STT Unit Profile

[SR-25]

SPECIAL TACTICS TEAMS (STTs)

STTs are quick-reaction, deployable Air Force units, which are uniquely organized, trained, and equipped to facilitate the air/ground interface during joint special operations and sensitive recovery missions. The STTs are comprised of combat controllers, pararescue, and support personnel.



Mission

The special tactics mission is to provide the Joint Special Operations Air Component Commander (JSOACC) with quick-reaction command and control positive air traffic management, and casualty recovery, treatment and evacuation staging during joint air and ground/maritime operations including short notice, sensitive contingencies. Special tactics teams operate in a ground role with joint or combined special operations task forces.



Deployment

ST teams can be deployed by airlift, sea-lift or overland means. Airlift is the preferred method of deployment and is critical for time sensitive operations.

· One C-130 can deploy a single ST team and its associated equipment.

· Deployment can be worldwide to a main base or forward operating location. Teams will

require host support at the deployed location.

· For deployment purposes, there are two basic special tactics team types; the tactical team and the recovery team. The tactical team consists of eighteen personnel while the recovery team contains nine. Once deployed, exact team composition and equipment can be tailored by the team leader to meet specific employment mission requirements.



Employment

ST teams may be employed tactically directly from their home station into the area of operations.

ST forces can be employed as stand-alone units or combined with other special operations forces

into a joint team. ST teams may be employed using a variety of tactical methods including:

· Static line or military freefall parachute

· Scuba, small boat or amphibious means

· Overland using mounted or dismounted techniques

· Airland via fixed or rotary wing aircraft

· Airmobile procedures including, rope, ladder or STABO



A ST team is the basic tactical element for special tactics forces. The tactical team may be employed complete or broken into as many as six smaller elements. A special tactics recovery team is normally employed for specialized missions such as CSAR or personnel recovery. The recovery team may be employed complete or broken down into as many as three elements.



Specific Employment

ST teams can be deployed in support of the full range of special operations missions and collateral activities to include direct action, foreign internal defense, combat search and rescue, personnel/equipment recovery, humanitarian assistance, and civil affairs.



Mission Tasks

· Provide terminal guidance and air traffic control for assault zones (AZ). An AZ may be an established airfield, landing strip or unimproved site. The team can:

¾ Establish ground-to-air communications.

¾ Coordinate AZ activities with the ground force commander.

¾ Perform weather observations. Provide positive control of personnel and equipment within the airhead area to include control of Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARRP) operations.

· Select, evaluate, survey and establish AZs. The special tactics team can:

¾ Clear, mark and operate the AZ

¾ Establish enroute and terminal navigation aids and beacons

¾ Conduct reconnaissance and surveillance missions

¾ Support selected regional survey team (RST) missions

¾ Remove obstacles to flight for follow-on operations

· Provide medical care, recovery and evacuation. The special tactics team can:

¾ Provide combat emergency medical and trauma care

¾ Operate specialized personnel locator systems

¾ Operate combat medical evacuation vehicles

¾ Conduct recovery security team operations

¾ Conduct casualty transload and evacuation operations

¾ Conduct sensitive recovery operations

· Conduct, coordinate, and plan fire support operations. The special tactics team can:

¾ Control CAS aircraft

¾ Control naval gunfire

¾ Spot for artillery fire

¾ Operate laser targeting equipment

· Conduct mobile training team operations. The team can provide training to allied or indigenous personnel in:

¾ Assault zone, communications, and other special operations

¾ Combat medical and related casualty treatment procedures

¾ Other special tactics/operations related procedures

¾ Conduct other special operations missions as directed



Basic Planning Considerations

· ST teams deploy with the minimum equipment and supplies needed to complete a mission. They are normally equipped to operate for up to 72 hours without resupply. Infiltrations or operations in excess of 72 hours will require resupply of consumables including additional equipment, batteries, fuel, water, and rations.

· Operations in excess of 72 hours or multiple special tactics taskings are considered sustained operations and a special tactics operation's center (STOC) must be deployed along with the employing tactical team(s). The STOC contains the additional command and planning staff and maintenance/logistics functions needed to support employed team(s). The STOC should be deployed to the nearest available staging or operations base with access to the tactical team's area of operations.

· Mission effectiveness is highly dependent upon accurate, complete, real-time intelligence. ST planners must have access to all intelligence sources.

· The time required for ST teams to prepare for a mission varies with the complexity and length of the mission. As a rule of thumb, a tactical team requires a minimum of 12 hours to provide adequate pre-mission rest, conduct final planning, brief team members and ready equipment. Any preliminary mission planning or preparation time must be added to this 12-hour figure.