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22nd Special Tactics Squadron

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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.

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]

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.

History

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The 1722d Combat Control Squadron was constituted and activated on 1 July 1984 at McChord Air Force Base, assigned to the Twenty-Second Air Force. It fought in Operation Just Cause, the United States invasion of Panama, in December 1989 and January 1990. From 17 January to 11 April 1991, the 1722d fought in Operation Desert Storm, the liberation of Kuwait during the Gulf War. On 1 March it became part of the 1725th Combat Control Group. The squadron became part of the 62d Operations Group on 1 June 1992 and was redesignated the 62d Combat Control Squadron.[1]

On 1 May 1996, the squadron was redesignated the 22d Special Tactics Squadron and became part of the 720th Special Tactics Group. The squadron fought in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War.[1] For actions in deployments to Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007, Combat Controllers Technical Sergeant Scott Innis and Staff Sergeants Sean Harvell and Evan Jones were awarded the Silver Star.[5][6] On 23 January 2013, Combat Controller Staff Sergeant Adam Krueger was awarded the Silver Star for calling in airstrikes on insurgents in Afghanistan while under fire.[7]

In June 2014, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Evancic took command of the squadron, replacing Colonel Thad Allen.[8] Between 14 and 15 July it participated in exercises with the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.[9] Combat Controller Technical Sergeant Matthew McKenna was awarded the Silver Star on 18 August for coordinating airstrikes on insurgents in Afghanistan while under fire.[10] On 17 December pararescueman Master Sergeant Ivan Ruiz was awarded the Air Force Cross for saving the lives of two wounded Army Special Forces teammates on 10 December 2013 while deployed to Kandahar Province in Afghanistan with the 22nd STS.[11] In 2015 the squadron was involved in airfield assessment missions in Africa.[12] On 16 November 2016, Combat Controller Staff Sergeant Keaton Thiem was awarded the Silver Star for coordinating airstrikes under enemy fire on 22 February of that year in Parwan Province.[13] As of August 2017 it was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Magruder.[14]

Lineage

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  • Constituted as 1722d Combat Control Squadron and activated on 1 July 1984
Redesignated 62d Combat Control Squadron on 1 June 1992
Redesignated 22d Special Tactics Squadron on 1 May 1996[1]

Assignments

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Stations

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Awards and campaigns

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Award streamer Award Dates Notes
  Gallant Unit Citation 1 January 2006 – 31 December 2007 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 January 2008 – 30 September 2009 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Air Force Meritorious Unit Award 1 October 2009–30 September 2011 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device 1 September 2001 – 31 August 2003 22nd Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1986 – 30 June 1988 1722d Combat Control Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 14 June – 3 July 1991 1722d Combat Control Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 August 1995 – 31 July 1997 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 August 1997 – 31 July 1999 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 September 1999 – 31 August 2001 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2012 – 30 September 2014 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
  Panama 20 December 1989 – 31 January 1990 1722d Combat Control Squadron[1]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
  Liberation and Defense of Kuwait 17 January 1991 – 11 April 1991 1722d Combat Control Squadron[1]
  Consolidation II 1 October 2006 – 30 November 2009 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Consolidation III 1 December 2009 – 30 June 2011 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Iraqi Sovereignty 1 January 2009 – 31 August 2010 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]
  Iraqi New Dawn 1 September 2010 – 15 December 2011 22d Special Tactics Squadron[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Dollman, David (15 May 2017). "22 Special Tactics Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  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.  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.  This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ Cooper, Amy (20 December 2007). "Combat controllers receive Silver Star, Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts, Air Force Combat Action Medals". Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  6. ^ Wicker, Kirsten (30 April 2010). "Combat controllers contributions honored in ceremony: Silver Stars, Bronze Stars, Purple Hearts awarded to 11 Airmen". 62d Airlift Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  7. ^ Marquez, Belena S. (29 January 2013). "AF's most combat-decorated unit since Vietnam War honors latest heroes". Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  8. ^ Jackson, Russ (4 June 2014). "The 22nd Special Tactics Squadron welcomes a new commander". 62d Airlift Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  9. ^ Jackson, Russ (16 July 2014). "Airmen and Soldiers conduct joint training". 62d Airlift Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  10. ^ Jackson, Russ (19 August 2014). "Silver Star awarded to 22nd STS Airman". 62d Airlift Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  11. ^ Savage, Craig (17 December 2014). "PJ's extraordinary heroism earns an Air Force Cross". Air Force News Service. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  12. ^ Chacon, Tim (9 February 2015). "Deployed Special Tactics Airmen support African orphanage". 62d Airlift Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  13. ^ Conroy, Ryan (16 November 2016). "Combat controller continues Special Tactics legacy of valor". 24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  14. ^ Jimenez, Jacob (1 August 2017). "Airmen learn about joint leadership". 62d Airlift Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
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