720th Special Tactics Group

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720th Special Tactics Group
720th Special Tactics Group airmen jump 20071003.jpg
720th Special Tactics Group airmen jump from a C-130J Hercules
ActiveOctober 1, 1987 – present
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States of America
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
Type Special Operations Forces
RoleOrganize, train and equip ST forces worldwide to integrate, synchronize, and/or control air power during operations.
Size800 [1]
Part of United States Special Operations Command Insignia.svg U.S. Special Operations Command
Shield of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command.svg Air Force Special Operations Command
24th Special Operations Wing insignia.jpg 24th Special Operations Wing
Garrison/HQ Hurlburt Field
Engagements Persian Gulf War
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Decorations Gallant Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device
Insignia
720th Special Tactics Group emblem (Approved 9 June 1988) [2] 720th Special Tactics Group insignia.jpg

The 720th Special Tactics Group is one of the special operations ground components of the 24th Special Operations Wing, assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) of the United States Air Force. [3] The group is headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The group is composed of geographically separated squadrons in four separate states; Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina and Washington.

Contents

Overview

The Group's Special Tactics Squadrons are made up of Special Tactics Officers, Combat Controllers, Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescuemen, Special Reconnaissance, Air Liaison Officers, Tactical Air Control Party personnel, and a number of combat support airmen which comprise 58 Air Force specialties. [4]

Special Tactics Squadrons are organized, trained and equipped specifically for various special operations missions facilitating air operations on the battlefield. They conduct combat search and rescue missions, perform battlefield surgery, [5] collect intelligence, as well as call in close air support or airstrikes against enemy combatants and are often partnered with other U.S. special operations forces overseas.

Subordinate units

720th STG airmen during the transition ceremony of the 17th ASOS from Air Combat Command to Air Force Special Operations Command. 720th STG 2008.jpg
720th STG airmen during the transition ceremony of the 17th ASOS from Air Combat Command to Air Force Special Operations Command.

The 720th Special Tactics Group is assigned four special tactics squadrons and a support squadron. [4]

Other missions

The 720th STG also serves as the functional manager for two Special Tactics squadrons stationed outside the United States, the 320th Special Tactics Squadron under the 353d Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and the 321st Special Tactics Squadron under the 352d Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England. [1]

There are two Air National Guard units that augments the 720th STG for training and deployments, the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, based at Standiford Field, [1] and the Oregon Air National Guard's 125th Special Tactics Squadron, based at Portland International Airport.

History

Prior to May 2014, special operations weather technicians were assigned to the 10th Combat Weather Squadron. The decision was made to integrate these technicians with the other special operators serving in the special tactics squadrons and the squadron was inactivated upon their transfer. [6]

CHIEF Master Sergeant Aaron deployed from the group's 22d Special Tactics Squadron to Kandahar Province Afghanistan, was awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions on 10 December 2013. CMSgt Aaron and two Army Special Forces teammates had become separated from the main friendly body of troops while infiltrating enemy territory. The three were trapped in a courtyard by intense enemy fire that wounded CMSgt Aaron's two companions. CMSgt Aaron sprinted from his position to the exposed position of the two wounded teammates to defend them. Aaron continued to fight the enemy alone until reinforcements arrived. Once they did, he dragged his teammates to a nearby position of concealment and administered life-saving trauma care. [7]

Lineage

Assignments

Components

Ft. Benning, Georgia [9]
Pope Air Force Base (later Pope Field, North Carolina [10]
Joint Base Lewis-McChord, (McChord Air Force Base), Washington [11]
Pope Air Force Base (later Pope Field), North Carolina [12]
Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico [13]

Stations

Awards

Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
GUC Streamer.JPG Gallant Unit Citation 1 January 2008–30 September 2009 [2]
AF MUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 January 2008–30 September 2009
AFOUA with Valor.jpg Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device 1 September 2001–31 August 2003 [2]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 August 1991-31 July 1993 [2]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 August 1993-31 July 1995 [2]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 August 1995-31 July 1997 [2]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 September 1999-31 August 2001 [2]
AFOUA Streamer.JPG Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 August 1997-31 July 1999 [2]

