TACTICAL AIR CONTROL PARTY

Tactical Air Control Party members are close air support experts, advising ground commanders on the use of Air Force assets in combat. TACPs serve as forward air controllers, winning battles by guiding weapons onto target.
TACPs live, train, and deploy with US Army units. When deployed, the TACPs live under austere field conditions, and are responsible for the coordination, de-confliction, and execution of all USAF attack aircraft. During peacetime, training is the major focus. This training can take the form of common skills testing, weapons qualifications, chemical warfare and combat first aid training. At various times throughout the year, Army field training exercises are conducted to evaluate combat readiness.
Because TACPs are required to perform extremely demanding missions, physical training and fitness is paramount. As a TACP, you can expect to perform intense PT daily. Depending on which unit you join, your daily activities may include vehicle maintenance, radio inspections, parachute jumps, and general preparation for missions. You will also participate in training events as necessary.
As a TACP, you’ll have the opportunity to travel anywhere the US has a military presence to support Army counterparts in the anti-terror, counter-drug, remains recovery, and many other types of missions.
The TACP mission is to advise US Army combat commanders on the use of Air Force air power, such as a fighter aircraft attacking targets adjacent to friendly troops. This is Close Air Support and is a very important part of the TACP mission. TACP guides fighters throughout missions and ensure accuracy. This unique mission requires operating on the battlefield. TACPs communicate with other tactical air and ground units by use of state-of-the-art radios, while mirroring the maneuver capabilities of our Army counterparts.