During Vietnam army air traffic controllers were sometimes 'sliced' to support Pathfinder teams during large operations that would involve large numbers of aircraft, mainly all types of helicopters and an occasional fixed wing aircraft. I didn't mind the support tasking after my time; the Pathfinders took good care of me and I learned a lot outside of my mos. We really didn't have much in the way of special equipment (a small prc-10 fm radio and if it was going to be a big thing, a portable non-directional beacon, but we didn't favor that because it required a small generator to power it-too noisy). I won't say it was a great time, but it was better than being a remf!
So TACP = JTAC air support for conventional forces (and some special operations forces) and CCT = JTAC air support and air traffic control for special operations forces
If you wanna be in the Air Force, but be pretty much constantly doing predominantly grunt work with the Army, go TACP. If you wanna be in the Air Force, and do cool Special Operations stuff, CCT all the way. If you wanna be in the Air Force, and be the guy that goes in to save aircrew shot down, or trapped behind enemy lines, go Pararescue.
@@Ambross_Fyshing Ohhh ok, wow. I’m getting old. haha Some things have to change with the times I guess. I’ve never even worn these new uniforms they’ve had since 08/09.
Thank you so much for presenting this hopefully you can get further into the Combat Controller special forces (I know I am using the incorrect names and titles). I have read about some of the special forces that were so key in different battles or conflicts and the level of intelligence they have to possess! Yes as he stated having to think in a 3D manner in the heat of battle is pretty much an elite space that most could only wish to hold and how that level of training has after their careers in the military helped them to find their way to satisfying careers. Sometimes they just don't translate well and that should be spoken about also so someone entering into the military on a not-just-military but educational slanted reason (if that is even possible). I hope this makes sense and that you really continue your diversity over different positions within our military. Something that I thought might be interesting but might be a huge undertaking is some of what our opposing (unfriendly) nations special forces currently are training to what levels they are training to etc..
One of the most critical, over looked jobs in Vietnam were the FACs, AKA: Forward Air Controller. The best description/descriptions I can give is "First In Last Out". At times flying no more then 50 to 100ft off the deck. There were jets used by some FACs, as well as prop planes like the OV-10 Bronco, purpose built for the FAC role. The majority flew Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, (Cessna 170), and Cessna U-17 Skywagon, (Cessna 180) and it's replacement the O-2 Skymaster. Military versions of Cessna 150s and 170s respectively. It goes without saying the Cessna military variants were not made to carry armor or offensive weapons. They carried white phosphorus rockets for target marking and the pilot carried a sidearm. I have read that some would carry a mix of WP, HE and Flechette rounds. More people should know about men like Pilot Col. George "Bud" Day (pilot), Maj. Jerry Sellers (pilot) and Capt. Richard Budka (observer). As they deserve to be remembered along with better know pilots like Robin Olds. This includes their current iterations whether on the ground or in the air.
Ret USAF TACP JTAC Instructor, good job. Who did you support? I was 1st Cav, 2nd ID Korea, 10 Mt and 5th Group. Know as JJ in in the TACP community. Also COP retired Patrol Sgt and SWAT team leader
Can you do a video about airforce special reconnaissance in comparison to other recon units from the other services? The recon world is confusing as hell 😅
I used to be able to talk to some SOWT guys before separation, and the change to SR. So sorry if things have changed a bit. But they are just, and not in a bad way, another recon unit at the disposal of the area commander. They are one of the few if not the only combat trained weather guys, but they have been doing target interception, electronic warfare, UAVs, radio, and other recon skills. Its just that they are with the USAF. As far as I remember atleast. (edit) Actually, Ones Ready has a great few videos about it, seeing how the host was/is a SOWT/SR guy.
In civil aviation the FAA wants to get from 10k tracks per sector to over a million tracks per sector to account for drone deliveries. The Anduril Lattice would be the closest thing for the military.
Im trying to get an idea of the future of both careers. It seems without a major war going on that the TACP career will be more selective on their candidates. It seems like a CCT can pretty much be a TACP but since they are strictly SOF TACP for the most part fills the infantry role. I'm not entirely sure why TACP would be needed in SOF with exception that it would relieve a duty from CCT (assuming that most/all CCT get JTAC qualified)? If thats the case, I could forsee the TACP careerfield to adopt a new role at some point to keep the career relevant. Otherwise why not just eliminate TACP or combine TACP and CCT into one career and have the entry level CCT embed with infantry like TACP does and then have a chance to move into SOF later. It seems to be a bit of a mess to have both TACP and CCT since the CCT can do both but is exclusively reserved for SOF. Or just have TACP be the sole career that can be JTAC certified to keep their career relevant.
I was honestly shocked at the different pace of being a ST TACP compared to my first three deployments with conventional units. Of course, the USAF would drop combat dive from the pipeline after I had left.
During Vietnam army air traffic controllers were sometimes 'sliced' to support Pathfinder teams during large operations that would involve large numbers of aircraft, mainly all types of helicopters and an occasional fixed wing aircraft. I didn't mind the support tasking after my time; the Pathfinders took good care of me and I learned a lot outside of my mos. We really didn't have much in the way of special equipment (a small prc-10 fm radio and if it was going to be a big thing, a portable non-directional beacon, but we didn't favor that because it required a small generator to power it-too noisy). I won't say it was a great time, but it was better than being a remf!
Let me simplify. TACP and Combat Controller are career fields. JTAC is a qualification.
Yes, but tacps do joint terminal control as their primary job.
So TACP = JTAC air support for conventional forces (and some special operations forces)
and CCT = JTAC air support and air traffic control for special operations forces
If you wanna be in the Air Force, but be pretty much constantly doing predominantly grunt work with the Army, go TACP.
