A Combat Controller Story
12-04-2008, 09:28 AM
#1
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A Combat Controller Story
Here's a good story from today's Air Force Magazine Online. I enjoyed working with the ground guys while flying the U-2 over Afghanistan.
A Combat Controller Story: SSgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr., a special tactics combat controller with the 352nd Special Operations Group at RAF Mildenhall, England, was on patrol in Afghanistan with an Army Special Forces team earlier this year when the convoy came under fire. He called in airstrikes that stopped the assault and moved out on foot with soldiers to check the area, only to find his team under fresh attack and cut off from the convoy's heavy weapons. With some of the soldiers wounded, one in the enemy kill zone, Gutierrez killed four insurgents with his M4 carbine and called in A-10 Warthog strikes that enabled him and another team member to retrieve the soldier in the kill zone. After which, he directed another 70 close air support strikes over about five hours, repelling attempts to overrun the coalition troops. His efforts helped incapacitate more than 240 enemy fighters, including a high-value target that was the object of his team's mission. According to a senior leader in his unit: "Sergeant Gutierrez's actions that day epitomized the ethos of special tactics. He willingly risked his life to save a teammate. He maintained his composure in the darkest of circumstances and aggressively pursued the enemy using every asset at his disposal." (RAF Mildenhall report by MSgt. Dennis Brewer)
A Combat Controller Story: SSgt. Robert Gutierrez Jr., a special tactics combat controller with the 352nd Special Operations Group at RAF Mildenhall, England, was on patrol in Afghanistan with an Army Special Forces team earlier this year when the convoy came under fire. He called in airstrikes that stopped the assault and moved out on foot with soldiers to check the area, only to find his team under fresh attack and cut off from the convoy's heavy weapons. With some of the soldiers wounded, one in the enemy kill zone, Gutierrez killed four insurgents with his M4 carbine and called in A-10 Warthog strikes that enabled him and another team member to retrieve the soldier in the kill zone. After which, he directed another 70 close air support strikes over about five hours, repelling attempts to overrun the coalition troops. His efforts helped incapacitate more than 240 enemy fighters, including a high-value target that was the object of his team's mission. According to a senior leader in his unit: "Sergeant Gutierrez's actions that day epitomized the ethos of special tactics. He willingly risked his life to save a teammate. He maintained his composure in the darkest of circumstances and aggressively pursued the enemy using every asset at his disposal." (RAF Mildenhall report by MSgt. Dennis Brewer)
12-05-2008, 10:34 PM
#4
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For a very simple and public answer:
Ummmm, no... not really. With the very rare exception where they are the main effort, they are a key direct support element of the SOF warriors that are on the bleeding edge of the fight, but they (Combat Controllers) have a very different training background. They have to be in the same physical condition with similar direct combat skills as their Army/Navy and now USMC SOF brothers.
That said, same breed of person and similar in toughness of body and spirit.
IMHO, the real heroes of the AF SOF (and conventional) ground forces should be the young TACPs and JTACs that move out on almost all ground efforts with their fellow grunts. These are the everyday studs that are putting steel on target and bad guys in their little black body bags up close and in person.
John
Ummmm, no... not really. With the very rare exception where they are the main effort, they are a key direct support element of the SOF warriors that are on the bleeding edge of the fight, but they (Combat Controllers) have a very different training background. They have to be in the same physical condition with similar direct combat skills as their Army/Navy and now USMC SOF brothers.
That said, same breed of person and similar in toughness of body and spirit.
IMHO, the real heroes of the AF SOF (and conventional) ground forces should be the young TACPs and JTACs that move out on almost all ground efforts with their fellow grunts. These are the everyday studs that are putting steel on target and bad guys in their little black body bags up close and in person.
John
12-06-2008, 06:26 AM
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They have to be in the same physical condition with similar direct combat skills as their Army/Navy and now USMC SOF brothers.
IMHO, the real heroes of the AF SOF (and conventional) ground forces should be the young TACPs and JTACs that move out on almost all ground efforts with their fellow grunts. These are the everyday studs that are putting steel on target and bad guys in their little black body bags up close and in person.
