Combat Controllers are the US Air Force Special Operations Command's ground combat forces. They are organized in Special Tactics Squadrons. Their mission is to deploy into hostile territory to establish assault zones with air traffic control capabilities, emplace enroute and terminal navigations aids, communication command and control, and the demolition or removal of obstacles. Combat Controllers are trained to carry out their mission via parachute, SCUBA, mountaineering, or any number of a wide range of tactical insertions into hostile territory. They are "First There" to provide air traffic control anywhere, anytime, under any conditions.
During World War Two, there were significant problems with the US Army's first major parachute and glider assaults. Personnel and equipment were being dropped as much as 30 miles from their intended drop zones. The Army high command soon realized that they needed better control on the ground to guide the aircraft and landing troops. The Army created the Pathfinders; a small company of parachute infantry trained in air traffic control.
The Pathfinders were tested in combat during the invasion of Italy in September, 1943. The 82nd Airborne Division was parachuted into Salerno Italy to reinforce the initial invasion forces. A Pathfinder company was dropped minutes before the 82nd made their drop. Using radios, smoke pots, and flares, the Pathfinders marked the way for the landing Airborne forces. The operation was a tremendous success. Pathfinder units were made operation units for the Airborne Divisions and played a crucial role in the parachute and glider landings in Normandy, France during Operation Overlord in June of 1944. In September 1944, Pathfinders from the 101st Airborne Division participated in operation Market Garden and were the key to the successful insertion of Airborne troops in precise locations.
When the US Air Force was made a separate service in 1947, the Pathfinders went with them but still retained responsibility for supporting Army Airborne and ground troops. Their mission expanded to include navigation aid and air traffic control for the expanding Airlift Command and were made operational units of the Aerial Port squadrons. Their name was then chnaged to Combat Control Teams. They continued with these missions until 1984 when they were designated as independant squadrons reporting to Wing commanders.
During the 50's and 60's, the CCTs participated in numerous emergency operations around the world. From lebanon to Cuba to the Congo, the CCTs were called upon to perform vital control of the air movement of men and materiel. During the Vietnam War, Combat Controllers were key to several operations including the reinforcement and later evacuation of Khe Sahn and two Combat Controllers were among the last Americans to be evacuated from the American Embassy in Saigon in 1975. During the 70's, Combat Controllers were sent to support reliefe operations after a severe earthquake in Central America and CCTs operated throughout North Africa to control the delivery of tons of food and relief supplies to drought ravaged countries.
In 1983, 12 Combat Controllers parachuted from 500 feet onto the tiny island nation of Grenada. Within hours they had emplaced numerous navigation beacons and had establish a command and control center for air, ground and naval forces deployed for the rescue operation. In 1989, Combat Controllers and Army Rangers landed and secured 2 key airfields during Operation Just Cause in Panama. After taking control of the airfields, the Combat Controllers established an air traffic control network to direct the hundreds of aircraft bringing in the assault forces and their supplies. Combat Controllers played a key part in the air traffic and air to ground communications of the UN forces during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
Combat Controllers played a crucial role in the rescue of Army Rangers after their helicopters had been shot down in Somalia. Combat Controllers were inserted and established critical communication links with support aircraft and ground forces that allowed the trapped Rangers to be rescued with a minimum loss of life. This mission was the culmination of continuous operations where the CCTs controlled the arrival and departure of aircraft carrying relief supplies for the western African country.
Combat Controllers are assigned to 4 Special Tactics Squadrons in the United States. The 21st and 24th STS is stationed at Pope AFB in North Carolina, the 22nd STS is stationed at McChord AFB in Washington, and the 23rd STS is stationed at Hurlburt Field in Florida. In addition, the 720th Special Tactics group is stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida and the Combat Controller school is located at Pope AFB in North Carolina.
To become a Combat Controller requires 55 weeks of training at a wide range of schools. It is a rigourous schedule and only about 20% of those who enroll make it all the way through.
| School | Duration | Location |
| Selection Process | 12 weeks | Lackland AFB, TX |
| Special Forces Combat Diver | 5 weeks | NAS Key West, FL |
| Army Airborne | 3 weeks | Ft. Benning, GA |
| Army Military Free Fall | 4 weeks | Ft. Bragg, NC |
| USAF Combat Survival | 3 weeks | Fairchild AFB, WA |
| USAF Air Traffic Control | 16 weeks | Keesler AFB, MS |
| Combat Control | 12 weeks | Pope AFB, NC |
Combat Controllers continue to operate around the world whenever and wherever the US Air Force or US Army need to land large amounts of equipment or troops from the air. They stand ready to be "First There" to establish landing and drop zones to bring in Airborne and Airmobile forces safely and on target.