Air Force Promotes Its Special Squads
By J.S. Newton, Staff Writer
In recent years, the Air Force has faced challenges in marketing its special operations careers to potential recruits. While Air Force special operators enjoyed a brief spotlight in last year’s movie Air Force One, popular culture continues to focus primarily on the Army’s Delta Force and Special Forces, as well as the Navy SEALs, leaving the Air Force’s pararescue teams and combat controllers in the shadows.
Tactics Night
The Air Force took steps last week to raise awareness about its elite units by showcasing its high-tech equipment during a Cape Fear Crocs baseball game. The message was clear: the Air Force offers exciting and adventurous careers, too.
Senior Airman Ed Priest, a 26-year-old combat controller, emphasized the variety and thrill of his job.
“I like the flexibility of being able to do a different thing every day,” Priest said. “Sometimes I go in and ride the (motor) bikes. Another day, you come in and don’t have much to do, so you go grab a chute and find an aircraft.”
Priest, sporting the scarlet beret of a combat controller, described how his role involves directing airplanes and paratroopers to drop zones. Often working behind enemy lines, combat controllers play a crucial role in guiding aircraft safely to their destinations.
Elite Training and Tools
Pararescuemen, who wear maroon berets, complement combat controllers by specializing in rescue missions and providing medical aid in challenging environments. These roles remain male-only due to Department of Defense policies prohibiting women from combat positions. The rigorous training required for these careers underscores their demanding nature.
The equipment on display captivated attendees. From black motorcycles with engines ranging from 50 to 500 cubic centimeters, to a lightweight version that can be carried by hand, the gear demonstrated versatility. Pararescue teams also showcased a black field vehicle equipped with a Porsche engine, designed for mass casualty rescues.
Other high-tech tools included night vision goggles, Global Positioning Systems, and James Bond-like underwater air canisters disguised as hair spray bottles. Re-breathing devices, which prevent bubble detection underwater, highlighted the unit’s emphasis on stealth operations.
Despite the impressive gear, Air Force operators stressed that the equipment is simply a means to accomplish tough missions.
“When it’s good, it’s real good,” said Priest. “When it’s not, it’s really not.”
Misconceptions and Realities
Tech. Sgt. Michael Fox, a 34-year-old combat controller, shared insights into the realities of special operations. With missions spanning over a dozen countries, Fox debunked Hollywood myths about the job.
“People have misconceptions about these jobs,” Fox said. “Like you strap on a chute and jump in with your six-shooter. You think of a guy in a loin cloth with a bandolier of ammunition. You don’t have to be a muscle head to do this job.”
He emphasized the importance of teamwork and dedication, highlighting the demanding nature of their work.
A Call to Action
By showcasing their advanced equipment and sharing personal stories, Air Force special operators hope to attract adventurous and dedicated individuals to their ranks. With an emphasis on hard work, versatility, and teamwork, these elite units continue to stand ready for high-stakes missions around the globe.
As the Air Force pushes to raise awareness, events like Tactics Night serve as reminders that their special operations teams deserve recognition alongside their more widely-known counterparts.
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