USAF Combat Controllers (CCT)

The Air Force has a little known group of elite airmen known as combat controllers. These battlefield airmen, who are also certified FAA air traffic controllers, play a vital role in current operations taking place in Afghanistan.

What Does a Combat Controller Do? As a service member under the Air Force Special Operations Command, a combat controller must be ready for anything. This means being capable of operating in hostile environments, directing air traffic and relaying battle relevant information to pilots and military leaders.

AFSOC Units

  • 16th Special Operations Wing — Hurlburt Field, Fla. (MC-130E/H, AC-130H/U, MH-53J, MC-130P, MH-60G)
  • 352nd Special Operations Group — RAF Mildenhall, England (MH-53J, MC-130P, MC-130H)
  • 353rd Special Operations Group — Kadena AB, Japan (MC-130H, MC-130P; MH-53J’s are located at Osan AB, South Korea)
  • 720th Special Tactics Group — Hurlburt Field, Fla.
  • 18th Flight Test Squadron — Hurlburt Field, Fla.
  • USAF Special Operations School — Hurlburt Field, Fla.

Prospective Recruits

not give just anyone a chance to try out to be a combat controller. There are requirements that must be met before a recruit even gets a chance to see the first stage of training. The requirements are as follows:

  • Male
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Eligible for a Secret security clearance.
  • Must join the Air Force before turning 28. If there is prior military service, it can be subtracted from the current age in order to achieve a result less than 28. For example, a 31 year old with 4 years of service is good to go because 314=27.
  • Must have normal color vision and at least 20/70 vision in both eyes, correctable to 20/20.
  • In addition to the standard military physical, must pass a Class III Flight Physical.
  • Minimum height: 4’10”, maximum height: 6’8″.
  • No more than 250 pounds (the max weight for jump school).
  • Must be able to pass a Physical Abilities and Stamina Test consisting of a swim, run and variety of calisthenics, to ensure sufficient physical preparation for the Combat Control training pipeline.

The Road to Combat Controller

Once the prospective recruit has qualified and earned a contract, the training really begins.
The process begins with a 10-day Combat Control Screening Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. This course focuses on physical fitness and is used to ‘weed out’ any recruits who may not be suitable for further training.

After successful completion of the screening course, the trainees advance to the 16-week Combat Control Operator Course (official website) at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. Here the trainee acquires a large volume of information such as how to recognize aircraft, air traffic rules, communication skills and radar skills.

The next stop is U.S. Army Airborne School for two weeks of static line jump training. Then it is on to Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, for 17 days of survival school. As the name implies, this school teaches the airmen the basic skills needed to survive in a remote and harsh environment.

The final phase of training is the 13-week Combat Control School at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina. This is where skills crucial to operating in a war zone are really developed. Such skills include land navigation, small unit tactics and field operations.

Air Force Combat Gear

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MultiCam Gear

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Oakley Combat Boots

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ABU Accessories

Follow-On Training

As a combat controller, the training never really stops. As soon as the title of combat controller is earned, it is on to more advanced training. This takes place over the course of a year while assigned to Hurlburt Field, Florida. The Special Tactics Advanced Skills Training is broken down into three phases.

During the five-month Formal Training Phase, combat controllers attend Air Force Combat Diver Course and Army Military Free Fall Course. These skills greatly expand the capabilities of the combat controllers, allowing them to be inserted from high altitudes by parachute, or by silent amphibious infiltration with diving equipment.

The three-month Core Phase allows the combat controllers to hone in their skills in communications, air traffic control and fire support with helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

The final phase of the Special Tactics Training is the three-month Operational Readiness Training Phase. This is where the combat controller learns all the combat skills needed for future assignment to a deployable unit. This phase includes using tactical vehicles, conducting reconnaissance and learning skills needed to participate in a variety of combat operations.

Current Operations

After all of this training, the combat controller is ready to serve as a valuable battlefield asset. Due to a variety of acquired skills, combat controllers can operate with any deployed branch of the service. They can be found in hostile areas of Afghanistan directing air traffic and fire support, while participating in direct action, reconnaissance and counter terrorism missions! They have saved the lives of many U.S. and coalition service members by directing fire support to eliminate enemy combatants. At times they have done this while under fire themselves! The skills of U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers have been, and still are truly battle tested.