Duties and Responsibilities:

Conducts reconnaissance and surveillance of potential assault zones and target areas. Plans, coordinates, and conducts operations using advanced technologies to support reconnaissance and target identification. Records and submits Terminal Instrument Procedures (TERPS) data and site surveys of assault zones (drop, landing, forward area refueling points (FARP) and other areas critical to aviation. Evaluates and relays status of airfields and assault zones to inbound aircraft and higher headquarters. Provides limited weather observations, including surface and altitude wind data, temperature, and cloud heights. Reports current battlefield information.

Plans, organizes, supervises, and establishes air traffic control (ATC) in the target area. Initiates, coordinates, and issues ATC clearances, holding instructions, and advisories to maintain aircraft separation and promote safe, orderly, and expedi tious flow of traffic under visual or non-radar flight rules. Operates and monitors portable and mobile communications equipment and terminal and en route navigation aids required to control and support air traffic in forward areas. Prepares and issues advisories to pilots, ATC and other agencies concerning weather, notice-to-airmen information, air traffic flow control measures, and wake turbulence. Provides flight assistance and emergency service to air traffic. Records weather and ATC data. Controls vehicular traffic on the airport movement.

Identifies, assesses, and marks assault zones with visual and electronic navigation aids for day and night air-land and airdrop operations. Coordinates clearances, instructions, advisories, and air traffic movement with forward and rear area commanders. Uses ground-to-air communications equipment and visual and electronic systems to control and expedite the movement of en route, arriving, and departing air traffic. Directs actions to handle aircraft emergencies or mishaps. Coordi nates with medical personnel on casualty and patient staging points. Provides airlift operations support that cannot be pro vided by combat communications groups or other agencies. Operates Global Positioning Systems (GPS) equipment to navi gate for infiltration or exfilitration and locate assault zones. Coordinates airfield ground support (crash/fire/rescue, sweep). Maintains qualification on primary assigned weapons.

Conducts fire support operations. Plans, coordinates, and conducts fire support operations to include close air support (CAS) and supporting arms. Employs visual and electronic navigation and marking equipment to direct aviation assets to target. Issues weapons release clearance.

Deploys into forward areas and forward operating locations by land (mounted, special purpose vehicle or dismounted), sea (surface or subsurface naval vessel, small watercraft, SCUBA, or surface swim) or air (parachute, airmobile, air-land) to participate in the full spectrum of military operations to include air expeditionary force (AEF), force projection, direct action (DA), counterrorism (CT), counterproliferation (CP), foreign internal defense (FID), humanitarian assistance (HA), special reconnaissance (SR), personnel recovery (PR), non-combatant evacuation operations (NEO), integrated survey program (ISP), counter drug (CD) and fire support operations. Uses demolitions to remove obstacles affecting safe air traffic flow in the target area.

Specialty Qualifications:

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of: ATC and combat control principles and procedures; aircraft flight characteristics; encompassing tactical airlift and weapons delivery; air and surface firepower systems and effects; International Civil Aviation Organization, Federal Aviation Administration, and military air regulations; map, aeronautical chart, and publication use; characteristics and use of tactical and ATC communications systems and equipment, air navigation aids, night vision equipment GPS, and other operational equipment; meteorology principles; deployment procedures; joint service operation; infiltration techniques; movement and route selection; alternate insertion and extraction systems (AIES), parachute procedures and equipment; jump master training and small unit tactics; amphibious and scuba operations; and small arms and destructive demolition applications.

Education. For entry into this specialty, completion of high school is desirable.

Training. The Combat Controller "Pipeline" Training is 35 weeks, consisting of the following courses, which are conducted at various locations:

• Air Force Combat Controller Orientation Course
• Combat Control Operator Fundementals
• Combat Control Tower Training
• Jump School (U.S. Army Airborne School)
• U.S. Air Force Basic Survival School
• Combat Control Apprentice Course
• U.S. Navy Underwater Egress Training
• Advanced Skills Training (AST)
• U.S. Army Combat Divers School
• U.S. Army Military Free Fall Parachutist Course 

1C251. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C231. Also, experience in reconnaissance, terminal control and combat enabling tasks.

1C271. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 1C251. Also, experience performing or supervising duties involving reconnaissance, terminal control enabling tasks.

1C291. in and possession of AFSC 1C271. Also, experience managing operations involving reconnaissance, terminal control, and combat control enabling tasks.

Other.The following are mandatory as indicated:

For entry into this specialty, Successful completion of the Combat Control Team (CCT) PAST test.

For entry, award, and retention of AFSCs 1C211/31/51/71, physical qualification for air traffic controller duty, marine diving duty, and parachute duty.

For award and retention of AFSCs 1C231/51/71/91/00:

Qualification as a static line and military freefall parachutist and as a scuba diver.

Physical qualification and maintenance of personal physical standards as defined in Special Tactics Standards and Evaluation, and AFSOCI 36-2204 Special Tactics Training

Eligibility for a Secret security clearance. Personnel Security Program Management.