Special Tactics Officer

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Officer

Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Special Operations
Part of	Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
Motto(s)	First There... That Others May Live

A United States Air Force Special Tactics Officer (AFSC 13DXB) is a United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) officer who manages the training and equipping of U.S. Air Force ground special operations. Special Tactics Officers deploy as team leaders or mission commanders in combat, seizing and controlling airstrips, combat search and rescue, guiding airstrikes and fire support using air assets for special operations and tactical weather observations and forecasting. Special Tactics Officers are not pararescuemen or Combat Controllers, but they lead the Special Tactics Squadrons and Groups and thoroughly understand how to conduct, manage, and provide these special operations missions to both conventional and joint special operations missions needed within Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) and United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

Special Tactics Officers lead U.S. Air Force Pararescuemen, U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers and U.S. Air Force Special Operations Weather Technicians. They do not have their own training course, instead they go through the Combat Control training while Combat Rescue Officers attend Pararescue training. Many attain qualifications as Joint terminal attack controllers. Their 35-week initial training and unique mission skills earn them the right to wear the scarlet beret akin to Combat Controllers. From that point they attend a 12-15 month advanced skill training course.