USMCFLYR
12-06-2008, 11:54 AM
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I was in a ARRS combat rescue squadron a long time ago. The PJ's truly are amazing, and I think the most highly trained warriors in our military. Later, I worked with SEALS, SF, Rangers, and others. They have the same level of respect for PJ's. One of the most amazing things to see is a PJ in a tree suit with combat and medical gear. I dropped them into triple forest canopy in the P.I. and they steered the chute over the tallest tree, then let down and went to work. They live and die "That Others May Live"
12-06-2008, 06:26 PM
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USMCFLYR, I do have to throw a small stone at your theory, since I was there when the USMC has finally had to (2005) belly up to the SOCCOM table and field a "real" SOF.
MARSOF was off to a very rough start until they enlisted the aid of the only "Special Forces" in the DOD. Although most of us were either in other units, under contract as civilian advisors, or as retirees, a number of us "former" GB's were able to help (coach/mentor/advise) in these early stages. Then we went along and watched as a superb bunch of former "Force" guys really sank their teeth into the reality and complexity of today's SOF missions.
While it may be true that the Corps has a great history of executing with regard to direct action, there is very little tradition (outside of some limited WWII stuff) of taking on other SOF type missions in the Corps. As you mentioned, the theory was (and is) "every Marine is elite", but as you can imagine, not every elite "pipe hitter" is able to solve problems with the flexibility required by each different SOF mission. You only have to look at the events surrounding the eviction from Afghanistan of the first SOF company fielded by today's USMC. The guys were top notch killers, but that wasn't the roll they were asked to play, so they were asked/directed to leave.
After the fact, the Corps took a ground up approach to revamping their DOD assigned mission to field a true full spectrum SOF. These guys are taking baby steps, but by asking for and accepting help from the folks that have a 50+ year history, I believe that they have a very good chance of catching up.
BTW, the "Special Forces" comment is my little dig at the media
for calling all SOF folks special forces
.
MARSOF was off to a very rough start until they enlisted the aid of the only "Special Forces" in the DOD. Although most of us were either in other units, under contract as civilian advisors, or as retirees, a number of us "former" GB's were able to help (coach/mentor/advise) in these early stages. Then we went along and watched as a superb bunch of former "Force" guys really sank their teeth into the reality and complexity of today's SOF missions.
While it may be true that the Corps has a great history of executing with regard to direct action, there is very little tradition (outside of some limited WWII stuff) of taking on other SOF type missions in the Corps. As you mentioned, the theory was (and is) "every Marine is elite", but as you can imagine, not every elite "pipe hitter" is able to solve problems with the flexibility required by each different SOF mission. You only have to look at the events surrounding the eviction from Afghanistan of the first SOF company fielded by today's USMC. The guys were top notch killers, but that wasn't the roll they were asked to play, so they were asked/directed to leave.
After the fact, the Corps took a ground up approach to revamping their DOD assigned mission to field a true full spectrum SOF. These guys are taking baby steps, but by asking for and accepting help from the folks that have a 50+ year history, I believe that they have a very good chance of catching up.
BTW, the "Special Forces" comment is my little dig at the media
for calling all SOF folks special forces.
12-06-2008, 06:36 PM
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And yes, I too am impressed by the PJs. Some of the humblest life savers on the planet. Love to party with them and I love the skittles and the blowup dolls
.
My reason for not including them earlier is that I don't consider them to be part of the ground force "Warriors". They are not part of teams that kick in doors or train others to do so, they don't hang out with infantrymen and get steel delivered on the heads of badguys, they wait in the wings until those folks and their aircrews need their help. While they may not shoot badguys in the face as a primary job, their critical mission of conservation of the force is a true combat multiplier for the USAF and the SOF they support.
.My reason for not including them earlier is that I don't consider them to be part of the ground force "Warriors". They are not part of teams that kick in doors or train others to do so, they don't hang out with infantrymen and get steel delivered on the heads of badguys, they wait in the wings until those folks and their aircrews need their help. While they may not shoot badguys in the face as a primary job, their critical mission of conservation of the force is a true combat multiplier for the USAF and the SOF they support.
12-06-2008, 06:48 PM
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[QUOTE]
No small stone. 
I'm aware that the USMC has finally bellied up to SOCOM. Next thing you know there will be a Marine in charge of SOCOM. Stranger things have happened!
