United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party The U . S . Air Force ( USAF ) Tactical Air Control Party ( TACP ) is the principle USAF liaison element to the United States Army ( USA ) provided in accordance with the Memorandum of Agreement between the USAF and the USA for the Exchange of Liaisons . In this context , the TACP is a USAF liaison element aligned with Army combat maneuver echelons from corps to battalion . The TACP provides its aligned Army unit with expertise in planning and executing airpower in support of the land component commander ' s scheme of maneuver . The term " TACP " also refers to the Air Force Specialty Code ( AFSC ) 1C4X1 , which is the core AFSC within a TACP element . Note : The USMC TACP consists of USMC personnel who support USMC units . Overview of a USAF TACP . The USAF TACP , when operationally employed as an element of the Theater Air Control System ( TACS ) , is subordinate to the Air Support Operations Center ( ASOC ) , which in turn is subordinate to the Air Operations Center ( AOC ) . The AOC is the senior TACS agency responsible for the centralized control and decentralized execution of airpower in support of the Joint Force Commander . To accomplish its mission , the TACP element has several different AFSCs . These AFSCs will vary depending on which Army echelon the TACP supports and they are identified in the USAF / USA Memorandum . The USAF / USA Memorandum requires the USAF to provide Air Liaison Officers , Battalion Air Liaison Officers , enlisted technicians ( 1C4X1s ) skilled in planning , requesting , and managing airpower resources , and 1C4X1 Joint Terminal Attack Controllers ( JTACs ) . JTACs are specially trained and certified airmen who provide terminal control of airpower , usually in the form of Close Air Support missions . In accordance with the USAF / USA Memorandum , the TACP also provides USAF Intelligence , Space , Electronic Warfare , Weather , and other liaisons to the Army . These liaisons serve as USAF subject - matter experts within their areas of expertise and assist in planning and integrating these functions with their aligned Army unit . All of these USAF liaison personnel are assigned to a USAF Air Support Operations Squadron . Operationally , liaisons serve within a TACP aligned with an Army Brigade Combat Team ( BCT , division , or corps . 1C4X1s and Air Liaison Officers serve in TACPs at Army echelons from battalion through corps . Overview of the 1C4X1 AFSC . After initial AFSC training , currently conducted at Hurlburt Field FL , followed by USAF Survival School at Fairchild AFB , WA , 1C4X1s will be assigned to an Air Support Operations Squadron ( ASOS ) , or possibly an Air Support Operations Center ( ASOC ) . Regardless of assignment , all junior 1C4X1s will focus their efforts on completing their career development courses and obtaining the Joint Terminal Attack Controller ( JTAC ) qualification . 1C4X1s are expert communicators , navigators , and are knowledgeable of individual , crew - served , and Army artillery and Air Force weapons systems . Junior 1C4X1s are responsible for mastering the necessary " shoot , move , and communicate " skills needed for interoperability with their Army counterparts . Attaining and maintaining the JTAC qualification is the certification which allows the 1C4X1 to direct the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations . Obtaining the JTAC qualification is not unique to 1C4X1s . Other US Department of Defense ( DoD ) and international forces have JTAC - qualified personnel . However , the USAF 1C4X1 USAF TACP maintains the preponderance of JTACs in the US DoD . It is their dedication to the mastery of this skill that makes 1C4X1 JTACs a valuable asset to the Army . Air Support Operations Squadrons . The Air Support Operations Squadron ( ASOS ) is a USAF squadron located on an Army installation , subordinate to an Air Support Operations Group in keeping with traditional USAF organizational practices . An ASOS is commanded by an Air Force LtCol . who also serves as the senior Air Liaison Officer . For the purpose of this Wiki , only the ASOS will be discussed . The ASOS mission is to support the host Army division and its subordinate brigade combat teams ( BCTs ) . The BCT is the basic deployable unit in the US Army . ASOSs are located on nearly all major Army installations . Few 1C4X1s will ever be assigned to an Air Force base during their career . Instead , 1C4X1s will be assigned to various ASOSs on Army installations throughout the U . S and overseas during their careers . As an unstated prerequisite to a career as a 1C4X1 , it is understood that 1C4X1s live , train and deploy with U . S . Army combat units worldwide under some of the most austere , demanding , and difficult conditions in often very austere envirinments . Additionally , there are numerous ASOSs within the Air National Guard which have actively participated in combat operations world - wide supporting the Global War on terror since 9 / 11 . When assigned to an ASOS , the mission of the 1C4X1 is to advise and assist Army ground commanders and fire support officers in planning , integrating , requesting , and employing airpower consistent with Joint , Army , and Air Force doctrine and