720th Special Tactics Group


The 720th Special Tactics Group is one of the special operations ground components of the 24th Special Operations Wing, assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command of the United States Air Force. The group is headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The group is composed of geographically separated squadrons in four separate states; Florida, New Mexico, North Carolina and Washington.

Overview

The Group's Special Tactics Squadrons are made up of Special Tactics Officers, Combat Controllers, Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescuemen, Special Reconnaissance, Air Liaison Officers, Tactical Air Control Party personnel, and a number of combat support airmen which comprise 58 Air Force specialties.
Special Tactics Squadrons are organized, trained and equipped specifically for various special operations missions facilitating air operations on the battlefield. They conduct combat search and rescue missions, perform battlefield surgery, collect intelligence, as well as call in close air support or airstrikes against enemy combatants and are often partnered with other U.S. special operations forces overseas.

Subordinate units

The 720th Special Tactics Group is assigned four special tactics squadrons and a support squadron.

Other missions

The 720th also serves as the functional manager for two special tactics squadrons stationed outside the United States, the 320th Special Tactics Squadron under the 353d Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and the 321st Special Tactics Squadron under the 352d Special Operations Wing at RAF Mildenhall, England.
There are two Air National Guard units that augments the 720th for training and deployments, the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, based at Standiford Field, and the Oregon Air National Guard's 125th Special Tactics Squadron, based at Portland International Airport.

History

Prior to May 2014, special operations weather technicians were assigned to the 10th Combat Weather Squadron. The decision was made to integrate these technicians with the other special operators serving in the special tactics squadrons and the squadron was inactivated upon their transfer.
Chief Master Sergeant Aaron deployed from the group's 22d Special Tactics Squadron to Kandahar Province Afghanistan, was awarded the Air Force Cross for his actions on 10 December 2013. CMSgt Aaron and two Army Special Forces teammates had become separated from the main friendly body of troops while infiltrating enemy territory. The three were trapped in a courtyard by intense enemy fire that wounded CMSgt Aaron's two companions. CMSgt Aaron sprinted from his position to the exposed position of the two wounded teammates to defend them. Aaron continued to fight the enemy alone until reinforcements arrived. Once they did, he dragged his teammates to a nearby position of concealment and administered life-saving trauma care.

Lineage

  • Designated as the 1720th Special Tactics Group and activated on 1 October 1987
  • Redesignated 720th Special Tactics Group on 31 March 1992.

Assignments

Components


  • 720th Operations Support Squadron: 29 November 2004 – present
  • Special Tactics Training Squadron, 1 June 2008 – 1 October 2008

Stations

Commanders

  • October 1987 – May 1991, Col. John T. Carney
  • May 1991 – 1995, Col. Robert W. Neumann
  • 1995 – 1997, Col. Craig F. Brotchie
  • 1997 – July 1999, Col. James L. Oeser
  • July 1999 – July 2001, Col. Jeffrey Buckmelter
  • July 2001 – July 2002, Col. Robert H. Holmes
  • July 2002 – July 2004, Col. Craig D. Rith
  • July 2004 – August 2006, Col. Kenneth F. Rodriguez
  • August 2006 – July 2008, Col. Marc F. Stratton
  • July 2008 – June 2010, Col. Bradley P. Thompson
  • June 2010 – June 2012, Col. Robert G. Armfield
  • June 2012 – July 2014, Col. Kurt Buller