United States Air Force Combat Control Team

U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team
U.S. Air Force Combat Control Team
	U.S. Air Force Combat Control flash (colorized)
Active	January 1953 – present
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Special Operations Force
Role	Command and Control, Communications, ; Direct Action, ; Combat Search and Rescue, ; Close Air Support, ; Air Support, ; Light Infantry, ; Hostage Rescue, ; Foreign Internal Defense, ; Counter-terrorism, ; Close-quarters combat, ; Joint terminal attack controller, ; Special operations, ; Airborne force, ; Air assault, ; Forward air control, ; Forward observer, ; Unconventional warfare, Airfield Assault Zone establishment, special reconnaissance, Air traffic control, fire support
Size	360
Part of	United States Special Operations Command; Air Force Special Operations Command
Nickname(s)	CCT, Air Commando
Motto(s)	"First There"
Color of Beret	Scarlet Red
Engagements	Korean War; Vietnam War; Invasion of Grenada; Invasion of Panama; Gulf War; Operation Gothic Serpent Battle of Mogadishu (1993); Afghanistan War; Iraq War
Insignia
Combat Controller scarlet beret with beret flash

The United States Air Force Combat Control Teams, singular Combat Controller (CCT) (AFSC 1Z2X1), are an elite special operations force (specifically known as "special tactics operators") who specialize in all aspects of air-ground communication, as well as air traffic control, fire support (including rotary and fixed-wing close air support), and command, control, and communications in covert, forward, or austere environments.

Assigned to Special Tactics Squadrons and Special Tactics Teams along with Pararescuemen, Special Operations Reconnaissance, and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) operators, Combat Controllers are an integral part of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the Air Force component of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). Trained in underwater and maritime operations, freefall parachuting, and many other deployment methods, Combat Controllers are often assigned individually or as a team to Army Special Forces, Army Ranger, Navy SEAL, and Delta Force to provide expert airfield seizure, airstrike control, and communications capabilities.

Combat Controllers are FAA-certified air traffic controllers and maintain proficiency throughout their career. Along with TACPs, many Combat Controllers also qualify and maintain proficiency as joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) where they call in and direct air strikes, close air support and fire support. Out of the seven Air Force Crosses awarded since the Global War on Terror started in 2001, five have been awarded to Combat Controllers for extraordinary heroism in combat. CCT's provided vital intelligence and deployed with joint air and ground forces in support of direct action, counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance, special reconnaissance, austere airfield, and combat search and rescue

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