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 01-13-2009, 08:59 PM | #1 | Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,885 |  cool picture, seriously, check it out
I came across this as I was looking for a picture of a suppressed GAU-5. When I first worked with these guys during my time with the 82nd, their uniforms blew my mind. I had to go ask my Platoon Sergeant what was going on.
For those that are lost by the Air Force rank under the Double A, this guy is part of an Air Force attachment to the 82nd Airborne. They're part of what is known as the TACP or Tactical Air Control Party. IIRC, for the most part, they're Air Force Combat Controllers, with a handful of radio operators and a Pararescue or two thrown into the mix. They're the ones that lead the 82nd into a combat jump. They're among the first members of the Eighty-Duece on the ground, as they typically call the birds into the DZ. Oddly enough, they're some of the hardest soldiers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division as well.
I just thought I'd share that with you guys as they're not a common sight.
Last edited by matt g; 01-13-2009 at 09:15 PM. | 
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| 01-13-2009, 09:31 PM | #2 | Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Austin, Texas, by God!! Posts: 6,059 |
And a Recondo tab to boot? Talk about being a "man among men". | |
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| 01-13-2009, 09:32 PM | #3 | Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Stafford, Virginia, The state of insanity. Posts: 14,049 |
COmbat controllers are some hard core crazy dudes. I have meet a few of them. | |
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| 01-13-2009, 09:36 PM | #4 | Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,885 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by robocop10mm
And a Recondo tab to boot? Talk about being a "man among men".
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It's non-regulation. Army personnel are forced to wear them on the inside of their pocket flaps. Recondo school really wasn't that tough though. It was a few weeks of fun, but nothing to worry about getting through. | |
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| 01-14-2009, 02:29 AM | #5 | Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: everywhere Posts: 9,640 |
I was Infantry attached to a Field Artillery unit, and had to wear the Pershing patch and tab on my greens, with the Infantry cord and discs.
I'm taking leave, in the airport, and some commo plebes approach me thinking I was faking the Infantry stuff, doing the PX Ranger thing.
Nearly brawled in a German airport over that one. | |
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| 01-14-2009, 02:41 AM | #6 | Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Ohio, Ohio Posts: 10,953 |
I'm sure this fellow and his family appreciate the publicity.  | |
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| 01-14-2009, 03:09 AM | #7 | Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2,350 |
I know a few Combat Controllers. They will eat raw guts and ask for seconds.
Good people to have in a firefight. They bring the big hurt. __________________ "TRAIN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE, NOT WITH WHAT YOU WISH YOU HAVE." | |
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| 01-14-2009, 05:05 AM | #8 | Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,885 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by SGT-MILLER
I know a few Combat Controllers. They will eat raw guts and ask for seconds.
Good people to have in a firefight. They bring the big hurt.
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I worked with them often, as we needed them to call out our contacts to the fast movers and Spookies. Great men indeed.
As a cherry with the 82nd, it struck me as being very odd that the first soldiers from the 82nd weren't soldiers at all. At the same time, it made me realize that the Brotherhood of the Paratrooper went well beyond the bounds of those outside the US Army.
Last edited by matt g; 01-14-2009 at 05:15 AM. | |
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| 01-14-2009, 05:11 AM | #9 | Supporting Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 3,885 |
Quote:
Originally Posted by skullcrusher
I'm sure this fellow and his family appreciate the publicity. |
Photo credits go to www.retroblackrifle.com
Their credit is as follows:
1983 - Airman 1st Class Dan Hanneken, Tactical Air Control Special ist
attached to the 82nd Airborne Division
Fort Bragg, NC | |
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