Combat Control Foundation

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Combat controller master sergeant John Chapman’s teammates unveiled his new plaque on the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial. fox5sandiego.com/news/local-new…

@ParamedicVet Thanks for reposting

Combat Control Foundation · On 2 May, Serbian ground fire downed an Air Force F-16CG, call sign “Hammer-34,” near the border with Bosnia–Herzegovina. The CSAR A force of three helicopters—two Pave Lows and a Pave Hawk—launched from Tuzla AB as soon as the downed pilot was located and authenticated and a threat assessment accomplished. Hammer’s shoot down occurred four hours later into the night than Vega’s, which gave the CSAR force less time to work. A daylight rescue in many parts of Serbia was too risky to undertake. Unlike the first mission, in this case the rescue force came under surface-to-air missile fire as it crossed the Serbian border. Each helicopter crew managed to evade no less than three missiles while inbound to the objective area. Also unlike the Vega mission, on 2 May the night was beautiful, clear, with no clouds and a full moon. This increased the threat because the Serbs fully expected a rescue attempt, and they enjoyed better visibility of the CSAR force. The helicopters encountered large caliber antiaircraft artillery but evaded it by jinking and terrain masking maneuvers. Despite hearing radio traffic suggesting that CSAR A hold and await close air support escort, mission commander Colonel Laushine, aboard the MH-53M piloted by Capt Kent A. Landreth, pushed forward to the objective area in order to take advantage of the precious hours of darkness. Once in the area, the rescue helicopters linked up with the A-10 and a flight mate of the downed flier, another F-16CG who assumed the OSC role. Using the call sign “Hammer–33” (rather than the traditional “Sandy”), the downed pilot’s flight mate assisted by vectoring CSAR A to the survivor’s position. Two miles from his location, Capt William F. Denehan, Jr., the MH-60G pilot, came under ground fire. The flight engineer, SSgt Richard D. Kelley, returned fire using the helicopter’s minigun. Immediately, the rescuers contacted the downed pilot and directed him to turn on his flashing beacon. Making one pass over the survivor, the Pave Hawk and MH-53M failed to obtain a visual on him. However, Denehan spotted the downed Airman and started inbound to make the pickup. He landed his Pave Hawk in a field near the survivor. The ST team of PJs Jeremy Hardy (team lead) and Ronald Ellis and combat controller Andrew Kubik jumped out to secure the pilot, inadvertently knocking out a case of bottled water in the process. Serbian soldiers nearby also spotted Hammer-34 and were closing in, the command historian later wrote. Herb Mason related that when the pilot “bolted from the nearby tree line,” Hardy, armed with an M-4 rifle, quickly authenticated him one last time. Using the case of bottled water as a convenient step, the ST team loaded Hammer-34 aboard the aircraft “and quickly piled on top of him to protect him from any incoming ground fire.” Twenty seconds after landing, with the ST men and their pilot aboard, Denehan took off to the sound of gunfire. Denehan’s Pave Hawk and Landreth’s MH-53M quickly rejoined the second Pave Low holding a mile away and began their egress. Changing their outbound route, CSAR A encountered minimal ground fire but required a jinking maneuver near the border to avoid an enemy position. The rescue team landed safely at Tuzla, with early twilight already beginning to appear. As in the rescue of Vega-31, the pickup helicopter pilot (Denehan) and the MH-53M pilot (Landreth) each earned the Silver Star; their crews received DFC’s. Mission commander Steve Laushine compared the two rescues and noted that overall the second CSAR “went a lot smoother than the first,” despite poor radio discipline. It was ironic that the Vega and Hammer pickup helicopters belonged to the 55th Special Operations Squadron, which was slated for inactivation later in the year. This deployment was their swan song. For rescuer and rescuee, there was at least one personal remembrance of the dramatic event in later years, as both men went on to greater responsibilities. In 2010 PJ Jeremy Hardy was promoted to chief master sergeant. The presiding official for the ceremony was Maj Gen David L. Goldfein, Hammer-34, Hardy’s rescued pilot. Six years later, General Goldfein became the Air Force chief of staff. Special Tactics Personnel, “Hammer-34” F-16 Rescue, 2-3 May 1999 MH-53M (Chalk Lead) - Robert W. Bean (PJ) - Isaiah Staley (PJ) - Ryan Stanhope (CCT) MH-53J (Chalk 2) - Darryl Cherry (PJ) - Juan Ridout (PJ) - Christian Begnal (CCT) MH-60G (Chalk 3) - Ronald Ellis (PJ) - Jeremy Hardy (PJ) - Andrew Kubik (CCT) The preceding information was taken from, Brothers in Berets: The Evolution of Air Force Special Tactics, 1953–2003 by Forrest L. Marion. Pages 326-329 ‘Hammer 34’ was David L. Goldfein, then a Lt Col and later became the 21st Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force.

