Have what it takes to be an air commando? Published May 4, 2009 By 509th Bomb Wing career assistance advisor WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE -- As a Special Tactics Air Commando, just getting to work is extreme. Freefalling out of an aircraft and using a ram-air parachute to land at a precise location - on land or at sea, infiltrating with either rubber raiding craft or swimming using scuba gear, operating on airfields with motorcycles, traveling cross-country on skis or climbing mountains are only a few of the ways Special Tactics Airmen get to work. After infiltrating, they can provide emergency medical care, report hydrographic, geological and meteorological conditions and crucial assault zone information to save lives or take them, whatever the mission requires. Anyone who has seen or heard about the Special Tactics operators and thought "I can do that," can have a chance to join one of these elite career fields. Airmen who have completed at least half of their initial enlistment contract may be eligible to cross train. Career Airmen are also welcome to apply. Retired Chief Master Sgt. Wayne Norrad, former Combat Controller and Command Chief Master Sergeant of Air Force Special Operations Command, will be at Whiteman to give a presentation and administer the Physical Ability Stamina Test May 12. Not everyone is cut out for these jobs, but interested Airmen can attend the presentation and take the fitness challenge to find out if they qualify. The presentation will be given at 10 a.m. in the Luke A. Ford Auditorium at the Professional Development Center. The PAST will start at 1 p.m. at the Warrensburg Community Activity Center. If taking the PAST, bring PT clothes, a swim suit and goggles or swim mask. Supervisors and spouses of candidates are welcome to attend. Special Tactics operators perform one of three important jobs: Combat Controller, Pararescue or Special Operations Weather. Combat Control The CCT mission is to deploy, undetected, into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields, and simultaneously conduct air traffic control, fire support, command and control, direct action, counter-terrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance and special reconnaissance. Their motto, "First There" reaffirms their commitment to undertaking the most dangerous missions behind enemy lines. Pararescue Pararescuemen, known as PJs, are personnel recovery specialists with emergency medical capabilities. They deploy into combat or humanitarian environments by air, land or sea. Once on site, they authenticate, extract, treat, stabilize and evacuate injured personnel. Their motto "That Others May Live" reaffirms the PJ's commitment to saving lives and self-sacrifice. Without PJ's, thousands of service members and civilians would have been lost in past conflicts and natural disasters. Special Operations Weather Special Operations Weathermen are meteorologists with advanced tactical training to operate in hostile territory. They collect localized weather information, assist with mission planning, provide intelligence and generate accurate target and route forecasts in support of special operations. Their motto, "Coela Bellatores," or "Weather Warriors" reaffirms their commitment to deploy into restricted environments by air, land or sea to analyze weather data from "mud to sun." To sign up for the briefing, contact Master Sgt. David Grisdale, Career Assistance Advisor, at 687-7829 or e-mail david.grisdale@whiteman.af.mil. Related Links: Special Tactics official site