tactics , techniques , and procedures . Because of their unique position in the USAF , which places enlisted airmen in positions of authority and responsibility normally placed on commissioned officers , 1C4X1s must be thoroughly proficient in their specialty and experts on airpower and joint operations . During an ASOS assignment , 1C4X1 ' s must continually possess a high degree of self - motivation , enthusiasm and a willingness to operate often as the lone airmen in a joint team . Though challenging , an ASOS assignment has its rewards : 1C4X1s are uniquely afforded the opportunity to increase their knowledge , skills , and operator capabilities by attending Basic Airborne , Military Freefall , Air Assault , Pathfinder , and Ranger schools . Air Support Operations Center . The Air Support Operations Center ( ASOC ) is an element of the Theater Air Control System ( TACS ) aligned with the senior Army maneuver unit in theater and directly subordinate to the Air Operations Center , which is the senior TACS agency in a theater . Organizationally , ASOCs are also Air Support Operations Squadrons and named as such , but organized and equipped as an ASOC . ASOCs are commanded by an Air Force LtCol . The ASOC manages allotted air resources and executes missions supporting its aligned Army units . 1C4X1s assigned to an ASOC fill a vital role by receiving air support requests from forward deployed JTACs . Once an air support request is received , the air support request is either approved or disapproved by the ground commander ' s land component chain of command . If approved , immediate requests to support urgent , troops - in - contact situations may result in strike aircraft being sent by the ASOC to the JTACs location for terminal control of immediate close air support . Approved , but non - urgent , air support requests submitted after the cut - off time for inclusion on the next Air Tasking Order will become scheduled missions on the subsequent Air Tasking Order . If an air support request is disapproved , the disapproved request should be sent back to the requesting unit with reasons for disapproval . It is important to understand that approval and disapproval authority of air support requests is the responsibility of the Army / Land Component being supported . Air Liaison Officer . An Air Liaison Officer is a rated officer who is assigned to an ASOS or ASOC as the USAF airpower advocate , subject - matter expert , and advisor to his or her aligned Army staff . Recently , an Air Liaison Officer AFSC has been created to form a career force of Air Liaison Officers . Upon completion of initial qualification training , these non - rated officers are awarded the 13L AFSC . 13Ls attend the same 85 day training as the enlisted TACPs and must achieve the same academic standards , though the physical standards are not as rigorous for the 13L . The ALO represents the Joint / Combined Forces Air Component Commander as a member of the Army Commander ’ s special staff at the Battalion thru Corps echelons in a coalition , joint , or interagency force . He or she provides subject matter expertise to lead , plan , and manage Command - and - Control and terminal execution of Air , Space , and Cyber operations in direct support of land component forces . The ALO assists in developing fire support coordination plans to include Close Air Support ( CAS ) , Air Interdiction ( AI ) , Intelligence , Surveillance and Reconnaissance ( ISR ) , Electronic Warfare ( EW ) , and Suppression / Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses ( SEAD / DEAD ) . The ALO may engage enemy forces using advanced technologies and weapon systems to direct lethal and non - lethal fires and effects in close proximity to friendly forces as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller ( JTAC ) . Air Liaison Officer training includes , but is not limited to : TACP Beret and History . In 1979 , the black beret was authorized for wear by enlisted personnel in the Tactical Air Control Party . In 1984 , two airman from Pope Air Force Base , North Carolina submitted the current flash and crest design . It was approved for all TACP airmen in 1985 . Tactical Air Control Party specialists ( AFSC 1C4X1 ) are currently the only United States military specialty allowed to wear the coveted black beret as part of their daily duty uniform wear . Air Liaison Officers ( ALOs ) are also authorized to wear the black beret after they graduate from the Joint Firepower Control Course , conducted at Nellis Air Force Base , Nevada . Career ALOs ( AFSC 13L ) are also authorized to wear the beret when awarded the AFSC . While authorized , many rated ( non - career ) ALOs choose to not wear the black beret out of respect to the career ALOs ( 13Ls ) and 1C4X1s , who have endured the rigorous training of the Tactical Air Control Party Apprentice Course . TACP Flash and Crest Heraldry . The US Air Force ordinary holds the position of honor at the top of the crest . It is supported by the erect wings which symbolize the combat ready United States Air Force and the Theater Air Control System . At the bottom of the wings rests the TACP ordinary , representing the most forward element of the Theater Air Control System . The sword symbolizes the strength and firepower controlled by the TACP , while the lighting bolt represents a modern day standard for communications , the backbone of the TACP . The eight point omnidirectional star symbolizes the worldwide mobility commitment of the TACP , as well as his ability to navigate over all terrain . The scarlet boarder of the cloth flash symbolizes the immense firepower that can be brought to bear when Air Force and Army assets are combined . The red dovetail divider symbolizes the strong interlocking relationship between the Army , the field of green , and the Air Force , the field of blue , created by the liaison functions of the TACP . Special Operations Force TACP . The US Special Operations Command was established in 1987 at MacDill AFB , FL . One MSgt . 