United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party



The U. S. Air Force (USAF) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) is the principle USAF liaison element to the United States Army (USA) provided in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the USAF and the USA for the Exchange of Liaisons. In this context, the TACP is a USAF liaison element aligned with Army combat maneuver echelons from corps to battalion. The TACP provides its aligned Army unit with expertise in planning and executing airpower in support of the land component commander's scheme of maneuver. The term "TACP" also refers to the Air Force Specialty Code (AFSC) 1C4X1, which is the core AFSC within a TACP element. Note: The USMC TACP consists of USMC personnel who support USMC units.

Overview of a USAF TACP
The USAF TACP, when operationally employed as an element of the Theater Air Control System (TACS), is subordinate to the Air Support Operations Center (ASOC), which in turn is subordinate to the Air Operations Center (AOC). The AOC is the senior TACS agency responsible for the centralized control and decentralized execution of airpower in support of the Joint Force Commander. To accomplish its mission, the TACP element has several different AFSCs. These AFSCs will vary depending on which Army echelon the TACP supports and they are identified in the USAF/USA Memorandum. The USAF/USA Memorandum requires the USAF to provide Air Liaison Officers, Battalion Air Liaison Officers, enlisted technicians (1C4X1s) skilled in planning, requesting, and managing airpower resources, and 1C4X1 Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs). JTACs are specially trained and certified airmen who provide terminal control of airpower, usually in the form of Close Air Support missions. In accordance with the USAF/USA Memorandum, the TACP also provides USAF Intelligence, Space, Electronic Warfare, Weather, and other liaisons to the Army. These liaisons serve as USAF subject-matter experts within their areas of expertise and assist in planning and integrating these functions with their aligned Army unit. All of these USAF liaison personnel are assigned to a USAF Air Support Operations Squadron. Operationally, liaisons serve within a TACP aligned with an Army Brigade Combat Team (BCT, division, or corps. 1C4X1s and Air Liaison Officers serve in TACPs at Army echelons from battalion through corps.

Overview of the 1C4X1 AFSC
After initial AFSC training, currently conducted at Hurlburt Field FL, followed by USAF Survival School at Fairchild AFB, WA, 1C4X1s will be assigned to an Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS), or possibly an Air Support Operations Center (ASOC). Regardless of assignment, all junior 1C4X1s will focus their efforts on completing their career development courses and obtaining the Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) qualification. 1C4X1s are expert communicators, navigators, and are knowledgeable of individual, crew-served, and Army artillery and Air Force weapons systems. Junior 1C4X1s are responsible for mastering the necessary "shoot, move, and communicate" skills needed for interoperability with their Army counterparts. Attaining and maintaining the JTAC qualification is the certification which allows the 1C4X1 to direct the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations. Obtaining the JTAC qualification is not unique to 1C4X1s. Other US Department of Defense (DoD) and international forces have JTAC-qualified personnel. However, the USAF 1C4X1 USAF TACP maintains the preponderance of JTACs in the US DoD. It is their dedication to the mastery of this skill that makes 1C4X1 JTACs a valuable asset to the Army.

Air Support Operations Squadrons
The Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) is a USAF squadron located on an Army installation, subordinate to an Air Support Operations Group in keeping with traditional USAF organizational practices. An ASOS is commanded by an Air Force LtCol. who also serves as the senior Air Liaison Officer. For the purpose of this Wiki, only the ASOS will be discussed. The ASOS mission is to support the host Army division and its subordinate brigade combat teams (BCTs). The BCT is the basic deployable unit in the US Army. ASOSs are located on nearly all major Army installations. Few 1C4X1s will ever be assigned to an Air Force base during their career. Instead, 1C4X1s will be assigned to various ASOSs on Army installations throughout the U.S and overseas during their careers. As an unstated prerequisite to a career as a 1C4X1, it is understood that 1C4X1s live, train and deploy with U.S. Army combat units worldwide under some of the most austere, demanding, and difficult conditions in often very austere envirinments. Additionally, there are numerous ASOSs within the Air National Guard which have actively participated in combat operations world-wide supporting the Global War on terror since 9/11.

