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Air Force Special Tactics

Air Force Special Tactics integrates highly-trained personnel, specialized equipment and unique tactics to project airpower and achieve strategic objectives. Air Force Special Tactics consist of Combat Controllers (CCT), Pararescuemen (PJ), Special Reconnaissance (SR), Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) and Special Tactics Officers (STOs). Among the most highly-trained operators in the world, Air Force Special Tactics Airmen maintain expertise in static-line parachuting, military free fall, combat diving, demolitions, close air support, combat search and rescue, drop zone operations and airfield seizures behind enemy lines.

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STO

One of the most elite career fields in the U.S. Air Force, Special Tactics Officers help provide global access for coalition forces with assault zone assessment and control, fire support, personnel recovery/combat search and rescue, battlefield trauma care and tactical weather operations. These highly-trained officers provide subject matter expertise to plan and manage the command and control of Special Tactics forces.

IFAM

YOU MUST BE ACTIVE DUTY USAF TO APPLY

A week-long program, the Initial Familiarization (IFAM) course is available for active duty Airmen interested in cross-training into the Combat Control (CCT), Special Reconnaissance (SR) or Special Tactics Officer (STO) career fields. IFAM consists of in-depth career field briefs, pipeline skills, leadership scenarios and events to include water confidence, rucking, running, swimming, calisthenics and more. The week ends with a challenging culminating exercise where candidates will put their physical and mental toughness to the ultimate test. 

SOST

A rapidly-deployable team in or near combat and non-permissive environments, Special Operations Surgical Teams provide life-saving care to Special Operations ground forces supporting our nation’s most critical missions. SOSTs close the gap between the front lines and conventional medical care. These teams, carrying specialized equipment, are specifically designed to support a wide spectrum of U.S. Special Operations Command missions in varying threat environments, locations, light conditions and weather-forward and independent of established healthcare support systems or facilities.

TACP

YOU MUST ALREADY BE A TACP WITHIN THE USAF TO APPLY

Tactical Air Control Party Airmen train and deploy with the Air Force’s only Special Operations ground force. You will receive world class training alongside your Combat Control, Special Recon, and Pararescue teammates. Expect to attend at minimum Army Military Freefall school, with Combat Dive qualification being optional. You will be expected to become a FIRES subject matter expert, and when deployed, attach directly to sister service SOF teams such as Army ODAs, Navy Seal, and MARSOC teams. Additionally, you will become proficient at Personnel Recovery and Global Access as you will train with and may also deploy as a Special Tactics Team.

SERE

YOU MUST ALREADY BE A SERE SPECIALIST WITHIN THE USAF TO APPLY

As a Special Tactics SERE specialist, you will train and deploy with the Air Force’s only special operations ground force. Receive ample opportunity to attend advanced qualification schools and become a personnel recovery/escape and evasion subject matter expert. In garrison, on top of receiving your individual training, you will be expected to provide instruction and develop realistic training/exercise scenarios to prepare our Special Tactics Teams for the environments they will be deployed into.

EOD

YOU MUST ALREADY BE AN EOD TECHNICIAN WITHIN THE USAF TO APPLY

As a Special Tactics EOD technician, you will train and deploy with the Air Force’s only special operations ground force. Receive ample opportunity to attend advanced qualification schools including Marine Special Operations Forces EOD Level 1, static-line airborne, military freefall and more. In garrison and while deployed, expect to integrate directly within a Special Tactics Team, training with and providing an important SOF EOD capability internal to the team.