Posted on 02/11/2010 3:17:14 PM PST by SandRat
2/11/2010 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- Nine 23rd Special Tactics Squadron combat controllers here were awarded 12 medals during a ceremony at Fresques Auditorium inside the Special Tactics Training Squadron here Feb. 5.
A standing-room-only crowd was on-hand to witness the presentation of 10 Bronze Star medals, one with Valor, and three Air Force Combat Action medals by the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster.
"Today is a day to recognize the heroes among us, and I am here to tell you that you are making a difference," said General Wurster. "I am proud of each of you and respect what you do for our country."
Tech. Sgt. Christopher Grove was presented two Bronze Stars, one with Valor. The Bronze Star is awarded to a person who distinguishes himself by heroic or meritorious service performed in ground combat.
According to the citation, Sergeant Grove directed overhead aircraft to engage the enemy as close as 120 meters from his position, with six 500-pound bombs during a recent deployment to Afghanistan. With 15 insurgents closing in on his position, he called for strikes without regard for his own personal safety at "danger close" range, executing his duties with professionalism and calm.
Danger close range is when friendly forces are within 600 meters of the target when calling for fire.
Other Bronze Star recipients included Lt. Col. Brett Nelson, 23rd STS commander, Maj. Gregory Mallon, Capt. Julio Terrero, Chief Master Sgt. Antonio Travis, Senior Master Sgt. Carlos Neris, Master Sgt. Donald Stevens, Tech. Sgt. Joseph Hepler and Staff Sgt. Ryan Carter.
Air Force Combat Action Medals were presented to Captain Terrero, Chief Travis and Sergeant Stevens.
The Air Force Combat Action Medal is awarded to an individual who actively participates in combat under direct and hostile fire while operating in unsecured space, or physically engaging hostile forces with direct and lethal fire.
Col. Brad Thompson, the 720th Special Tactics Group commander, spoke briefly about the men and their commitment to serve.
"You do it for your brothers and you do it for your nation," he said. "We're thankful and grateful to you."
Combat controllers are trained special operators and certified Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers. They deploy, undetected, into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control, fire support, command and control, direct action, counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance and special reconnaissance in the joint arena.
Their motto, "First There," reaffirms the combat controller's commitment to undertaking the most dangerous missions behind enemy lines by leading the way for other forces to follow.
This is what my son does.
He is an Air force Weapons Director.
They did essentially the same thing.
He is in a Research And Development assignment in Las Vegas now.
Please thank your son for me.
To be proud of him would be an understatement.
God bless him.
Thanks for sharing him with US.
That'll ruin there day, and perhaps yours as well. Probably had difficulty hearing for a while. Even if the six were not delivered all at once, but were JDAMs or other guided weapons, that's still darn close.
“They deploy, undetected, into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control, fire support, command and control, direct action, counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance and special reconnaissance in the joint arena.”
Cripes. Anyone who can do all of that ONCE ought to get a damn medal.
From ROMAD.com
Only a select few wear the Black Beret that symbolizes the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). The Air Force specialists are assigned to Army combat maneuver units around the world. On a battlefield, they form a tactical air control party team that plans, requests and directs air strikes against enemy targets in close proximity to friendly forces. A TACP is generally a two-airman team, working in an Army ground unit and directing close air support firepower toward enemy targets on the ground.
And more
Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller (ETAC — pronounced E-TACK ) is a Tactical air party member who performs mission planning and provides final control of close air support aircraft in support of ground forces. Utilizing their knowledge of munitions and their first-hand view of the battle, the ETAC requests the right combination of firepower to eliminate the ground target without causing casualties to nearby friendly ground forces. Once the enemy target has been positively identified, it is marked using smoke or other marking methods. When all the conditions have been met for the incoming aircraft to deliver its ordnance, the ETAC gives the “cleared hot” signal to the pilot, and suddenly, it’s a bad day for the enemy.
During combat operations, an Air Liaison Officer (ALO), Forward Air Controller (FAC) or Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller (ETAC) is normally available for control of close air support missions. These individuals are the only authorized Air Force personnel permitted to routinely control CAS missions in support of US Army units or other ground maneuver units, allied or joint, when attached. During emergency combat operations however, when these individuals are not available, a designated individual may direct attacking aircraft for close air support.
These guys go to a combat school and are out on the FEBA, nothing against Combat (Air traffic) Controllers, but the TACP folks are OUT there.
And ya, proud of the work done while active.....these youngsters now working the system are hard charg’n meat eaters for sure...
see ROMAD.com for more exciting details - I understand they are hiring right now.
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