Combat Control Foundation

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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...
10/09/2026

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 $416,400 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.

Vegas, here we come! Scan the QR Code for details! Please share our post!Join the Combat Control Foundation in Las Vegas...
10/08/2026

Vegas, here we come! Scan the QR Code for details! Please share our post!

Join the Combat Control Foundation in Las Vegas on November 12–13! Stop by our booth to say hi, meet the team, and check out our custom 2010 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Turbo (donated by Two Chin's Custom Turbo Bikes) before it hits the block on November 13.

All proceeds benefit the Combat Control Foundation as we are First There, Always There for our Air Force Combat Controllers, their families, Gold Star families and our USAF Special Operations community.

Can’t stay for the full auction or want to bid remotely? Make sure you register to bid ahead of time! You can bid live or use absentee bidding options: Online & Phone! Contact Mecum in advance to set up bidding.

Come see us, place your bid, and help us support our quiet professionals! 🇺🇸 ⚡

Register to bid & learn more about our mission - LINK IN THE COMMENTS.

Because of our incredible supporters and donors, we can be First There for our Combat Controller, ensuring every warrior...
10/08/2026

Because of our incredible supporters and donors, we can be First There for our Combat Controller, ensuring every warrior knows they are cared for, valued, and never walking alone. Thank you for standing with us.

⚡First There. Always There. ⚡

October 8, 2012 | Paktiya Province, Afghanistan Fourteen years ago today, Staff Sergeant Christopher Jones distinguished...
10/08/2026

October 8, 2012 | Paktiya Province, Afghanistan

Fourteen years ago today, Staff Sergeant Christopher Jones distinguished himself through heroic bravery while serving as the primary Joint Terminal Attack Controller attached to an Army Special Forces team in Paktiya Province.

During a tactical ground movement through high-threat territory, the lead vehicle of the convoy struck an improvised explosive device, triggering a violent, coordinated enemy ambush.

As heavy small-arms fire swept the convoy, SSgt Jones immediately returned fire with his personal weapon while simultaneously bringing overhead close air support assets to bear.

Recognizing that the command element at the front of the column was pinned down in the kill zone, Jones exited his vehicle without hesitation and maneuvered forward under a hail of bullets.

As he pressed toward the front line to aid his teammates, a loss of line-of-sight communications threatened his ability to direct aircraft.

With complete disregard for his own safety, Jones stepped out into an entirely exposed position to re-establish radio contact with the aircraft overhead.

From this vulnerable location under active fire, he successfully directed continuous aerial strikes, suppressing the insurgent assault and enabling friendly forces to break the ambush.

For his gallantry and courage under fire, SSgt Jones was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

The actions of SSgt Christopher Jones reflect the tactical skill, grit, and selfless dedication that define the Special Tactics community.

Air Force Combat Control Airmen are elite ground operators specialized in inserting into high-threat, denied environments across the globe.

Trained to establish critical air-to-ground links, direct precision close air support, and maneuver under direct fire, these operators serve as an essential force multiplier, protecting joint partners and securing mission success under the most intense combat conditions.

October 7, 2001 | Jacobabad, Pakistan Twenty-five years ago today, the United States initiated airstrikes against Taliba...
10/07/2026

October 7, 2001 | Jacobabad, Pakistan

Twenty-five years ago today, the United States initiated airstrikes against Taliban and Al-Qaeda targets inside Afghanistan, officially marking the beginning of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

As strategic bombing missions commenced downrange, Air Force Special Operations Command Combat Controllers were already on the ground at Jacobabad Air Base, securing initial access and establishing critical airfield operations under austere conditions.

Operating directly from the flight line control tower, Combat Control airmen worked relentlessly through the opening hours of the campaign to build air traffic management capabilities from scratch.

By day's end, the CCT elements successfully installed and calibrated the Tactical Air Navigation (TACAN) system, bringing instrument flight rules (IFR) operational for incoming joint combat aircraft.

Simultaneously, Combat Controllers across the region began integrating directly with special operations ground teams, serving as the essential air-ground link to pinpoint, identify, and direct precision strikes against key insurgent strongholds.

Their rapid deployment and technical expertise ensured that high-tempo combat sorties could launch, recover, and deliver decisive airpower from the very first moments of the war.

The opening operations at Jacobabad underscore the vital global access and airfield control capabilities provided by the Special Tactics community.