When assigned to an ASOS, the mission of the 1C4X1 is to advise and assist Army ground commanders and fire support officers in planning, integrating, requesting, and employing airpower consistent with Joint, Army, and Air Force doctrine and tactics, techniques, and procedures. Because of their unique position in the USAF, which places enlisted airmen in positions of authority and responsibility normally placed on commissioned officers, 1C4X1s must be thoroughly proficient in their specialty and experts on airpower and joint operations. During an ASOS assignment, 1C4X1's must continually possess a high degree of self-motivation, enthusiasm and a willingness to operate often as the lone airmen in a joint team. Though challenging, an ASOS assignment has its rewards: 1C4X1s are uniquely afforded the opportunity to increase their knowledge, skills, and operator capabilities by attending Basic Airborne, Military Freefall, Air Assault, Pathfinder, and Ranger schools.

Air Support Operations Center
The Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) is an element of the Theater Air Control System (TACS) aligned with the senior Army maneuver unit in theater and directly subordinate to the Air Operations Center, which is the senior TACS agency in a theater. Organizationally, ASOCs are also Air Support Operations Squadrons and named as such, but organized and equipped as an ASOC. ASOCs are commanded by an Air Force LtCol. The ASOC manages allotted air resources and executes missions supporting its aligned Army units. 1C4X1s assigned to an ASOC fill a vital role by receiving air support requests from forward deployed JTACs. Once an air support request is received, the air support request is either approved or disapproved by the ground commander's land component chain of command. If approved, immediate requests to support urgent, troops-in-contact situations may result in strike aircraft being sent by the ASOC to the JTACs location for terminal control of immediate close air support. Approved, but non-urgent, air support requests submitted after the cut-off time for inclusion on the next Air Tasking Order will become scheduled missions on the subsequent Air Tasking Order. If an air support request is disapproved, the disapproved request should be sent back to the requesting unit with reasons for disapproval. It is important to understand that approval and disapproval authority of air support requests is the responsibility of the Army / Land Component being supported.

Air Liaison Officer
An Air Liaison Officer is a rated officer who is assigned to an ASOS or ASOC as the USAF airpower advocate, subject-matter expert, and advisor to his or her aligned Army staff. Recently, an Air Liaison Officer AFSC has been created to form a career force of Air Liaison Officers. Upon completion of initial qualification training, these non-rated officers are awarded the 13L AFSC. 13Ls attend the same 85 day training as the enlisted TACPs and must achieve the same academic standards, though the physical standards are not as rigorous for the 13L. The ALO represents the Joint/Combined Forces Air Component Commander as a member of the Army Commander’s special staff at the Battalion thru Corps echelons in a coalition, joint, or interagency force. He or she provides subject matter expertise to lead, plan, and manage Command-and-Control and terminal execution of Air, Space, and Cyber operations in direct support of land component forces. The ALO assists in developing fire support coordination plans to include Close Air Support (CAS), Air Interdiction (AI), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Electronic Warfare (EW), and Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD/DEAD). The ALO may engage enemy forces using advanced technologies and weapon systems to direct lethal and non-lethal fires and effects in close proximity to friendly forces as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC).

Air Liaison Officer training includes, but is not limited to:
 * ALO Qualification Course: The ALOQC will provide 13L ALOs advanced knowledge of mission planning and the Military Decision Making Process needed to function as an ALO.
 * Fire Support Coordinator Course: The Army FSCOORD course will be the 13L ALO’s introduction to how the Army’s Fire Support planning processes function. This knowledge will be critical to the ALO’s function of integrating airpower into the Army’s combat maneuver planning.
 * Joint Fires Observer Course: The JFO course will provide the 13L ALO with knowledge and skills of how the Army directs artillery fire

TACP Beret and History
In 1979, the black beret was authorized for wear by enlisted personnel in the Tactical Air Control Party. In 1984, two airman from Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina submitted the current flash and crest design. It was approved for all TACP airmen in 1985. Tactical Air Control Party specialists (AFSC 1C4X1) are currently the only United States military specialty allowed to wear the coveted black beret as part of their daily duty uniform wear. Air Liaison Officers (ALOs) are also authorized to wear the black beret after they graduate from the Joint Firepower Control Course, conducted at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Career ALOs (AFSC 13L) are also authorized to wear the beret when awarded the AFSC. While authorized, many rated (non-career) ALOs choose to not wear the black beret out of respect to the career ALOs (13Ls) and 1C4X1s, who have endured the rigorous training of the Tactical Air Control Party Apprentice Course.

