24th Special Tactics Squadron

24th Special Tactics Squadron
Staff Sgt. Jodi Martinez · Public domain · source
Unit name	24th Special Tactics Squadron
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Special Operations
Role	Special Tactics
Size	Squadron
Garrison	Hurlburt Field

24th Special Tactics Squadron is a United States Air Force special operations unit assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The squadron specializes in integrating air and ground operations through personnel trained in combat control, pararescue, special reconnaissance, and tactical air control party functions, supporting joint operations with units such as United States Special Operations Command, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, 75th Ranger Regiment, and United States Navy SEALs. Its activities have interfaced with operations and theaters including Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Global War on Terrorism, Operation Unified Assistance, and multinational exercises with NATO partners.

History

The squadron traces lineage through the evolution of Air Force special tactics units during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, emerging as a component to bridge airpower and special operations capabilities alongside organizations like Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Combat Command, and United States Air Forces Europe. During the post‑9/11 era the unit supported campaigns including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, coordinating close air support with elements from United States Marine Corps, British Army, and allied forces in NATO operations such as Operation Resolute Support. The squadron’s history reflects doctrinal shifts influenced by lessons from Battle of Tora Bora, Siege of Fallujah (2004), and counterinsurgency campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Mission and Role

The squadron’s mission centers on providing specialized air‑to‑ground integration to enable precision strike, personnel recovery, and battlefield reconnaissance in support of joint special operations, working in concert with units like Joint Special Operations Command, Special Operations Command Central, and theater commands such as United States Central Command and United States Africa Command. Tasks include terminal attack control, expeditionary airfield assessment, combat search and rescue with linkage to United States Air Force Pararescue, and collection of tactical intelligence supporting Special Reconnaissance missions. The unit frequently interoperates with aviation platforms including Lockheed AC-130, Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper, and F-22 Raptor during complex operations.

Organization and Structure

Organizationally the squadron is structured into flights aligned for combat control, pararescue, special reconnaissance, and tactical air control, coordinating with higher echelon commands such as 27th Special Operations Wing, 23rd Wing, and component staff in Air Force Special Operations Command. It embeds liaison elements with ground forces including 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, 1st Special Forces Group (United States), and naval units like SEAL Team Six for mission planning. Support also comes from logistics and medical units within installations such as Hurlburt Field and joint sites including Camp Bastion and Al Udeid Air Base.

Training and Selection

Personnel selection follows rigorous pipelines with preparatory phases tied to training institutions like United States Air Force Academy preparatory programs, airborne schools at Fort Benning, and specialized courses at Nellis Air Force Base, Duke Field, and Lackland Air Force Base. Candidates complete courses influenced by curriculum from Defense Language Institute and standards informed by joint schools such as Joint Special Operations University and the National Defense University. Training disciplines include jumpmaster qualifications, high‑altitude low‑opening (HALO) procedures used by Airborne School, advanced medical training comparable to Special Forces Medical Sergeant courses, and terminal attack control certification aligning with Joint Terminal Attack Controller standards.

Operations and Deployments

The squadron has deployed repeatedly to theaters including Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and regions in Africa and the Asia-Pacific to support counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and contingency operations like Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Odyssey Dawn. Its teams have coordinated evacuations, personnel recovery, and strike coordination with assets such as MQ-1 Predator, AH-64 Apache, KC-135 Stratotanker, and C-130 Hercules during multinational campaigns and disaster relief missions comparable to Operation Unified Response. Deployments frequently involved interoperability with coalition partners from United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and NATO members.

Equipment and Capabilities

Members operate with specialized equipment for mobility, communications, and survivability, integrating systems like secure radios interoperable with Link 16, precision navigation tools using Global Positioning System, and medical gear aligned with Combat Medic standards. Platforms supported include close air support aircraft such as A-10 Thunderbolt II and F-15E Strike Eagle, intelligence platforms like RQ-4 Global Hawk, and rotary wing assets including HH-60 Pave Hawk. Personnel employ breaching tools, advanced optics, night‑vision devices from manufacturers used by Special Operations Forces, and airborne delivery systems compatible with joint airdrop procedures administered by Air Mobility Command.

Honors and Notable Personnel

The squadron and its members have received recognition from Air Force awards and joint commendations associated with campaigns including Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal actions and unit citations comparable to Meritorious Unit Award standards. Notable personnel have included enlisted and officer leaders who later held positions within Air Force Special Operations Command, Joint Special Operations Command, and senior staff at Pentagon offices; several members have been profiled in media coverage alongside figures from United States Special Operations Command and congressional oversight hearings. The unit’s legacy is reflected in contributions to doctrinal publications and lessons incorporated into training at institutions such as Air Force Special Operations School and Joint Special Operations University.

Category:United States Air Force special tactics squadrons