Perspectives on Special Warfare Airmen
History can generally be seen as the study of change over time and space and what were the forces that caused those changes to take place. Many times, historians can look at the factors that cause either incremental or drastic change and make connections to the events that are happening within the world today.
This is important when we are looking at the history of AF Special Warfare and why it is important. The role of Special Warfare Airmen is unique in that they very rarely are operating in a unilateral Air Force environment, especially Combat Controllers and Tactical Air Control Party operators.
What this means is that those serving in AF Special Warfare must have a different perspective that those of a similar rank. The bigger picture is something that must be considered. For most young service members, focusing on their job responsibilities is the only requirement, with increasing level of responsibility coming with higher rank. For Special Warfare Airmen, not only is competence in their associated job skill a requirement, but also soldiering skills, an understanding of the interconnected joint force, sister services ranks, as well as a basic knowledge of the tactical and operations levels of warfare.
All of this is required to bring certain levels of airmanship skills and knowledge to the joint fight. Much of this is done by having a mindset, crafted by the history and traditions of the Air Force, in to something that Gen. Hap Arnold called “airmindedness”. I think this is best described in a definition from Air Force Manual 1-1, Volume 2:
The perspective of Airmen is necessarily different; if reflects the range, speed, and capabilities of aerospace forces, as well as threats and survival imperatives unique to Airmen. Airmindedness is much harder to convey than the perspectives of soldiers and sailors for several reasons. The viewpoint of the soldier and sailor -bounded by the apparent horizon – is part of everyday life and instinctive understanding; few have ever operated an aircraft or contemplated the problems of aerial warfare; and few popular sources of information reflect an Airman’s perspective.”
This perspective that Special Warfare Airmen have is what makes them so instrumental to control of the battlefield. While most have never operated an aircraft, through training and conversations with flyers, they can advise ground commanders on issues surround the concerns of pilots. They can use their airmanship skill to correctly determine the best landing zone or how to communicate with aircraft for close air support.
I have been thinking about this ever since reading an article about the future of light attack aircraft. The author makes a case for allowing the Army to own and operate these aircraft to have an organic CAS, similar to the concept that the Marines utilize. As I read the article, the I realized that the author never address how these missions would be controlled.
The Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) is one of the most fundamental mission sets that Special Warfare Airmen conduct.
This is what I think about as I’m doing research for this blog and my book. This is what is shaping the research and tone of the texts. I know it can read like a stream of consciousness, but I wanted you, the reader, to have an idea of what the procees looks like as I work on this massive project. Currently, I’m attempting to find the origin documents of the Special Operations Weather Teams. Not quite as easy as I was hoping for, but the search shall continue.
Stay Safe everyone!
Hooyah, Never Quit
Morgan.
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