If you wanna be in the Air Force, and do cool Special Operations stuff, CCT all the way.
If you wanna be in the Air Force, and be the guy that goes in to save aircrew shot down, or trapped behind enemy lines, go Pararescue.
Let's not forget about Air Force Special Reconnaissance.
@@JohnWick-hb3ft I've been out a while, never even heard of them.
Is that a new AFSC, or an old one that just splintered?
I believe its a fairly new AFSC.@@Chuck8541
@@Chuck8541 they’re the replacement/evolution of swoe or whatever the meteorological sof guys were called.
@@Ambross_Fyshing Ohhh ok, wow. I’m getting old. haha Some things have to change with the times I guess.
I’ve never even worn these new uniforms they’ve had since 08/09.
These new segments are great, keep bringing us more!
Love the new format, great content
Thank you so much for presenting this hopefully you can get further into the Combat Controller special forces (I know I am using the incorrect names and titles).
I have read about some of the special forces that were so key in different battles or conflicts and the level of intelligence they have to possess!
Yes as he stated having to think in a 3D manner in the heat of battle is pretty much an elite space that most could only wish to hold and how that level of training has after their careers in the military helped them to find their way to satisfying careers.
Sometimes they just don't translate well and that should be spoken about also so someone entering into the military on a not-just-military but educational slanted reason (if that is even possible).
I hope this makes sense and that you really continue your diversity over different positions within our military.
Something that I thought might be interesting but might be a huge undertaking is some of what our opposing (unfriendly) nations special forces currently are training to what levels they are training to etc..
Love seeing crossover with other RUclipsrs and military “personalities” (or whatever you would call it) Dan is a super funny dude
One of the most critical, over looked jobs in Vietnam were the FACs, AKA: Forward Air Controller. The best description/descriptions I can give is "First In Last Out". At times flying no more then 50 to 100ft off the deck. There were jets used by some FACs, as well as prop planes like the OV-10 Bronco, purpose built for the FAC role. The majority flew Cessna O-1 Bird Dog, (Cessna 170), and Cessna U-17 Skywagon, (Cessna 180) and it's replacement the O-2 Skymaster. Military versions of Cessna 150s and 170s respectively. It goes without saying the Cessna military variants were not made to carry armor or offensive weapons. They carried white phosphorus rockets for target marking and the pilot carried a sidearm. I have read that some would carry a mix of WP, HE and Flechette rounds. More people should know about men like Pilot Col. George "Bud" Day (pilot), Maj. Jerry Sellers (pilot) and Capt. Richard Budka (observer). As they deserve to be remembered along with better know pilots like Robin Olds.
This includes their current iterations whether on the ground or in the air.
Glad to see these lesser known careers getting some love here. Some of the most minimally manned jobs maybe just ahead if aerial gunner.
Nice introduction and clearly explained.
Ret USAF TACP JTAC Instructor, good job. Who did you support? I was 1st Cav, 2nd ID Korea, 10 Mt and 5th Group. Know as JJ in in the TACP community. Also COP retired Patrol Sgt and SWAT team leader
148th and 146th ASOSs. 2007 to 2016. 2011 deployment was with 10th Mountain 2-87, southern Afghanistan.
Thank you sir !
Can you do a video about airforce special reconnaissance in comparison to other recon units from the other services? The recon world is confusing as hell 😅
I used to be able to talk to some SOWT guys before separation, and the change to SR. So sorry if things have changed a bit. But they are just, and not in a bad way, another recon unit at the disposal of the area commander. They are one of the few if not the only combat trained weather guys, but they have been doing target interception, electronic warfare, UAVs, radio, and other recon skills. Its just that they are with the USAF. As far as I remember atleast.
(edit) Actually, Ones Ready has a great few videos about it, seeing how the host was/is a SOWT/SR guy.
I'm someone that has never been in the military and all I can say is that was clear as mud.
Gun goes bang, right?
David Goggins was a TACP. That's why it kills me when he says he was nothing before SEAL training. TACPs are embedded with Special Operations units.
This video almost seems like it was made by reading the comments I exchanged with a guy recently. We went over this exact same stuff...
Interesting!
One might wonder if the proliferation of UAVs will change any of those roles.
In civil aviation the FAA wants to get from 10k tracks per sector to over a million tracks per sector to account for drone deliveries. The Anduril Lattice would be the closest thing for the military.
Im trying to get an idea of the future of both careers. It seems without a major war going on that the TACP career will be more selective on their candidates. It seems like a CCT can pretty much be a TACP but since they are strictly SOF TACP for the most part fills the infantry role.
I'm not entirely sure why TACP would be needed in SOF with exception that it would relieve a duty from CCT (assuming that most/all CCT get JTAC qualified)?
If thats the case, I could forsee the TACP careerfield to adopt a new role at some point to keep the career relevant. Otherwise why not just eliminate TACP or combine TACP and CCT into one career and have the entry level CCT embed with infantry like TACP does and then have a chance to move into SOF later. It seems to be a bit of a mess to have both TACP and CCT since the CCT can do both but is exclusively reserved for SOF.
Or just have TACP be the sole career that can be JTAC certified to keep their career relevant.
I was honestly shocked at the different pace of being a ST TACP compared to my first three deployments with conventional units. Of course, the USAF would drop combat dive from the pipeline after I had left.
You basically summed it up.
Our TACP was always worth MORE than his weight in GOLD, PLATINUM and SIVLER tripled...he saved many lives!!!
just fyi, music way too loud at end
Nice.
The hell did you do with Alex?
How will drones change the way these guys do their jobs not having to be up close can you call in air support
First. And this is so true!!!
TACP = Prevent Fratricide
Where the duck is Alex?
This is a ridiculously underwhelming description of both careerfields and largely ignores the realities.
huh 3rd