Commanders

Related Research Articles

United States special operations forces (SOF) are the special forces of the United States Department of Defense's United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) within the United States Armed Forces, used for special operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air Force Special Operations Command</span> United States military unit

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida, is the special operations component of the United States Air Force. An Air Force major command (MAJCOM), AFSOC is also the U.S. Air Force component command to United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), a unified combatant command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. AFSOC provides all Air Force Special Operations Forces (SOF) for worldwide deployment and assignment to regional unified combatant commands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">321st Special Tactics Squadron</span> Military unit

The 321st Special Tactics Squadron is an active ground unit, within the 752d Special Operations Group, United States Air Force, United States European Command, and is based at RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, eastern England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Air Force Special Reconnaissance</span> US Air Force career specialty

Special Reconnaissance (SR)—formerly Special Operations Weather Technician or Team (SOWT)—is conducted by trained Air Force personnel assigned to Special Tactics Squadrons of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command who operate deep behind enemy lines to conduct covert direction of air and missile attacks, place remotely monitored sensors, and support other special operation units. Like other special operations units, SR units may also carry out direct action (DA) and unconventional warfare (UW), including guerrilla operations. As SOWTs they were tactical observer/forecasters with ground combat capabilities and fell under the Air Force Special Tactics within the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The mission of a Special Operations Weather Technician was to deploy by the most feasible means available into combat and non-permissive environments to collect and interpret meteorological data and provide air and ground forces commanders with timely, accurate intelligence. 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. SOWTs 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">24th Special Tactics Squadron</span> US Air Force military unit

The 24th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the Special Tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). Garrisoned at Pope Field, North Carolina, it is the U.S. Air Force component of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). The unit's webpage describes it as "the Air Force's special operations ground force".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">319th Special Operations Squadron</span> Military unit

The 319th Special Operations Squadron was first activated in September 1944 as the 319th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando) and served in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II. It provided airlift support and conducted airborne drops and glider operations for Allied troops in Burma, central China, and French Indochina in the last year of World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Special Operations Wing</span> US Air Force unit

The 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida is one of three United States Air Force active duty Special Operations wings and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">24th Special Operations Wing</span> Military unit

The 24th Special Operations Wing is a United States Air Force active-duty wing that was activated on 12 June 2012. Its headquarters is at Hurlburt Field, Florida and it has component groups located in North Carolina, Georgia and Washington. It is the third special operations wing in Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">18th Special Operations Test and Evaluation Squadron</span> Military unit

The 18th Special Operations Test and Evaluation Squadron is an active unit of the United States Air Force, based at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The squadron performs field testing for Air Force Special Operations Command, evaluating aircraft, equipment, and tactics in realistic battlespace environments to provide decision-makers with accurate, timely, and complete assessments of mission capability. From concept development to system fielding, the unit's mission improves the survivability and combat capability of special operations forces worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">6th Special Operations Squadron</span> United States Air Force combat aviation advisory unit

The 6th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The squadron operates MC-130J Commando II aircraft in support of special operations. The 6th SOS specializes in the use of night vision goggles and formation tactics to refuel large helicopter and tilt-rotor formations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">361st Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group</span> Military unit

The United States Air Force's 361st Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Group is an intelligence unit located at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It provides intelligence support to Air Force Special Operations Command.

