22nd Special Tactics Squadron emblem (approved 16 July 1999)[1]
1722nd Combat Control Squadron emblem (approved c. December 1986)[2]
Military unit
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-McChordMembers 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]
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
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]
^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.
^"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.
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