Our civilian and military leadership does not exactly have a stellar record of picking the right tool for the job. It is my opinion that the Marine Corps is among the ebst in the world at the mission that is at its heart - kicking in the door, closing with and exterminating the enemy using integrated arms. Sometimes a force shouldn't be used for training or peacekeeping or a slew of other missions now heaped upon them in an environment of every force is capable of every mission.
I'm sure that they will. If you ever wanted to admit that there was a "special force" within the Marines - Marine Recon has always had a good reputation - at least from what I have heard. I'm not a special operator - so my information is second, third, or fourth hand.
USMCFLYR
I'm aware that the USMC has finally bellied up to SOCOM. Next thing you know there will be a Marine in charge of SOCOM. Stranger things have happened!
You only have to look at the events surrounding the eviction from Afghanistan of the first SOF company fielded by today's USMC. The guys were top notch killers, but that wasn't the roll they were asked to play
After the fact, the Corps took a ground up approach to revamping their DOD assigned mission to field a true full spectrum SOF. These guys are taking baby steps, but by asking for and accepting help from the folks that have a 50+ year history, I believe that they have a very good chance of catching up.
USMCFLYR
12-06-2008, 08:27 PM
#10
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My reason for not including them earlier is that I don't consider them to be part of the ground force "Warriors". They are not part of teams that kick in doors or train others to do so, they don't hang out with infantrymen and get steel delivered on the heads of badguys, they wait in the wings until those folks and their aircrews need their help. While they may not shoot badguys in the face as a primary job, their critical mission of conservation of the force is a true combat multiplier for the USAF and the SOF they support.[/quote]
I definitely consider PJ's as warriors of the highest level. First, Pararescue are combatants, not medics. They are trained in all measure of small arms, some heavy weapons, explosives, and precision marksmanship. I was the weapons/explosives safety officer of my squadron, and participated in some of their training evolutions. They also direct fire with the miniguns and ma deuces in the helicopters. My generation of PJ's included several that were on the Son Tay raid, Mayaguez rescue, numerous sorties into NVN, Laos, and Cambodia. One AF Cross winner in the squadron, (there were three) was left on the ground in NVN after searching for a survivor, and the HH-53 was shot down. Google SMSGT Duane Hackney. I'd certainly consider William Pitsenbarger a combatant of the highest order. Later, Tim Wilkinson, and Scott Fales were part of the combined Ranger SFOD-D team in the Gothic Serpent action in Mogadishu, Jason Cunningham won the AF Cross at Robert's Ridge in Afghanistan. They don't enter combat to engage the enemy, they enter combat when the engagement has gone south. I also had the pleasure of shooting with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron members while doing a workup for a JSOC mission in the mid eighties. This included the operators of the then classified teams of SOF, and they all cross trained in each other's mission specialties. My point is that all of the SOF forces are SPECIAL, and unique in their excellence. I happen to have worked with all of them, but I knew PJ's the best, and their capabilities and initiative are equal to anyone I have ever witnessed.
I definitely consider PJ's as warriors of the highest level. First, Pararescue are combatants, not medics. They are trained in all measure of small arms, some heavy weapons, explosives, and precision marksmanship. I was the weapons/explosives safety officer of my squadron, and participated in some of their training evolutions. They also direct fire with the miniguns and ma deuces in the helicopters. My generation of PJ's included several that were on the Son Tay raid, Mayaguez rescue, numerous sorties into NVN, Laos, and Cambodia. One AF Cross winner in the squadron, (there were three) was left on the ground in NVN after searching for a survivor, and the HH-53 was shot down. Google SMSGT Duane Hackney. I'd certainly consider William Pitsenbarger a combatant of the highest order. Later, Tim Wilkinson, and Scott Fales were part of the combined Ranger SFOD-D team in the Gothic Serpent action in Mogadishu, Jason Cunningham won the AF Cross at Robert's Ridge in Afghanistan. They don't enter combat to engage the enemy, they enter combat when the engagement has gone south. I also had the pleasure of shooting with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron members while doing a workup for a JSOC mission in the mid eighties. This included the operators of the then classified teams of SOF, and they all cross trained in each other's mission specialties. My point is that all of the SOF forces are SPECIAL, and unique in their excellence. I happen to have worked with all of them, but I knew PJ's the best, and their capabilities and initiative are equal to anyone I have ever witnessed.
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