PURPOSE

This document traces US Air Force Combat Control Team history from its beginning in January 1953.   

It is a living document with three goals:

1. to faithfully preserve CCT history,

2. aid the recruitment of future combat controllers,

3. and apply lessons learned to the skillful shaping of CCT future.

This overview merely scratches the surface of CCT legacy and proud heritage.

Unfortunately, much of the Team's history is lost to the ages.

 HERITAGE     50s       60s      70s      80s     90s      00s      DIST GRADS     LINKS     RECRUITING    TEST    SPONSOR

APPLICATION

Combat Control Team (CCT) history will be of interest to Combat Controllers, past, present and future; 
the other services; and history buffs around the world.  

The teams’ proud heritage, documented herein provides insight into CCT exploits, lessons learned, 
lessons forgotten, and doctrinal battles that rage even today. 


History is a version of past events that people have decided to agree upon.
                                                                                                                                               Napolean Bonaparte
                  

HELP COLLECT AND PRESERVE OUR HISTORY: Combat Controllers and professional associates are strongly encouraged to support this historical preservation effort by sending written memories of Combat Control exploits.   It is impossible for one combat controller to have the corporate memory of more than fifty years of CCT operations.  I can't do this alone, I need your help.
  HISTORY EDITOR   

ADDING MEAT TO THE BONES: In reviewing this history you will find titles that are followed by the words - Bookmark for future expansion.  These are known subjects that require additional information.  Send the complete account and I will replace the Bookmark with your name.
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SUBMITTING NEW STORIES AND VIGNETTES: In addition, there are other subjects that should and must be addressed.   Please help fill-the-blanks of our proud history.  Send a complete account and you will be given credit for the article. 

FORMATTING STORIES: Stories for CCT History are written in the third-person.  That is, references to I or me are not used; authors use their names and titles in their stories.  For example: 

  • “During the 1962 Project Close Look tests, SSgt Gene Adcock was  the CCT Project Manager for GPES.”

FORMATTING VIGNETTES: Vignettes, on the other hand, are written in the first person and are typically short stories that add color to historical facts.   For example:

    • “On or about February 21, 1968, TSgt. Tom Monley, SSgt. Irwin “Dusty” Rhodes, A1C Dave McCracken, and A/2c me flew into Khe Sanh on a rotation as Tall pipe Mike."
 HERITAGE     50s       60s      70s      80s     90s      00s      DIST GRADS     LINKS     RECRUITING    TEST    SPONSOR

Pride in the past - Faith in the future.
                                USAF 25th Anniversary Motto

EARLY IN THEIR CAREER, COMBAT CONTROL SCHOOL GRADUATES ARE TOLD

      “You are now part of a brotherhood and you will soon become part of a team of silent warriors - a team of professionals - executing classified missions veiled in secrecy.  Many of your accomplishments will never be known by the public, but your missions and their results will be recognized by comrades who truly understand your contributions and sacrifices.  In your combat control career, do your ancestors proud - remember their contributions and establish even greater goals for those who will proudly follow your lead." 

COPYRIGHT 2007

All rights reserved
by the
Combat Control School Historical Foundation
and by the
Article's Contributor - where annotated.

US GOVERNMENT ARTICLES & THE PUBLIC DOMAIN

Hundreds of articles in this historical document are copied directly from United States Government works. 

The following determination, from Title 17, USC § 105, is provided for those who may question their use.

  • Title 17 USC §105, Subject matter of copyright:  United States Government works, provides that “Copyright protection is not available for any work of the United States Government,” defined in Title 17 USC §101, as “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the United States Government as part of that person’s official duties.” Therefore, only those works solely authored by US Federal Government employees are not protected by copyright in the United States.


The dog in a fight is concerned with survival, not history . . .                                   
                                                            . . . history isn't important until he's history!
                                                                                   Gene Adcock, CCSA Historian                        
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CLICK ONE THE FOLLOWING LINKS TO CONNECT TO A HISTORICAL SECTION

(FOR WORD SEARCH - USE -  ctrl-F)

OUR ARMY HERITAGE

THE 1950s

THE 1960s

THE 1970s

THE 1980s

THE 1990s

THE 2000s

DISTINGUISHED CCS GRADUATES

ASSOCIATED LINKS

RECRUITING INFORMATION

COMBAT CONTROL STUDENT PRACTICE TEST

VISIT OUR SPONSOR'S WEBSITE  

SCATTERED WITHIN THIS DOCUMENT YOU WILL ALSO FIND THESE  SHORTCUTS.

   HERITAGE     50s       60s      70s      80s     90s      00s      DIST GRADS     LINKS     RECRUITING    TEST    SPONSOR