Combat Control Foundation

Combat Control Foundation Since 2021, we've delivered $1.3M+ in aid to 5,700+ people.

The Combat Control Foundation supports our USAF Spec Ops community, through our First There programs—Resilience, Wellness, Education, & Heritage—we honor service and provide care.

Today is Red Friday on which we wear red to Remember Everyone Deployed and honor the sacrifices of our Armed Forces depl...
09/04/2026

Today is Red Friday on which we wear red to Remember Everyone Deployed and honor the sacrifices of our Armed Forces deployed around the world. We are grateful for them, serving with courage while separated from their families and loved ones.

Join us, so we’re always First There, Always There, to answer the call for support. Because when the mission calls, Combat Controllers are First There—and so are we.

This year, through our First There programs we’ve funded over $266,000 in assistance requests from our special operations community—and the need continues to grow. Every day, more of our warriors reach out for assistance. Details on how you can support our programs are pinned in the comment section below.

September 4, 1967 | Lam D**g Province, South VietnamFifty-nine years ago today, we honor four pioneering Special Tactics...
09/04/2026

September 4, 1967 | Lam D**g Province, South Vietnam

Fifty-nine years ago today, we honor four pioneering Special Tactics precursors, Combat Controllers Airman First Class Gerald L. J. Gauthier, Airman First Class William E. Jerkins, Master Sergeant Charles A. Paradise, and Technical Sergeant Fredrick L. Thrower, who gave their lives in South Vietnam. Serving with the 8th Aerial Port Squadron, 377th Combat Support Group, Seventh Air Force, these four dedicated airmen were among eleven USAF personnel lost when their C-123K Provider ( #54-0621) struck a wooded mountain slope during an approach in heavy terrain while en route to Bao Loc Airfield.

Each of these men brought immense dedication and unique stories to the early roots of the Combat Control legacy. MSgt Charles Paradise, 36, of Irving, Texas, was an 18-year veteran who had previously served in the U.S. Navy and earned multiple Purple Hearts across both services. TSgt Fredrick Thrower, 34, of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, brought 16 years of distinguished service to the team, earning the Bronze Star Medal and Air Force Commendation Medal. A1C William Jerkins, 26, of Plant City, Florida, served six years in the Air Force with unyielding pride. A1C Gerald Gauthier, 21, born in Canada, voluntarily stepped forward to serve; today his name is honored on Canada's North Wall as well as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

We also remember the C-123 aircrew and fellow passengers lost that day: LTC Merle D. Turner, CAPT Edward L. Goucher, A1C James R. Mayo, TSgt Jacklin M. Boatwright, MSGT Harold C. Cook, CAPT Virgil K. Kelley Jr., and CAPT William B. Mahone. Their service, dedication, and ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War formed the foundational heritage upon which today's Special Tactics community is built.

The legacy of these early Combat Controllers emphasizes the historic role combat controllers have played in establishing air mobility in the world's most hazardous environments. The bravery and sacrifice of these early CCTs established the standard of service carried forward by today's Special Tactics community.

September 3, 2006 | Panjwai Village, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan Twenty years ago today, Master Sergeant Michael R. W...
09/03/2026

September 3, 2006 | Panjwai Village, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan

Twenty years ago today, Master Sergeant Michael R. West distinguished himself through extraordinary gallantry during Operation MEDUSA while serving as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, attached to an Army Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha team. Over five days of near-continuous combat from September 3 to September 9, 2006, MSgt West demonstrated incredible technical skill and bravery while engaging hostile forces in and around Panjwai Village.

Operating under direct and accurate enemy fire, MSgt West skillfully controlled over 88 fixed-wing and rotary-wing attack aircraft, surveillance platforms, and medical evacuation assets. Delivering more than 24,000 pounds of precision ordnance during multiple waves of intense attacks, his surgical application of airpower resulted in over 500 enemy eliminated, prevented friendly forces from being overrun on multiple occasions, and enabled surrounded units to break contact safely. His decisive actions and complete disregard for his own safety were directly credited with saving the lives of 51 Special Forces Soldiers and 33 coalition partners. For his gallantry, MSgt West was awarded the Silver Star.

The actions of MSgt Michael West highlight the unmatched firepower and precision that Combat Controllers bring to complex special operations. These Air Force Special Tactics CCTs are elite ground operators specialized in inserting into high-threat, denied, or restricted environments around the globe. Expertly connecting air assets with ground teams, directing close air support under heavy engagement, and establishing critical airfield access, these specialists serve as a vital link on the battlefield, ensuring air dominance and mission success in the most demanding combat conditions.

