22nd Special Tactics Squadron

22nd Special Tactics Squadron
22nd Special Tactics Squadron emblem.
Founded1984-present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeSpecial Operations Force
RoleSpecial Operations, CCTs, and PJs
Part of
Garrison/HQJoint Base Lewis–McChord (McChord Air Force Base)
Engagements
Decorations
Commanders
Current
commander		Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Catino
Insignia
22nd Special Tactics Squadron emblem (approved 16 July 1999)[1]
1722nd Combat Control Squadron emblem (approved c. December 1986)[2]
Airmen assigned to the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, Joint Base Lewis–McChord, watch as an A-10 Thunderbolt II lands in support of Green Flag West 15-08.5 on the National Training Center at Fort Irwin National Training Center July 16, 2015. As Combat Controllers, part of their job is to operate in remote and sometimes hostile areas helping the Air Force accomplish its mission by directing air traffic and alerting pilots and command of the location of hostile forces on the ground.[3]
A MH-47G Chinook crew from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) and airmen from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron (Red Team) conduct helocast alternate insertion and extraction training at American Lake on Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Members of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron jump from an MC-130H Combat Talon II May 2, 2014, during Emerald Warrior over Hurlburt Field, Fla. Emerald Warrior is an annual joint exercise to train special operations, conventional and partner nation forces in combat scenarios designed to hone special operations air and ground combat skills, and is the Department of Defense's only irregular warfare exercise.[4]

The 22nd Special Tactics Squadron is a Special Tactics unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, based at the McChord Air Force Base facility of Joint Base Lewis–McChord.

Constituted and activated in 1984 as the 1722nd Combat Control Squadron at McChord Air Force Base (now part of Joint Base Lewis–McChord), it participated in Operation Just Cause and the Gulf War. The squadron was redesignated the 62nd Combat Control Squadron in 1992 and the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron in 1996, when it became part of the 720th Special Tactics Group in 1996. The 22nd STS has fought in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference AFHRA was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Approved insignia for: 1722nd Combat Control Squadron". National Archives Catalog. 3 December 1986. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ Towle, Mikaley (23 July 2015). "'Thunder' rolls at Fort Irwin". www.acc.af.mil. US Air Force Air Combat Command. Retrieved 20 June 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ "140505-F-RP072-1222". USASOC News Service. 5 May 2014. Retrieved 20 June 2023.Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.