TACP Flash and Crest Heraldry
The US Air Force ordinary holds the position of honor at the top of the crest. It is supported by the erect wings which symbolize the combat ready United States Air Force and the Theater Air Control System. At the bottom of the wings rests the TACP ordinary, representing the most forward element of the Theater Air Control System. The sword symbolizes the strength and firepower controlled by the TACP, while the lighting bolt represents a modern day standard for communications, the backbone of the TACP. The eight point omnidirectional star symbolizes the worldwide mobility commitment of the TACP, as well as his ability to navigate over all terrain. The scarlet boarder of the cloth flash symbolizes the immense firepower that can be brought to bear when Air Force and Army assets are combined. The red dovetail divider symbolizes the strong interlocking relationship between the Army, the field of green, and the Air Force, the field of blue, created by the liaison functions of the TACP.

Special Operations Force TACP
The US Special Operations Command was established in 1987 at MacDill AFB, FL. One MSgt. 1C4X1 (then AFSC 275X0) was assigned to the command as a liaison, but the position was disestablished in approximately 1991. In 1997, two MSgt. JTAC-qualified 1C4X1s assigned to the 17th ASOS at Ft. Benning, GA were selected for assignment to two of Air Force Special Operations Command's Special Tactics Squadrons. Since then, the 17th ASOS, which provides JTACs and ALOs to the 75th Ranger Regiment and its three line battalions, has transferred from Air Combat Command to Air Force Special Operations Command and in July 2013 was renamed 17th Special Tactics Squadron. JTAC-qualified 1C4X1s at the "5" or "Craftsman" skill level may apply for a Special Tactics assignment within Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). After a rigorous selection process and rigorous training program, AFSOC 1C4X1 JTACs provide terminal attack control and fire support expertise for the three Ranger Battalions, the 75th Ranger Regiment's Reconnaissance Company, all seven Army Special Forces Groups, multiple Naval Special Warfare Groups (SEAL Teams), and all four active duty CONUS Special Tactics Squadrons.

1C4X1 Initial Qualification Training
After graduating Basic Military Training, all non-prior service enlisted 1C4X1 candidates remain at Lackland AFB, TX to attend a five-day 1C4X1 indoctrination course. Those candidates who successfully complete indoctrination attend the 85-day 1C4X1 3-level (Apprentice) initial qualification training course at Hurlburt Field, Florida. Those who successfully complete the initial training course are awarded the "3" or "apprentice" skill level and then attend the USAF Survival School at Fairchild AFB, WA. During the previous five years, the attrition rate of the 1C4X1 3-level course has been approximately 50%, which is consistent with the historical attrition rate. This relatively high rate is primarily attributed to the constant physical demands students face throughout the entire length of the course, with the difficulty level increasing until graduation. The relentless physical combined with a challenging academic curriculum and the constant focus on attention to detail. After completing initial training and arriving at the first duty station, training continues with the goal of obtaining Combat Mission Readiness. After one year of maintaining Combat Mission Ready (CMR) status and possessing the "5" or " craftsman" skill level, 1C4X1s are eligible to attend the Joint Terminal Attack Controller qualification course at Nellis AFB, or if stationed in Germany or Italy, the USAFE Air-Ground Operations School. Course attendance is based on training NCO and commander recommendation and is not guaranteed.

TACP Preparatory Course
All Non-prior service enlisted 1C4X1 candidates will attend a 5-day indoctrination course at Lackland AFB immediately following basic military training. The course educates candidates on the 1C4X1 career field and also identifies candidates unsuitable for the 1C4X1 AFSC. An entry-level Physical Abilities and Stamina Test (PAST) test and a 4-mile timed ruck march must be successfully completed to pass 1C4X1 Indoctrination and progress to the 1C4X1 Initial Qualification Course at Hurlburt Field.

13L Air Liaison Officer candidates must successfully complete a 5-day assessment and selection course held at different locations throughout the year. This rigorous course is designed to assess and select the best candidates for entry into ALO training.