Air Force Combat Control Airmen are elite combat ground forces specialized in inserting into remote, high-risk, or bare-base environments to establish air traffic control, secure assault landing zones, and integrate precision airpower.

Operating as the tip of the spear, these specialists pave the way for joint force projection, keeping vital supply lines and combat air operations running anywhere in the world.

October 7, 1968 | Fort Bragg, North Carolina Fifty-eight years ago today, we pause to honor the memory of Staff Sergeant...
10/07/2026

October 7, 1968 | Fort Bragg, North Carolina

Fifty-eight years ago today, we pause to honor the memory of Staff Sergeant Rondal R. Lavall, a dedicated Air Force Combat Controller who lost his life in the line of duty during a training exercise at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

At 29 years old, SSgt Lavall was killed when his MRC-108 radio communications Jeep was involved in a fatal accident while supporting field operations.

Realistic and demanding training has always been the bedrock of the Combat Control community, ensuring operators are prepared for the extreme hazards of combat in any environment.

SSgt Lavall served with quiet professionalism, mastering the complex communications systems and air-to-ground tactics required to guide airpower into hostile territory.

His tragic loss served as a poignant reminder of the inherent dangers borne by Airmen who push the limits in training long before stepping onto the battlefield.

Today, we hold Staff Sergeant Lavall’s family, friends, and teammates in our hearts, ensuring his sacrifice and service remain an enduring part of our community's heritage.

The legacy of SSgt Rondal Lavall honors the sacrifice, dedication, and quiet devotion of the CCT community.

October 6, 2012 | Wardak Province, Afghanistan Fourteen years ago today, Staff Sergeant Matthew Matlock distinguished hi...
10/06/2026

October 6, 2012 | Wardak Province, Afghanistan

Fourteen years ago today, Staff Sergeant Matthew Matlock distinguished himself through heroic bravery while serving as a Special Tactics Combat Controller with the 125th Special Tactics Squadron, Oregon Air National Guard.

During a tactical patrol through the Arabon Valley in Wardak Province, Matlock’s element came under intense, sustained enemy fire, pinning down friendly forces.

Diving into a nearby irrigation ditch under a hail of bullets, SSgt Matlock immediately returned fire with his personal weapon while bringing overhead air assets to bear to suppress the enemy advance.

Crawling through the line of fire to gain a better vantage point, he discovered that two U.S. Special Forces soldiers, two Afghan partner force members, and his own team leader were all severely wounded.

With complete disregard for his personal safety, Matlock exposed himself to intense fire, running across open ground to reach his injured comrades.

He provided lifesaving medical aid, coordinated incoming medical evacuation helicopters, and directed close air support to cover the landing zone.

As the medevac aircraft touched down under active fire, Matlock personally carried a wounded teammate across open terrain to safety.

For his selflessness, tactical skill, and courage under fire, SSgt Matlock was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Valor.

The actions of SSgt Matthew Matlock reflect the exceptional battlefield airmanship and selfless devotion that define the Special Tactics community.

Air Force Combat Control Airmen are elite ground operators specialized in inserting into high-threat, denied environments across the globe.

Trained to establish critical air-to-ground links, direct close air support, and render vital combat casualty care under direct fire, these operators serve as an essential force multiplier, protecting joint partners and ensuring no teammate is left behind.

October 5, 2009 | Air Force Cross actions | Herat Province, AfghanistanSeventeen years ago today, Staff Sergeant Robert ...
10/05/2026

October 5, 2009 | Air Force Cross actions | Herat Province, Afghanistan

Seventeen years ago today, Staff Sergeant Robert Gutierrez, Jr. distinguished himself through extraordinary heroism as a Special Tactics Combat Controller assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron during a high-risk nighttime raid to capture a high-value regional Taliban leader.

Attached to an Army Special Forces element, SSgt Gutierrez and his team were ambushed by a numerically superior, well-entrenched enemy force.

During the opening minutes of the engagement, Gutierrez was shot in the chest, sustaining a collapsed lung and broken ribs, while his team leader was hit in the leg.

Trapped inside a building with no route of escape and enduring severe pain, Gutierrez refused to relinquish his radio or step back.

Realizing his team was on the verge of being overrun, he engaged enemy fighters with his r***e while coordinating close air support.

Over the radio, he directed three consecutive "danger close" A-10 strafing runs, placing 30-millimeter cannon fire against enemy positions just 30 feet away.

