Posted on 09/10/2004 10:54:45 PM PDT by snippy_about_it
Good morning manna.
Good morning samwise.
Good morning feather.
Good point Samwise.
LOL. You're very welcome. :-)
Thanks Mayor. Good Word, good graphic.
Too bad it'll never come to trial.
This has always been my favorite verse since I first heard it in grammar school.
It just seemed the right thing to do today.
Morning Aeronaut.
Great quote by President Bush and one that hit the nail right on the head.
Morning PE.
I knew that the Flag-O-Gram was gonna be that picture. ;-)
Morning E.G.C.
How's Oklahoma gonna do this year?
duckie is in Tampa. she called me LATE last night to tell me that she & "judyjudyjudy" were up GIGGLING "like a couple of teenagers"! LOL!
free dixie,sw
Morning alfa6
Hi Sam.
re: the quote: The President gets it, the challenger does not. W looks forward, F'n looks back. Has the choice ever been more clear?
!!!!!!
Good news. She deserves a fun break!
Stupid is as stupid does. :-)
US Air Force Combat Controllers
"First There, Last Out"
What is a Combat Controller?
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.
Where did they come from?
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.
What have they done?
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 today
USAF Combat Controllers have seen recent action during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM in Afghanistan. The following is taken from an American Forces Press Service article and a report on the battle:
U.S. commanders of Operation Anaconda wanted to insert special operators on the crest of the mountain. They reasoned the area would serve as a great observation point. "Unfortunately, the enemy thought so too," the battle report stated. Al Qaeda had fighters perfectly positioned to fire on helicopters and troops operating in the valley below.
An MH-47E helicopter with the call sign "Razor 03" was to airlift SEALs and an Air Force combat controller to the mountaintop. As it neared landing, it took intense enemy fire. A rocket-propelled grenade struck the aircraft and machine-gun fire severed hydraulic and oil lines aboard it. The pilot immediately applied power to get out of the area. Petty Officer 1st Class Neil Roberts, a Navy SEAL, slipped on the fluid and fell five to 10 feet onto the snow below the aircraft.
The helicopter flew out of the area and crash-landed about seven kilometers away. Roberts was alone atop the mountain. "Based on forensic evidence subsequently gathered from the scene, we believe Roberts survived the short fall from the helicopter, likely activated his signaling device, and engaged the enemy with his squad automatic weapon. He was mortally wounded by gunfire as the (enemy) closed in on him," the report said. Another helicopter – "Razor 04" – picked up the SEALs and Air Force TSgt. John Chapman – a combat controller – and went in to save Roberts. The helicopter took fire but was able to deliver the team. The SEALs and Chapman approached the last known area of Roberts, but were fired upon. As they maneuvered, they engaged the al Qaeda fighters and killed several. Chapman was killed and some of the SEALs were wounded. The SEALs decided to disengage. An Air Force AC-130 gun ship provided covering fire as the SEALs moved down the mountain and requested immediate assistance.
The mission fell to the U.S. Army Ranger Quick Reaction Force based in Gardez. The 23-man team loaded onto two MH- 47E helicopters and headed to the area. Communications breakdowns, however, caused the Rangers to believe the SEALs were still atop the mountain, and that is where one helicopter went.
As the chopper came in, al Qaeda fighters shot it down with RPGs and heavy machine-gun fire. Door gunner Army Sgt. Phil Svitak was killed and both pilots wounded. The MH-47E crashed and all aboard struggled to get out. Sgt. Brad Crose and Cpl. Matt Commons survived the initial fire, but were killed as they exited the aircraft. Spc. Marc Anderson was hit and killed while still in the chopper.
Even with the confusion, the Rangers, the Chinook crewmen and Air Force combat controllers moved to attack the enemy. Once it became apparent that the al Qaeda force on the mountain was too numerous, the group called in close-air support. The combat controllers called in 500-pound bombs within 50 meters of the special operators position.
In the meantime, the other helicopter with the rest of the Quick Reaction Force landed at another location. The Rangers climbed the 2,000 feet up the mountain to the original position and converged with their comrades at the scene around 10:30 a.m.
The linked teams then assaulted the al Qaeda positions. "As the Air Force (combat controller) called in a last air strike on the enemy bunkers and with two machine-guns providing suppression fire, seven Rangers stormed the hill as quickly as they could in the knee-deep snow – shooting and throwing grenades. Within minutes, the Rangers took the hill, killing multiple al Qaeda," the report said.
The Rangers and airmen consolidated their position. But al Qaeda on another ridgeline about 400 meters away fired on the team's makeshift aid station . Air Force Pararescueman Senior Airman Jason Cunnigham was hit and eventually died from his wounds.
The group stayed on the top of Takur Ghar until nightfall as commanders decided the area was too hot for another daylight rescue attempt. Seven Americans died in the battle, and 11 were wounded.
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.
Morning Grzegorz 246.
Snippy did a good job on this one.
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