The mission of the Combat Control School is to provide the Department of Defense, Air Force Special Operations Command, and 720 Special Tactics Group with mission ready 3-level Combat Controllers and conduct advanced skills upgrade training for special operations airmen to produce the highest quality, air-minded, ground combat warriors in the Air Force.
Since 9/11 the demand for Combat Controllers on the battle field has significantly increased to the level that production of quality Combat Controllers has become an Air Force priority. Combat Control’s motto,
"First There," held true in the opening phases of the Global War on Terrorism in both Afghanistan and Iraq, ultimately defining a unique skill set unmatched by any other career field or branch of service.

Perfection on the battle field is a result of the training each operator receives. The foundation of a Combat Controller starts at the Combat Control School where they receive the basic fundamentals they’ll carry with them throughout their careers. The Combat Control School has six blocks of instruction varying in communications, small unit tactics, demolitions, land navigation, and assault zone procedures. All of which are tied to field training exercises, rigorous physical training and airborne operations.

The quality training each airman receives is complemented by the Air Education and Training Commands newest forty-two thousand square foot Combat Control School. The newest complex boasts a two tier academic, administration and logistics building to include a comprehensive heritage center displaying
lineage, artifacts, and equipment used since Combat Controls inception. The campus also includes an indoor nine line shooting range in addition to a fully equipped gymnasium and ten lane indoor 60 x 90 foot pool.
The state of the art school can now meet programmed student growth and mold more trainees in one year
than in any one year before.

Combat Controllers of yesterday paved the way for today's Combat Controllers. The Controllers of today are paving the way for tomorrow's warriors. The foundation of all Combat Controllers is the quality training they received and it’s the one thing they lean on to help them be the highest quality, air-minded, ground combat operators they can be and exceed the expectation and demands needed on the battlefield.

Charles L. McHarney, MSgt, USAF
Commandant, 342 TRS, OL-C
1 Matero Drive (bldg 501), Pope AFB NC, 28308
DSN: 424-1394, Commercial: (910) 394-1394