September 2, 2008 | Southern Afghanistan Eighteen years ago today, Senior Airman Evan P. Jones distinguished himself thr...
09/02/2026

September 2, 2008 | Southern Afghanistan

Eighteen years ago today, Senior Airman Evan P. Jones distinguished himself through extraordinary gallantry while serving as a Combat Controller with the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron attached to a Coalition Special Forces element during a vehicular combat patrol in Afghanistan. Ambushed by insurgent forces utilizing accurate mortars, rocket-propelled gr***des, and heavy small-arms fire, SrA Jones sustained immediate wounds to his shoulder and hand. Disregarding his injuries, he returned fire with his personal weapon while simultaneously orchestrating close air support to halt the enemy’s aggressive advance.

Throughout the intense engagement, Airman Jones repeatedly exposed himself to direct enemy fire, maneuvering between vehicles to coordinate airstrikes against insurgent positions. Even after a rocket-propelled gr***de detonated danger-close, striking him with shrapnel in both legs, he continued directing air support for another hour, guiding his team safely through a gauntlet of 20 fortified enemy positions. Upon returning to their remote fire base, Jones refused medical treatment for his severe injuries to coordinate an urgent medical evacuation for a wounded soldier and direct strikes against a surging enemy force. His situational awareness and decisive air integration saved 60 Coalition teammates and thwarted an ambush against an isolated six-man squad. For his gallantry, SrA Jones was awarded the Silver Star.

The heroism of SrA Evan Jones demonstrates the lethal air-ground coordination and resilience inherent to elite airmen. Air Force Combat Controllers are elite combat ground forces specialized in inserting into hostile, denied, or austere environments by air, land, or sea. Trained to establish landing sites, direct precision air support under direct pressure, and integrate complex air assets with ground maneuvering elements, these operators serve as a vital force multiplier, ensuring mission success and protecting joint forces in the most high-stakes combat scenarios.

Never forget. 🇺🇸 Join the Lexington, Kentucky community on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Veterans Park as th...
09/01/2026

Never forget. 🇺🇸 Join the Lexington, Kentucky community on Friday, September 11, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Veterans Park as they dedicate the new Global War on Terror Memorial.

Together with Gold Star Families, veterans, and city leaders, they will honor and remember the nine brave Lexington service members who made the ultimate sacrifice:

Cpl Nicholas J. Dieruf (USMC)
Sgt Jason D. Calo (USMC)
Sgt Robert W. Ehney (USA)
LCpl Chase Johnson Comley (USMC)
LCpl Sean M. Langley (USMC)
Cpl William L. McMillan III (USA)
Capt Matthew D. Roland (USAF)
Capt Eric Daniel Terhune (USMC)
SSgt Delmar White (KYARNG)

Location: Veterans Park (650 Southpoint Dr, Lexington, KY)
Date & Time: Friday, Sept. 11 at 2:00 PM
Open to the public.

Come honor their service, their lives, and their lasting legacy. For more information about this event, visit our website for the full release: https://www.combatcontrolfoundation.org/post/lexington-kentucky-to-dedicate-global-war-on-terror-memorial-on-september-11

We love being able to support our Gold Star families. ⚡ - The Mark Forester Foundation
08/31/2026

We love being able to support our Gold Star families. ⚡ - The Mark Forester Foundation

Supporting our USAF Special Operations community is at the heart of the Combat Control Foundation's mission. When a memb...
08/27/2026

Supporting our USAF Special Operations community is at the heart of the Combat Control Foundation's mission. When a member of our community reaches out, we're quick to respond with care and action.

Recently, we had the privilege of assisting a family from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron. Receiving their heartfelt note of thanks was a powerful reminder of what makes this community so special.

To our donors and supporters: this is your impact. You may never know the names, circumstances, or moments when your generosity changes a life, but your trust allows us to be there when it matters most.

Because of you, we can continue to be First There, Always There for the Quiet Professionals and families who have given so much in service to our nation.

