Thompson, Leroy/Shumate, Johnny (Illustr.) US Air Force Special Operations Forces

From the Korean War to the present day, US Air Force special operations forces have played a pioneering role in global operations. This book examines the evolution of their organization, appearance, and equipment. Since its inception in 1947, the United States Air Force has deployed elite special operations units trained to the same high standards as US Navy SEALs or US Army Special Forces, albeit with distinct areas of specialization. These renowned units include "Pararescuemen," who conduct search and rescue missions for US personnel (often behind enemy lines); "Combat Control Teams," specializing in air-to-ground communications; "Special Reconnaissance" specialists, who perform not only weather analysis but also comprehensive reconnaissance tasksincluding electronic warfare, drone operations, and cyber warfare; and "Tactical Air Control Party" specialists, who coordinate the final approach and employment of rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft, as well as artillery and naval gunfire. Expert Leroy Thompson details the origins, organization, appearance, and methods of these highly skilled special forces from their inception to the present. Eight pages of specially commissioned illustrations, alongside carefully selected photographs, document the evolution of their uniforms, equipment, weaponry, and insignia over time.