24th Special Tactics Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 24th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the Special Tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
the 24th STS is among the premier Special Tactics Squadrons in the Air Force.
This is supported by the fact that the Air Force Special Tactics operators assigned to Task Forces under command of the JSOC (Task Force Ranger, such as Task Force 121
, Task Force 6-26
and Task Force 145) were always from the 24th STS and never from any other STS. Conversely, 24th STS personnel have not participated in 720th Special Tactics Group operations; for example, Combat Controllers
assigned to Special Forces
"A-Teams" during the Afghanistan invasion
belonged only to 21st, 22nd and 23rd STS.
The squadron lost three members in the 2011 U.S. special forces helicopter shootdown.
Disposition
Based at Pope Air Force BasePope Air Force Base
Pope Field is a United States Army facility located 12 miles northwest of the central business district of Fayetteville, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States.-Units:...
the 24th STS is among the premier Special Tactics Squadrons in the Air Force.
This is supported by the fact that the Air Force Special Tactics operators assigned to Task Forces under command of the JSOC (Task Force Ranger, such as Task Force 121
Task Force 121
Task Force 121 is an example of the United States' 'Joint Task Force' concept of conducting special operations. TF121 is a multi-service force commanded by U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Gregory L. Trebon. The spearhead of the force is a forty-man team made up of operators from the U.S. Army's...
, Task Force 6-26
Task Force 6-26
Task Force 6–26 is a United States Joint military/Government Agency unit; originally set-up to find "High Value Targets" in Iraq in the aftermath of Operation Iraqi Freedom. This Special Operation unit is very similar to Task Force 121 which was created to capture Saddam Hussein and high rank...
and Task Force 145) were always from the 24th STS and never from any other STS. Conversely, 24th STS personnel have not participated in 720th Special Tactics Group operations; for example, Combat Controllers
Combat Control Team
United States Air Force Combat Controllers are ground combat forces specialized in a traditional pathfinder role while having a heavy emphasis on simultaneous air traffic control, fire support and command, control, and communications in covert or austere environments...
assigned to Special Forces
United States Army Special Forces
The United States Army Special Forces, also known as the Green Berets because of their distinctive service headgear, are a special operations force tasked with six primary missions: unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense, special reconnaissance, direct action, hostage rescue, and...
"A-Teams" during the Afghanistan invasion
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
belonged only to 21st, 22nd and 23rd STS.
Combat operations
In recent years the squadron has been heavily involved in combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.The squadron lost three members in the 2011 U.S. special forces helicopter shootdown.