Air Force Special Warfare
Air Force Special Warfare comprises ground combat forces that specialize in airpower application in hostile, denied, and politically sensitive environments. They operate in some of the most challenging environments on Earth to ensure our Air Force can control the air and protect our forces on the ground.
What is Air Force Special Warfare?
Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR) is the Air Force’s ground combat and special operations community: the Airmen who control air power, recover isolated personnel and conduct reconnaissance on the ground, often alongside Army, Navy and Marine special operations forces. It is made up of the enlisted and officer career fields below, and every one of them starts with passing the Initial Fitness Test.
Enlisted Operators
Pararescue (PJ)
Personnel recovery and combat medicine: reaching, treating and extracting isolated or injured personnel anywhere in the world.
Combat Control (CCT)
FAA-certified air traffic controllers who open and control airfields and assault zones in hostile and austere locations.
Special Reconnaissance (SR)
Reconnaissance and surveillance that builds battlespace awareness and supports targeting for air and ground forces.
Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)
Airmen embedded with ground units who plan, request and control air power, including close air support.
Officers
Special Tactics Officer (STO)
Leads Special Tactics teams of Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen and Special Reconnaissance Airmen.
Combat Rescue Officer (CRO)
Leads personnel recovery forces and plans rescue operations.
TACP Officer (TACPO)
Leads TACP Airmen and advises ground commanders on integrating air power.
Precision Strike
Global Access
Personnel Recovery