The First Medal of Honor Ever Captured on Film

@Still_Mark_Rami @glycerin1981 @EchoesofWarYT They just finished filming in the 2nd week of February. Probably looking at a late 2026 or early 2027 release date. Here are some BTS details of the filming: budapestreporter.com/mountain-high-…

@glycerin1981 @EchoesofWarYT I’ve been hearing about this movie being made for awhile now. Got to meet Chapmans wife when my son graduated. Really hope they finally make this movie.

@John92322738412 @EchoesofWarYT They wrapped filming 2nd week of February. It is now in the post-production phase. Probably a late 2026 or early 2027 release.

@EchoesofWarYT I believe they are making this into a movie and it’s in production. Read the great book about his incredible bravery.Those Air Force Combat Controllers work with Seals Rangers Green Berets.Air Force Bad Ass Special Forces.

01 FEB 1991, Combat Controller TSgt Jefferson D. Steagald was killed during training in North Carolina. He was also a member of the STARS (Special Tactics and Rescue Specialist) Jump team. #FirstThere #CombatControl #AlwaysRemembered memorial page: combatcontrolfoundation.org/remembering-ou…

Hurlburt Field, FL (January 31, 2003): Lt. Gen. Maxwell C. Bailey, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), presented the Purple Heart to a Combat Controller from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron.

D.C. (Jan 31, 1994): Following a ceremony at the Capitol, (back to front) Combat Controller Staff Sergeant Jeffery Bray, Pararescuemen MSgt Scott Fales, and Pararescuemen TSgt Timothy Wilkinson stood recognized for their extraordinary heroism during Operation Gothic Serpent.

California (Jan. 30, 2025): A Special Tactics Combat Controller from Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) established critical communication links with an MC-130J Commando II during Exercise Emerald Warrior 25.1. #FirstThere #SpecialTactics #CombatControl

California/Arizona (Jan. 30, 2025): Combat Controllers and other Special Tactics Airmen from the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) conducted joint-force transport and communication operations aboard MC-130J Commando II aircraft during Exercise Emerald Warrior 25.1.

Cannon Air Force Base, NM (January 30, 2015): Operators from the 26th Special Tactics Squadron conducted a "Monster Mash," an elite-tier operational endurance challenge designed to stress-test teamwork and warrior ethos through a battery of high-intensity physical evolutions.

#RememberEveryoneDeployed - #REDFriday Every Friday, we wear red to Remember Everyone Deployed (RED). This official Combat Control Foundation shirt allows you to show your support for our deployed military while making a tangible difference. zazzle.com/store/combat_c…

Last year we’ve received over $470,000 in assistance requests from our warriors—and the need continues to grow. Every day, more warriors reach out for assistance. 🔴 Become a monthly donor: combatcontrolfoundation.org/donate/

Today is #RedFriday on which we wear red to #RememberEveryoneDeployed and honor the sacrifices of our Armed Forces deployed around the world. We are grateful for them, serving with courage while separated from their families and loved ones.

In 2025, we established an initiative, Operation Buddy Check, to strengthen our community and check on our teammates. It is okay, to not be okay. No battle has to be fought alone. Check on your people. #FirstThere #CombatControl #BuddyCheck

Grayling Range, Michigan (January 29, 2020): U.S. Air Force Combat Controllers integrated with French Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) to direct simulated precision strikes from an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship during Exercise Emerald Warrior 20-1.

Afghanistan (2009): Capt. Garrett Ianacone, a Special Tactics Officer (STO) with the 320th Special Tactics Squadron was named Air Force Special Operations Command's Company Grade Officer of the Year for 2009.

Hill Air Force Base, Utah (January 28, 2020): Special Tactics Airmen conducted advanced weapons proficiency training as part of Exercise Emerald Warrior 20-1. #SpecialTactics #WeaponsTraining #FirstThere

Team, we need your help as we assist one of our CCT families. Retired Air Force #CombatController Brandon Merriman was recently involved in a serious accident in Texas and sustained critical life-threatening injuries. Share and donate here: givebutter.com/MerrimanFamily… #CombatControl