Do you have what it takes to be in Special Tactics? Published Oct. 14, 2008 By Master Sgt. Marcia Berkompas 7th Force Support Squadron DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- In this job, just getting to work is extreme. Airmen freefall out of aircraft and use parachutes to land at a precise location - on land or at sea. They infiltrate by amphibious means by either rubber craft or combat dive using scuba gear. Air Force Special Tactics Airmen operate on airfields with motorcycles, travel cross-country on skis, or climb mountains - and these are just a few of the ways they get to work. When Airmen get to their destination, they can either save or take lives, whatever the mission requires. Perhaps you've heard about the Special Tactics warriors and thought to yourself, "I can do that." If you have at least two years on active duty and have considered cross-training, Special Tactics is looking for you. Chief Master Sgt. Ralph Humphrey, the Combat Control Training pipeline manager, will hold a briefing at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Nov. 14 on CCT and pararescue career fields. He will discuss what qualifications are needed, what each job entails, and speak firsthand with Airmen already in training. Also, a pre-requisite Physical Ability Stamina Test will be held following the briefing. Airmen should bring swim trunks, goggles, running shorts, T-shirt, socks, and running shoes. A bottle of water is recommended. Special Tactics operators play a key role in the Global War on Terror and are in great demand. Combat Control Combat Controllers' mission is to deploy, undetected into combat and hostile environments to establish assault zones or airfields, while simultaneously conducting air traffic control, air strikes, command and control, direct action, counterterrorism, foreign internal defense, humanitarian assistance and special reconnaissance. Pararescue Pararescue Airmen, known as PJs, participate in search and rescue, combat search and rescue, recovery support for National Aeronautics and Space Administration and conduct other operations. They primarily function as personnel recovery specialists, with emergency medical capabilities in humanitarian and combat environments. They deploy into restricted environments to authenticate, extract, treat, stabilize and evacuate injured personnel, while acting in an enemy-evading, recovery role. If you think you have what it takes, come to the recruiting brief and find out how you can cross train into one of these exciting careers fields. To sign up, call Master Sgt. Marcia Berkompas, Dyess' Career Assistance Advisor, at 696-4471.