest way to think about it is “Special Tactics” is to Air Force, as “SEALs” is to Navy, and "Special Forces” and “Rangers” are to Army. More specifically, in the 1970s, a small number of highly skilled men were brought together to provide the U.S. military a unique special tactics capability. That team was coined “Brand X.” Over the years, additional capabilities were added to this group and have grown into what we call Air Force Special Tactics.
Today, our mission is to provide Special Tactics Airmen for rapid global employment to enable airpower success. We’re U.S. Special Operations Command’s tactical air and ground integration force and the Air Force’s special operations ground force to enable global access, precision strike and personnel recovery operations.
We currently reside in 29 total operating locations, 16 recruiting locations, and have 13 geographically separated units. There are nearly 1,000 ST operators within AFSOC and approximately 2,500 members make up the Special Tactics community with almost 1,500 assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing.
What kind of careers or job specialties are in Special Tactics?
Special Tactics Officer (STO) - Special Tactics Airmen are elite special operators uniquely skilled in commanding and controlling operations integrating air and ground capabilities, often necessary in special operations, to achieve battlefield objectives. Special Tactics Officers (STOs) lead Special Tactics Teams (STTs) in preparation for worldwide contingency operations both in hostile and austere environments, ranging from counterterrorism missions to global humanitarian assistance operations.
Combat Control (CCT) – Along with pararescuemen, combat controllers (CCTs) are the Air Force’s most highly trained Airmen. As Federal Aviation Administration certified air traffic controllers, CCTs are capable of infiltrating via sea, air or land and controlling assets in the skies above.
Pararescue (PJ) – pararescuemen (PJs) are expert combat medical professionals capable of providing life-saving measures in hostile areas.
Special Reconnaissance (SR) – Special Reconnaissance Airmen are professional meteorologists capable of working side-by-side with America’s most elite special operators on specific missions.
Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) – As network specialists, TACPs conduct close air support and control communication networks in hostile areas.
Special Operations Surgical Teams (SOST) – consists of active-duty Air Force medical professionals including trauma surgeons, emergency physicians, nurse anesthetists, surgical scrub techs, critical-care nurses, and respiratory techs. They are charged with providing far-forward medical care during combat operations wherever the U.S. military is engaged. When not on active deployment, the team trains in surgery, in trauma centers and in intensive-care units.
Are JTACs in Air Force Special Tactics?
Actually, that term is frequently misused to describe an individual. The term JTAC, or joint terminal air control, is a qualification or certification that any career field can obtain by attending the school. Members in the combat control and tactical air control party career fields predominantly hold the JTAC qualification.
What has Air Force Special Tactics done in recent conflicts?
Since Sept. 11, 2001, Air Force Special Tactics has been involved in almost every major operation and has seen a significant amount of combat. In fact, ST averages a member being killed or wounded-in-action every 1.15 months dating back to 2001. Our community has received 10 Air Force Crosses, 34 Silver Stars, nearly 650 Bronze Stars, hundreds of Bronze Stars with valor, and hundreds of Purple Hearts. Special Tactics is the most highly decorated community in the Air Force since the end of the Vietnam War.
Interested in embedding with Special Tactics units? Need specific B-Roll of special operations mission sets? If you have a media query concerning Air Force Special Tactics and how we integrate air power into a special operations battlespace, please contact the 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs at 850-884-3902, or DSN: 579-3902, and 24sow.pao@us.af.mil.
We have general B-Roll packages available online in high resolution for your use:
COMBAT CONTROL:
General CCT B-Roll, Part 1
General CCT B-Roll, Part 2
Joint Terminal Attack Control Training (precision air strikes):
Joint Terminal Attack Control, Part 1 Joint Terminal Attack Control, Part 2
Airfield Seizure: taking over a hostile airfield to rescue injured personnel
GENERAL SPECIAL TACTICS TRAINING:
Water skills training for combat diving and combat resiliency
Night Ops Military Freefall
Infiltration into hostile or remote territory:
Fast Roping
Fast Roping from CV-22
PARARESCUE:
Confined space rescue from vehicle with jaws-of-life tool
High-angle ropes and confined space tactical rescue
DECORATIONS/MEDALS: Air Force Cross/Double Silver Star Medal ceremony
SPECIAL OPERATIONS SURGICAL TEAM:
Medical Care in remote areas