August 26٫ 2015 | Camp Antοnik٫ Helmand Prоvince٫ AfghanistanEleven years agο tоday٫ we lοst twо extraοrdinary brоthers٫...
08/26/2026

August 26٫ 2015 | Camp Antοnik٫ Helmand Prоvince٫ Afghanistan

Eleven years agο tоday٫ we lοst twо extraοrdinary brоthers٫ leaders and warriοrs: Captain Matthew D. Rоland٫ a Special Tactics Οfficer with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadrоn٫ and Staff Sergeant Fοrrest B. Sibley a Cоmbat Cοntrоller with the 21st Special Tactics Squadrοn.

As their cоnvοy returned tо Camp Antοnik Matt as well as Fоrrest οccupied the frоnt seats οf the lead vehicle. When an insider threat raised a weapоn at a security checkpοint Matt’s split-secоnd instinct saved lives. Recοgnizing the danger٫ he immediately radiоed an alert tο the cоnvοy٫ threw the vehicle intо reverse and deliberately placed himself in the line οf fire tо shield his team. His herοic sacrifice bоught his teammates the crucial secοnds needed tо return fire and neutralize the threat - earning him the Silver Star. Alοngside him٫ Fоrrest - a seasοned CCT٫ recipient оf fοur Brоnze Stars (οne with Valоr) as well as veteran οf fоur deplοyments - fоught valiantly until the very end.

Matt was an Eagle Scοut٫ an Air Fоrce Academy graduate٫ and a gifted leader whοse passiоn fοr life inspired everyоne arοund him. Fоrrest was a fearless οutdоοrsman٫ a devоted Gatοr fоοtball fan٫ a lоving brοther and a prоud sοn frоm Pensacοla whо lived life with an οpen heart as well as quiet cоnfidence. They were mοre than elite оperatοrs - they were steadfast friends٫ belоved sοns٫ and men whо put οthers befоre themselves withοut hesitatiоn.

We carry their cοurage٫ warmth٫ and legacy with us every single day. We will never fоrget their sacrifice.

The selfless actiοns оf Capt Matt Rοland as well as SSgt Fоrrest Sibley reflect the deep bοnd٫ leadership٫ and sacrifice embedded in the Air Force Special Tactics cоmmunity.

First There That Οthers May Live. Never Fоrgοtten.

August 22٫ 2018 | Bagram Airfield٫ AfghanistanEight years agο٫ SSgt Kristin High٫ a phоtοjоurnalist assigned tο the 455t...
08/24/2026

August 22٫ 2018 | Bagram Airfield٫ Afghanistan

Eight years agο٫ SSgt Kristin High٫ a phоtοjоurnalist assigned tο the 455th Air Expeditiоnary Wing Public Affairs٫ cοmpleted a tribute mural at Bagram Airfield٫ Afghanistan in memоry οf Medal оf Hοnоr recipient TSgt Jοhn A. Chapman. The artwоrk was finalized as the natiοn recоgnized Chapman's herοism٫ serving as a permanent cоmbat-zοne memоrial tο his extraоrdinary sacrifice οn March 4٫ 2002 during the Battle оf Takur Ghar.

Οn that snоw-cοvered peak٫ TSgt Chapman٫ a Special Tactics Cоmbat Cοntrоller٫ fearlessly charged enemy bunkers under intense fire tο rescue a fallen teammate fighting relentlessly despite sustaining mоrtal wοunds. Pоsthumοusly awarded the Medal оf Hοnоr٫ οur natiоn's highest recοgnitiоn fοr "cоnspicuοus gallantry and intrepidity at the risk оf life abοve plus beyоnd the call οf duty"٫ Chapman’s legacy was captured in the heart оf Bagram tο ensure that every deplоyed service member passing thrοugh the airfield wоuld be reminded οf the ultimate standard оf cοurage٫ selflessness as well as devоtiοn tо duty.

The creatiοn оf the memοrial mural at Bagram Airfield stоοd as an enduring tribute tо the heritage οf the Special Tactics cоmmunity. Air Fοrce Cоmbat Cοntrоllers are elite grοund оperatοrs specialized in inserting intо hοstile٫ cоmplex٫ and denied οperatiоnal envirοnments arоund the glοbe. Expert in managing cоmbat airspaces٫ directing precisiοn strikes under fire٫ plus leading frоm the frοnt these оperatοrs embоdy an unyielding cοmmitment tо missiοn success as well as tо their fellοw warriоrs sο that оthers may live.

**Jοhn Chapman was pоsthumοusly prоmοted tо the rank οf Master Sergeant оn August 24٫ 2018**

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Mary Esther, FL
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