1C4X1 ( then AFSC 275X0 ) was assigned to the command as a liaison , but the position was disestablished in approximately 1991 . In 1997 , two MSgt . JTAC - qualified 1C4X1s assigned to the 17th ASOS at Ft . Benning , GA were selected for assignment to two of Air Force Special Operations Command ' s Special Tactics Squadrons . Since then , the 17th ASOS , which provides JTACs and ALOs to the 75th Ranger Regiment and its three line battalions , has transferred from Air Combat Command to Air Force Special Operations Command and in July 2013 was renamed 17th Special Tactics Squadron . JTAC - qualified 1C4X1s at the " 5 " or " Craftsman " skill level may apply for a Special Tactics assignment within Air Force Special Operations Command ( AFSOC ) . After a rigorous selection process and rigorous training program , AFSOC 1C4X1 JTACs provide terminal attack control and fire support expertise for the three Ranger Battalions , the 75th Ranger Regiment ' s Reconnaissance Company , all seven Army Special Forces Groups , multiple Naval Special Warfare Groups ( SEAL Teams ) , and all four active duty CONUS Special Tactics Squadrons . 1C4X1 Initial Qualification Training . After graduating Basic Military Training , all enlisted 1C4X1 candidates are sent to Medina AFB , TX to attend a five - day indoctrination course . Those candidates who successfully complete indoctrination attend the 85 - day 1C4X1 3 - level ( Apprentice ) initial qualification training course at Hurlburt Field , Florida . Those who successfully complete the initial training course are awarded the " 3 " or " apprentice " skill level and then attend the USAF Survival School at Fairchild AFB , WA . During the previous five years , the attrition rate of the 1C4X1 3 - level course has been approximately 50 % , which is consistent with the historical attrition rate . This relatively high rate is primarily attributed to the constant physical demands students face throughout the entire length of the course , with the difficulty level increasing until graduation . The relentless physical combined with a challenging academic curriculum and the constant focus on attention to detail . After completing initial training and arriving at the first duty station , training continues with the goal of obtaining Combat Mission Readiness . After one year of maintaining Combat Mission Ready ( CMR ) status and possessing the " 5 " or " journeyman " skill level , 1C4X1s are eligible to attend the Joint Terminal Attack Controller qualification course at Nellis AFB , or if stationed in Germany or Italy , the USAFE Air - Ground Operations School . Course attendance is based on training NCO and commander recommendation and is not guaranteed . TACP Preparatory Course . All enlisted 1C4X1 candidates and 13L ALO candidates will attend a 5 - day indoctrination course at Medina AFB immediately following basic military training . The course educates candidates on the TACP career field and also identifies candidates unsuitable for the AFSC . An entry - level Physical Abilities and Stamina Test ( PAST ) test and a 4 - mile timed ruck march must be successfully completed to pass the Indoctrination course and progress to the Initial Qualification Course at Hurlburt Field . Portable radio familiarization , basic career knowledge , and associated publications . Field training exercise , Day and night land navigation , vehicle navigation , convoy training , and small unit tactics . Also , including training in bivouac setup , site selection , patrolling methods , and day and night navigation on foot and in a vehicle . Methods and means of requesting close air support , weapons effects and utilization , and other coordination procedures . This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas using minimal equipment . This includes instruction of principles , procedures , equipment and techniques that help individuals to survive , regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments , and return with honor . Students learn the basic parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line airdrop . This course includes ground operations week , tower week , and " jump week " when participants make five parachute jumps . Personnel who complete this training are awarded the basic parachutist rating and are allowed to wear the Parachutist Badge . Advanced Training . < nowiki > * * Note : Some of these courses are unit dependent and not all students may be selected . < / nowiki > Notable 1C4X1 JTACs . Silver Star Recipients