Training United States Air Force Combat Control Team

an air force combat controller wearing desert digital camouflage conducts patrol exercise during mout training.

the first course combat controller trainees attend after 8.5-week basic military training two-week-long combat control selection course @ lackland air force base, texas. selection course focuses on sports physiology, nutrition, basic exercises, combat control history , fundamentals.

the second course in cct pipeline combat control operator course located @ keesler air force base, mississippi. operator course 15.5 weeks long. operator course teaches aircraft recognition , performance, air navigation aids, weather, airport traffic control, flight assistance service, communication procedures, conventional approach control, radar procedures , air traffic rules.

after operator course trainee attends army airborne school @ fort benning, georgia. in three-week course trainees learn basic parachuting skills required infiltrate objective area static line airdrop.

the next course after airborne school air force basic survival school located @ fairchild air force base, washington. sere school lasts 3 weeks. course teaches techniques survival in remote areas. instruction includes principles, procedures, equipment , techniques enable individuals survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments, , return alive.

the last course in combat control pipeline combat control school located @ pope field, north carolina. cct school thirteen weeks long , provides final combat controller qualifications. training includes physical training, small unit tactics, land navigation, communications, assault zones, demolitions, fire support , field operations including parachuting. graduates of combat control school awarded 3-skill level (apprentice) on air force specialty code, scarlet beret , cct flash. benini heritage center fund raising effort supports education , training @ combat control school.

advanced training

after combat controller gains 3 level attend special tactics advanced skills training 12 15 months part of special tactics training squadron located @ hurlburt field, florida. advanced skills training program newly assigned combat controllers, pararescuemen , special operations weather technicians. ast produces mission-ready operators air force special operations command , united states special operations command. ast schedule broken down 4 phases: water, ground, employment , full mission profile. course tests trainee s personal limits through demanding mental , physical training.

during advanced skills training combat controllers (along pjs , sowt) attend 2 more advanced courses. army military free fall parachutist school @ fort bragg, north carolina, , yuma proving ground, arizona 5 weeks. course instructs free fall parachuting procedures. provides wind tunnel training, in-air instruction focusing on student stability, aerial maneuvers, air sense, parachute opening procedures , parachute canopy control. attend air force combat diver school hosted @ navy diving , salvage training center, naval support activity panama city, florida. combat diver school 6 weeks long. after completion of combat diver school trainees become combat divers, learning use scuba , closed circuit diving equipment covertly infiltrate denied areas. course provides training depths of 130 feet, stressing development of maximum underwater mobility under various operating conditions. class of ccts , pjs @ air force combat diver school covered discovery channel s program surviving cut during season two, aired 25 july 2011.