Initial Training
Basic career knowledge and associated publications.
 * Block I Basic Career Knowledge (5 Days)

Portable radio familiarization and training.
 * Block II Portable Communications Equipment (20 Days)

Vehicle-mounted radio communications familiarization and training.
 * Block III Communications Pallet (11 Days)

Field training exercise, Day and night land navigation, vehicle navigation, convoy training, and small unit tactics. Also, including training in bivouac setup, site selection, patrolling methods, and day and night navigation on foot and in a vehicle.
 * Block IV Ground Environment Training (20 Days)

Methods and means of requesting close air support, weapons effects and utilization, and other coordination procedures.
 * Block V Air Support Coordination/Weapons Systems (5 Days)

Field training exercise, including close air support planning and execution.
 * Block VI Close Air Support Procedures (12 Days)

Advanced Training
This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas using minimal equipment. This includes instruction of principles, procedures, equipment and techniques that help individuals to survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments, and return with honor. Students learn the basic parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line airdrop. This course includes ground operations week, tower week, and "jump week" when participants make five parachute jumps. Personnel who complete this training are awarded the basic parachutist rating and are allowed to wear the Parachutist Badge.
 * United States Air Force Combat Survival School —3 weeks, Fairchild AFB, Washington
 * United States Army Airborne School** – Basic Parachutist Course—3 weeks, Fort Benning, Georgia

**Note: Some of these courses are unit dependent and not all students may be selected.

Optional Advanced Training

 * Military Freefall Parachutist Course - 5 weeks - Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.
 * Staticline Jumpmaster School - 3 weeks - Ft. Benning, Ga.
 * Military Freefall Jumpmaster School - 3 weeks - Yuma Proving Ground, Ariz.
 * United States Army Pathfinder School - 3 weeks - Ft. Benning, Ga.
 * United States Army Air Assault School - 2 weeks - Various Locations
 * United States Army Sniper School - 5 weeks - Ft. Benning, Ga.
 * United States Army Ranger School - 61 Days, Ft. Benning, Ga.
 * Combat Diver Qualification Course - 7 weeks - Key West, Fla.
 * Special Tactics Advanced Skills Course – 12 weeks, Hurlburt Field, Florida
 * United States Army Combat Medic Course - 8 weeks, Fort Sam Houston, Texas

Notable 1C4X1 JTACs
Silver Star Recipients
 * Achey, Stephen - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States at the Shahi Hot Valley, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, on 2 March 2002.
 * Brandenburg, Eric, JR. - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 17th Air Support Operations Squadron, 18th Air Support Operations Group, in support of elements of the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, during the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom in late March and early April 2003.
 * Case, Thomas - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 17th Air Support Operations Squadron, 18th Air Support Operations Group, in support of elements of the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, during the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom in late March and early April 2003.
 * Covel, Earl - For gallantry in action on 18 June to 19 June 2004 against an armed enemy, while serving as the Tactical Air Control Party from the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, for Detachment Alpha 575, Company A, 3d Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
 * Crosby, Travis - For gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States while serving with the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron, 18th Air Support Operations Group, in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, on 4 April 2005.
 * Keehan, Michael L., III - For gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States in the Republic of Iraq from 20 March 2003 to 5 April 2003. During this period, as the Battalion Air Liaison Officer, 15th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, Support 3d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division Mechanized of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
 * Lloyd, SEAN W - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 20th Air Support Operations Squadron in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan during February and March 2002.
 * Quesenberry, Jason - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 17th Air Support Operations Squadron, 18th Air Support Operations Group, in support of elements of the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, during the opening stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom in late March and early April 2003.
 * Shropshire, Michael - For gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed  enemy of the United States at Abu Sukhayr, Iraq, from 20 March 2003 to 25 March 2003. During this period, as the Enlisted Terminal Attack Controller, 15th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron, supporting 3d Squadron, 7th U.S. Cavalry, 3d Infantry Division Mechanized for Operation Iraqi Freedom.
 * Smith, Bradley - (Posthumously) - For gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States while serving with the 10th Air Support Operations Squadron, in action near Badvan village, Afghanistan, on 3 January 2010.
 * Stamey, Timothy A - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 18th Air Support Operations Group in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, during the period 8 November 2001 to 5 January 2002.
 * Vance, Kevin - For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving with the 17th Air Support Operations Squadron and while attached to the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan during Operation Anaconda on 4 March 2002.
 * Whalen, Kevin - For gallantry in connection with military operations against an armed enemy of the United States while serving with as a member of the Tactical Air Control Party, 116th Air Support Operations Squadron, in the Gayan Valley, Afghanistan, on 19 July 2003.