Between air strikes, a medic performed an emergency needle decompression on Gutierrez’s chest to re-inflate his collapsed lung, enabling him to remain conscious and continue controlling the strikes.

His extraordinary poise and lethal air integration over the four-hour battle neutralized the enemy force and allowed his ten-man element to escape the kill zone without further casualties.

For his gallantry and selflessness, SSgt Gutierrez was awarded the Air Force Cross.

The actions of SSgt Robert Gutierrez embody the absolute pinnacle of grit, tactical mastery, and fire integration that define the USAF Special Tactics community.

Air Force Combat Control Airmen are elite ground operators specialized in inserting into high-threat, denied environments to integrate complex precision airpower with special operations forces under direct fire.

Trained to manage chaotic airspaces and execute lethal close air support under extreme physical trauma, these operators serve as an indispensable force multiplier, securing mission victory and ensuring team survival against all odds.

October 5, 2001 | Khanabad Air Base (K2), Uzbekistan Twenty-five years ago today, a vital chapter in modern special oper...
10/05/2026

October 5, 2001 | Khanabad Air Base (K2), Uzbekistan

Twenty-five years ago today, a vital chapter in modern special operations history began as four C-17 Globemaster IIIs landed at Khanabad Air Base (K2) during the opening moves of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

Onboard were Air Force Special Operations Command personnel, including operators from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, alongside U.S. Army Special Forces teams from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, arriving to establish the initial staging area for the campaign in Afghanistan.

Immediately upon touching down on the dark, unmapped runway, 23rd STS Special Tactics Airmen went to work in bare-base conditions. They deployed a mobile microwave landing system and rapidly established round-the-clock air traffic control operations, seamlessly managing both visual and instrument flight rules (IFR) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Beyond taking immediate control of the airspace, these operators worked alongside joint partners to build the base operating support structure from the ground up, transforming a neglected airfield into the primary launchpad for special operations forces into Afghanistan.

Their rapid airfield setup and air traffic integration ensured that critical troops, supplies, and combat assets could flow continuously into the theater without delay.

The initial footprint established at K2 highlights the foundational mission capability and operational agility of the Special Tactics community.

Air Force Combat Control Airmen are elite combat operators specialized in infiltrating denied, remote, or austere environments to assess, secure, and open airfields under challenging conditions.

Expertly controlling complex airspaces, establishing assault zones, and building vital operational staging areas from scratch, these specialists serve as the tip of the spear, securing initial access and enabling joint force projection anywhere in the world.

October 3, 1993 | Mogadishu, Somalia | Battle of MogadishuThirty-three years ago today, Staff Sergeant Jeffrey W. Bray d...
10/03/2026

October 3, 1993 | Mogadishu, Somalia | Battle of Mogadishu

Thirty-three years ago today, Staff Sergeant Jeffrey W. Bray distinguished himself through extraordinary gallantry while serving as a Combat Controller assigned to the 24th Special Tactics Squadron during the Battle of Mogadishu.

Attached to an elite Army Special Operations element with Task Force Ranger, SSgt Bray was part of a raid near the Olympic Hotel that quickly escalated into an intense, 18-hour urban battle against overwhelming hostile forces.

When a U.S. UH-60 helicopter was shot down into the city, Bray repeatedly exposed himself to direct, heavy enemy fire to coordinate close air support from AH-1 Cobra and AH-6 Little Bird gunships.

Facing relentless attacks from concealed positions, he improvised an ingenious perimeter marking system using whatever materials were at hand to visually designate targets for overhead assets.

Throughout the night, Bray labored under constant fire to direct danger-close strikes—at times calling in ordnance less than 15 meters from his own position, to keep militia forces from overrunning the pinned-down element until a relief convoy could break through.

His tactical genius, surgical air integration, and complete disregard for his own safety were paramount in holding the perimeter, preventing catastrophic friendly casualties, and ensuring the eventual evacuation of all personnel.

For his gallantry, SSgt Bray was awarded the Silver Star.

The decisive actions of SSgt Jeffrey Bray showcase the lethal air-ground coordination, battlefield adaptability, and courage that define the Combat Control community.

Air Force Combat Control Airmen are elite ground operators specialized in inserting into high-threat, denied environments to direct precision airpower, control complex airspaces, and integrate air assets with special operations ground elements under direct fire.

In the narrow streets of Mogadishu and on battlefields around the globe, these operators serve as an indispensable force multiplier, ensuring team survival against overwhelming odds.

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PO Box 432
Mary Esther, FL
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