MOVED

[2RHPZ]

EDIT

[kommando]

dude i just read the book by Col. John Carney No Room For Error
it is so good
i always wondered why people thought combat controllers and PJs were special forces becuase they were not thta much to me.
but i read this book and holy crap.
not all CCT's were working with SF. Carney took an elite group of 6 and started "Brand X".
Neway to cut a long story short, they formed and worked with seal teams and delta when they were just starting and played an important role in making delta operations capable over a group called "blue light" (does anyone have any information on blue light)
but imbedded in all the american SF books you read about and every airplane assault carried out by a SF group there is ALWAYS one CCT.
cheerios

[MEGR]

CCTs are just as badass as SEALs, Delta, SF, and Rangers.

[kommando]

no not to that extent and the book even mentions that fact

[shrek]

Served with them, drank with them, got some pics, respect them, great bunch of guys!

If you're in a pinch and the only thing that's gonna get you out is some serious airstikes, the number one guy you want to keep alive is your TAC-P!!!

[kommando]

yeah this dude said heaps of times they (rangers and delta) tried to do it without the CCT guys and the failed harcore
so they became a intergral part, but Carney who formed them even admitts they are nowhere near the skills of their counter parts in the way of shooting and fitness which is something thta he wants them to work on

[haze99]

all of you are correct, and yes John Carney's book is the one to read.

two other books (paperbacks)
From a Dark Sky, by Orr Kelly.
Air Commando by Phillip Chinnery. These actually cover the AC-130 and MH-53 squadrons. Not so much special tactics. But, if you are interested in USAF AFSOC, those are good reads!

[2RHPZ]

Combat Weathermen

Mission

Combat Weathermen are weather forecasters with forward ground combat capabilities.

They gather and interpret weather data and provide intelligence from deployed locations while serving as members of Air Force Special Tactics teams with US Army Special Operations Forces.

They collect data, assist mission planning, generate accurate and mission-tailored target and route forecasts in support of global special operations, conduct special weather reconnaissance, and train foreign national forces.

They are specifically located to provide meteorological and oceanographic support to various components of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Combat Weathermen employ various infiltration/exfiltration methods to include: static line and military free-fall parachute, small boat or amphibious means, over land - mounted or dismounted, airland via fixed or rotary-wing aircraft, and airmobile procedures to include rappel, fast-rope, and rope ladder.

Once in the objective area, they provide climatological/oceanographic data, solar/lunar data, and weather forecasts/observations to support pre-deployment, deployment, mission planning, execution, redeployment and special weather reconnaissance.

Other Combat Weather capabilities include: training members of U.S. Army Special Operations Command to take and communicate limited weather observations,collect upper air data, organize, establish and maintain weather data reporting networks, and determine host nation meteorological (observing and forecasting) capabilities.

http://home.nc.rr.com/usafsowt/image004.jpg

Combat Weathermen Today

Assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Combat Weathermen join forces with Combat Controllers and Pararescuemen to form highly trained Special Tactics teams.

A Special Tactics team frequently operates with Navy Seals, Army Rangers, and Special Forces in "direct action" (DA), airfield seizure, foreign internal defense (FID) and unconventional warfare, and personnel recovery missions in hostile territory.

Operating in all climates, day or night, Combat Weathermen maintain the highest standards of physical fitness and proficiency in the use of light weapons.

They endure some of the toughest training offered in the U.S. military. Their training, as well as their unique mission, earns them the right to wear the grey beret.

Combat Weathermen are assigned under the 720th Special Tactics Group, an AFSOC unit headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Within the 720th STG they are assigned to the 10th Combat Weather Squadron, the only Combat weather squadron in the U.S. Air Force, and the 320th, 321st, and 24th Special Tactics Squadrons.

Combat Weathermen
Highly Trained Commandos
Combat Weathermen are part of the Air Force Special Tactics Group. Unlike other special operations forces, Combat Weather only recruits from existing resources within the weather career field. In addition, weather has one of the Air Force’s highest entrance score requirements. In addition to the initial weather technical school requirements trainees must complete a series of training schools

The latest change in the Combat Weather training schedule is AFSOC’s new Advanced Skills Training based at Hurlburt Field, Fla., which increases the success rate of Combat Weather trainees by employing a mentoring training philosophy.

U.S. Army Airborne School, Fort Benning, Ga. (3 weeks) - Trainees learn basic parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line airdrop.

U.S. Air Force Basic Survival School, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash.
(2.5 weeks) - This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas. This includes instruction of principles, procedures, equipment, and techniques, which enable individuals to survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments, and return home.

Air Force Special Operations Command Advanced Skills Training (4 months) - Advanced Skills Training (AST) employs a "warrior training warrior”" philosophy, teaching the skills necessary for successful service in the Special Tactics community. Training includes preparation for the Army Military Freefall Parachutist Schools. Also included is training in advanced communications and navigational aids, employment techniques, weapons training and small unit tactics.

U.S. Army Military Free Fall Parachutist School, Fort Bragg, N.C., and Yuma Proving Grounds, Ariz. (5 weeks) - This course instructs trainees in free fall parachuting procedures. The course provides wind tunnel training, in-air instruction focusing on student stability, aerial maneuvers, air sense, and parachute opening procedures.

Origins of Combat Weather

Combat Weathermen….

Parachute School was established at Fort Benning, Georgia, on 15 May 1942. Volunteers attend this same school. It is a 3-week TDY course and when possible, students attend en route to their duty assignment.

24 June 1942. Supported the American effort against the Japanese in the China-Burma-India (CBI) theater of operations.

June 1944, seeing action during World War II at Normandy Beach, France; and, in the Netherlands and Yugoslavia.

On 16 June 1966, the 10th WS was reactivated at Udorn Airfield, Thailand to conduct combat weather operations in Southeast Asia. Squadron was responsible for training indigenous weather personnel and setting up the clandestine weather observation networks throughout Southeast Asia.

Nov 1971 personnel from the 10th WS were key players in many successful special operations including the highly weather dependent Son Tav raid. Timing for the Son Tay raid was advanced by 24 hours based on the 3 -day forecast. Weather support personnel successfully forecast the only 12 hours of "go" conditions during a 38-day period.

Oct 1983 Combat Weathermen deployed in support of Operation Urgent Fury, the U.S. invasion of Grenada Working with other SOF and conventional forces.

Oct 1990 Desert Shield/Desert storm involved many Combat Weather units supporting the entire spectrum of Special Operations.

Oct 1993 Mogadishu, Somalia Combat weathermen supported TF Ranger in its operation to capture Warlord Muhammad Faraha Adid

1995? Bosnia, Combat Weathermen briefed crews that conducted CSAR operations, and Army Special Forces units. (Continues today).

Continuously supporting SOUTHCOM Counter Narcotics operations in South America.

Continuing to support ongoing operations in Americas War on Terrisom in Afghanistan.

U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs Office