21st Special Tactics Squadron

The 21st Special Tactics Squadron is one of the special tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command. It is garrisoned at Pope Field, North Carolina.[3]

21st Special Tactics Squadron
A squadron combat controller supporting a cargo and personnel airdrop during an exercise
Active1984–1993; 1996–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleSpecial Operations
Part of Air Force Special Operations Command
United States Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQPope Field
Motto(s)First There (1988-1993)
EngagementsPersian Gulf War
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Gallant Unit Citation
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt. Col. Jeffrey T. Falcon[1]
Insignia
21st Special Tactics Squadron emblem (approved 18 March 1999)[2]
1721st Combat Control Squadron emblem (approved c. April 1988)

Mission

Special Tactics Squadrons are organized, trained and equipped specifically for various special operations missions facilitating air operations on the battlefield. They conduct combat search and rescue missions, collect intelligence, as well as call in close air support or airstrikes against enemy combatants and are often partnered with other U.S. special operations forces overseas.[3]

Lineage
  • Designated as the 1721st Combat Control Squadron and activated on 1 July 1984
Redesignated 624th Combat Control Squadron on 1 June 1992
Inactivated 1 October 1993
  • Redesignated 21st Special Tactics Squadron on 1 May 1996 and activated[2]

Assignments

Stations
  • Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina , 1 July 1984 – 1 October 1993
  • Pope Air Force Base (later Pope Field), 1 May 1996 – present[2]

Awards and campaigns
Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device20 December 1989 - 9 January 19901721st Combat Control Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device1 September 2001 - 31 August 200321st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
Gallant Unit Citation1 January 2006 - 31 December 200721st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award1 July 2006 – 31 May 200821st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1985 - 30 June 19871721st Combat Control Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 August 1995 - 31 July 199721st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 August 1997 - 31 July 199921st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 October 2012 - 30 September 201421st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
Defense of Saudi Arabia2 August 1990 – 16 January 19911721st Combat Control Squadron[2]
Liberation and Defense of Kuwait17 January 1991 – 11 April 19911721st Combat Control Squadron[2]
Consolidation II1 November 2006 – 30 November 200621st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
Consolidation III1 December 2006 – 30 June 201121st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
Iraqi Sovereignty1 January 2009 – 31 August 201021st Special Tactics Squadron[2]
New Dawn1 September 2010 – 31 December 201121st Special Tactics Squadron[2]

Notable members
Rhyner on patrol with an Army Special Forces team in Afghanistan.
  • Senior Airman Zachary Rhyner, a Combat Controller, was the first living recipient of the Air Force Cross in the Global War on Terror. He was awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions during the Battle of Shok Valley on 6 April 2008 in Nuristan Province, Afghanistan.[4] According to the citation, during the battle he directed Close air support and Airstrikes totalling 4,570 cannon rounds, nine Hellfire missiles, 162 rockets, a dozen 500-pound bombs and one 2,000-pound bomb.[5] As a result of the same battle ten U.S. Army soldiers, nine Special Forces and one Combat Cameraman, received the Silver Star.[6]
  • September 20, 2011 21st Special Tactics Squadron Combat Controller Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez received the Air Force Cross for extraordinary heroism. On October 5, 2009 Gutierrez was embedded in a joint US/Afghan National Army Special Forces 30 man unit as the only qualified joint terminal attack controller on a mission in Afghanistan when the unit came under intense enemy fire. Despite being shot, Gutierrez called in three danger close air strikes on the enemy.[7]
  • Senior Airman Dustin Temple, a Combat Controller, received the Air Force Cross for his actions during a 48-hour battle September 27–29, 2014 against Taliban forces in the Kajaki district of Helmand province. He was attached to U.S. Army Special Forces team from the 7th Special Forces Group with two other 21st STS members and accompanied by Afghan commandos. Temple called in dozens of airstrikes from various aircraft, among them, F-16s, AH-1s, AC-130s and an MQ-1. Over the course of the battle he controlled 28 helicopters and 20 fixed wing aircraft in a total of 26 engagements. After 45 hours of fighting a resupply helicopter dropped critically needed ammunition to the U.S. and Afghan forces. Temple and two other teammates braved enemy fire across open terrain multiple times to recover the ammunition. The Army team-leader Captain Evan Lacenski carried a critically wounded Green Beret over 300 meters in open terrain to the MEDEVAC helicopter. He was credited with saving 80 lives as a result of his actions. Along with Temple receiving the Air Force Cross, the other two 21 STS members received the Silver Star for their actions during the battle.[8][9][10]

References

Media related to 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Wikimedia Commons

Notes
  1. "Jeffrey T. Falcone". Team Pope. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  2. Dollman, David (18 October 2016). "21 Special Tactics Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  3. "720th Special Tactics Group". Air Force Special Operations Command. 17 August 2011. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
  4. "Valor awards for Zachary J. Rhyner". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  5. Lyle, Amaani (11 March 2009). "Combat controller receives Air Force Cross, Purple Heart". Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs Office. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  6. Cavallaro, Gina (15 December 2008). "Valor of combat cameraman earns him Silver Star". Army Times. Archived from the original on 2012-07-21. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  7. "Air Force Cross recipient: 3 minutes to change the world". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  8. "Valor awards for Dustin H. Temple". Military Times Hall of Valor. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  9. Lamothe, Dan (5 May 2015). "These U.S. airmen refused to be taken hostage in Afghanistan. Now they'll get valor awards". Washington Post. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  10. Everstine, Brian (11 May 2015). "The heroics behind combat controller's Air Force Cross, Silver Stars". Air Force Times. Retrieved 24 September 2017.

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

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