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Lieutenant General Eric E. Fiel is a retired United States Air Force officer who served as commander of Air Force Special Operations Command from 2011 to 2014. The command is the Air Force component of United States Special Operations Command. AFSOC provides Air Force special operations forces for worldwide deployment and assignment to unified combatant commanders. The command has approximately 16,000 active-duty, Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian professionals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">21st Special Tactics Squadron</span> Military unit

The 21st Special Tactics Squadron is one of the special tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command. It is garrisoned at Pope Field, North Carolina.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">724th Special Tactics Group</span> Military unit

The 724th Special Tactics Group is one of the special operations ground components of the 24th Special Operations Wing, assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The Group is headquartered at Pope Field, North Carolina. The Group is composed of four squadrons, also located on Pope Field.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">26th Special Tactics Squadron</span> Military unit

The 26th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the Special Tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). It is garrisoned at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. From 1991 to 1992, the squadron's predecessor, the 7026th Special Activities Squadron was stationed in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">17th Special Tactics Squadron</span> Unit of the United States Air Force

The 17th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the ten Special Tactics Squadrons of United States Air Force Special Operations Command. It is garrisoned at Fort Moore, Georgia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">22nd Special Tactics Squadron</span> Military unit

The 22nd Special Tactics Squadron is a Special Tactics unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, based at the McChord Air Force Base facility of Joint Base Lewis–McChord.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">320th Special Tactics Squadron</span> Military unit

The 320th Special Tactics Squadron is a Special Tactics unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, based at Kadena Air Base.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matthew Wolfe Davidson</span> U.S. Air Force general

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References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 "Factsheet: 720th Special Tactics Group". 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs. 25 January 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Haulman, Daniel L. (15 July 2010). "Factsheet 720 Special Tactics Group (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  3. ↑ "24th Special Operations Wing". Air Force Special Operations Command. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 13 December 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Factsheet:24th Special Operations Wing" . Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "Battlefield Surgery".
  6. 1 2 Parkinson, A1C Jeff (14 May 2014). "Hurlburt deactivates [sic] squadron". nwfdailynews.com. Retrieved 13 July 2015.
  7. ↑ Savage, Maj Craig (17 December 2014). "PJ's extraordinary heroism earns an Air Force Cross". Air Force News Service. Retrieved 12 July 2015.
  8. ↑ Unless indicated, group components are stationed with the group headquarters.
  9. 1 2 Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organizational Status Change Report, October 2008
  10. ↑ "Factsheets : 21 Special Tactics Squadron (AFSOC)". Afhra.af.mil. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
  11. ↑ Dollman, David (15 May 2017). "22 Special Tactics Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  12. ↑ 24 Special Tactics Squadron (AFSOC) > Air Force Historical Research Agency > Display
  13. ↑ See "Factsheet 24th Special Operations Wing". 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2015. (list of groups and squadrons assigned to 24th Wing)
  14. ↑ Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organizational Status Change Report, June 2008
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 Marion, Forrest (2018). Brothers in Berets: The Evolution of Air Force Special Tactics, 1953-2003 (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press. pp. 162, 180, 243, 300, 315, 336. ISBN   978-1585662784.
  16. ↑ "Photochart of USAF Leadership (As of Sept. 1 1998)" (PDF). AIR FORCE Magazine. September 1998: 74.
  17. ↑ "Brigadier General Robert H. Holmes". United States Air Force. June 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  18. ↑ "Craig Rith". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  19. ↑ "Photochart of USAF Leadership (As of Sept. 1, 2004)" (PDF). AIR FORCE Magazine. September 2004: 91.
  20. ↑ "Photochart of USAF Leadership (As of Sept. 1, 2005)" (PDF). AIR FORCE Magazine. September 2005: 90.
  21. ↑ Dick, Erin (18 August 2006). "720th STG under new leadership". AFSOC Public Affairs. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
  22. ↑ "Colonel Marc F. Stratton". 37th Training Wing. July 2011. Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  23. 1 2 Cooper, Amy (1 July 2008). "720th Special Tactics Group welcomes new commander". Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  24. ↑ Norrad, Wayne G. (July 2010). "CCA President's Corner" (PDF). CCA News. Combat Controller Association (20): 13. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 November 2016.
  25. ↑ "Colonel Robert G. Armfeld". Air Force Special Operations Command. May 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  26. ↑ "Kurt Buller". www.linkedin.com. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2016.

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