US Air Force Special Tactics Operators

Overview of Special Tactics Operators

• Special Tactics Operators are the most deadly and decorated ground force in the Air Force
• They are involved in global access precision strike, personnel recovery, and battlefield surgery
• AFSCs (Air Force Specialty Codes) include special tactics officers, combat controllers, special reconnaissance, and para rescue

Selection Process

• Initial assessment selection is a 1-4 week process that tests candidate's physical, mental, and emotional endurance
• Candidates are pushed to their limits to assess their drive, grit, and willingness to thrive in a stressful environment
• The assessment includes a PT test, running, swimming, and calisthenics

PT Test

• The PT test is a 3-mile run, 1,500-meter swim, and a series of pushups and pull-ups
• Candidates are required to perform these exercises without stopping

Calisthenics

• Calisthenics exercises are designed to test a candidate's grit and ability to respond to stress
• Exercises include push-up pull-up reverse pyramid, flooded mask flutter kicks, and other simulations of combat stress

Ruck March

• After completing the PT test and calisthenics, candidates participate in a ruck march with a 50-100 pound backpack
• The objective is to simulate the stress of carrying heavy equipment during a mission

Beach Session

• The beach session is a final test of endurance and mental toughness
• Candidates are required to perform a series of exercises on the beach, simulating a combat scenario

Human Performance Training Center

• The Human Performance Training Center is a facility that supports special tactics operators in their training and recovery
• The center provides medical providers, physical therapists, chaplains, and psychologists to support the operators' total body wellness

Recovery and Support

• The recovery team provides support to operators during their training cycle and deployment

• This includes physical therapy, medical treatment, and mental health support to ensure operators are healthy and ready for combat### Special Operations Training

• The training involves a simulated mission to experience firsthand what special operators do downrange

• The mission includes a ground assault force, driving vehicles to a designated location, and patrolling to a hostage village on foot

• The goal is to set containment on the east and northern sides of the village

Sam's Experience

• Sam is given a taste of what it's like to be a special tactics member
• He is part of the alpha element on the east side of the village
• Sam engages in a firefight, gets hit multiple times, and is dragged across the compound with gunshot wounds
• He is treated by a medic who applies tourniquets, chest seals, and performs a blood sweep to stabilize him

Special Operations Surgical Team (SOS)

• SOS is a six-person team responsible for damage control resuscitation (DCR) and damage control surgery (DCS)
• The goal is to close the gap of the golden hour of trauma, which is the theory that within an hour of traumatic injury, you have about 60 minutes to reach a higher level of care to increase the likelihood of surviving
• SOS provides hospital-level care, including surgery on the ground and critical care evacuation in the sky

Training and Qualifications

• To become a special tactics operator, candidates go through a two-year training pipeline
• The training includes pre-dive training, initial skills training, combat control school, military free fall, airborne, and survival school
• Candidates culminate at special tactics training squadrons where they receive top-off training to prepare for deployments

Aircraft and Global Access

• The Air Force HC-130J aircraft can take off in virtually any environment and can be used to carry operators who conduct military free fall
• Operators can jump out of the aircraft to reach anywhere they need to go across the world

Special Tactics Operators

• The most deadly and decorated ground force in the Air Force
• Involved in global access precision strike, personnel recovery, and battlefield surgery
• AFSCs include special tactics officers, combat controllers, special reconnaissance, and para rescue

Selection Process

• Initial assessment selection is a 1-4 week process that tests candidate's physical, mental, and emotional endurance
• Candidates are pushed to their limits to assess their drive, grit, and willingness to thrive in a stressful environment
• The assessment includes a PT test, running, swimming, and calisthenics

PT Test

• A 3-mile run, 1,500-meter swim, and a series of pushups and pull-ups
• Candidates must perform these exercises without stopping

Calisthenics

• Exercises designed to test a candidate's grit and ability to respond to stress
• Includes push-up pull-up reverse pyramid, flooded mask flutter kicks, and other simulations of combat stress
• Simulates the stress of carrying heavy equipment during a mission

Ruck March

• A 50-100 pound backpack is carried during the ruck march
• Aim is to simulate the stress of carrying heavy equipment during a mission

Beach Session

• A final test of endurance and mental toughness
• Candidates perform a series of exercises on the beach, simulating a combat scenario

Human Performance Training Center

• A facility that supports special tactics operators in their training and recovery
• Provides medical providers, physical therapists, chaplains, and psychologists to support the operators' total body wellness

Recovery and Support

• The recovery team provides support to operators during their training cycle and deployment
• Includes physical therapy, medical treatment, and mental health support to ensure operators are healthy and ready for combat

Special Operations Training

• Involves a simulated mission to experience firsthand what special operators do downrange
• Mission includes a ground assault force, driving vehicles to a designated location, and patrolling to a hostage village on foot
• Goal is to set containment on the east and northern sides of the village

Sam's Experience

• Simulates a special tactics member's experience
• Involves a firefight, getting hit multiple times, and being dragged across the compound with gunshot wounds
• Treated by a medic who applies tourniquets, chest seals, and performs a blood sweep to stabilize him

Special Operations Surgical Team (SOS)

• A six-person team responsible for damage control resuscitation (DCR) and damage control surgery (DCS)
• Goal is to close the gap of the golden hour of trauma, which is the theory that within an hour of traumatic injury, you have about 60 minutes to reach a higher level of care to increase the likelihood of surviving
• Provides hospital-level care, including surgery on the ground and critical care evacuation in the sky

Training and Qualifications

• To become a special tactics operator, candidates go through a two-year training pipeline
• Training includes pre-dive training, initial skills training, combat control school, military free fall, airborne, and survival school
• Candidates culminate at special tactics training squadrons where they receive top-off training to prepare for deployments

Aircraft and Global Access

• The Air Force HC-130J aircraft can take off in virtually any environment and can be used to carry operators who conduct military free fall
• Operators can jump out of the aircraft to reach anywhere they need to go across the world

Learn about the roles, responsibilities, and selection process of Special Tactics Operators in the US Air Force, including their involvement in global access precision strike, personnel recovery, and battlefield surgery.