The 21st Special Tactics Squadron is an Air Force Special Operations Command ground unit based at Pope Field, North Carolina, under the 720th Special Tactics Group. Its lineage traces to the 1721st Combat Control Squadron, activated in 1984 and redesignated the 21st STS in 1996. Its operators establish assault zones, control air traffic in combat, call in airstrikes, and recover personnel, and the unit has served across the Gulf War, Afghanistan, and Iraq; after the 24th Special Operations Wing inactivated in May 2025, the 720th group it falls under reports directly to AFSOC.
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What is 21st Special Tactics Squadron?
Deploys combat controllers, pararescuemen, and tactical air control specialists to integrate airpower with ground forces in hostile or austere environments.
What military branch is 21st Special Tactics Squadron in?
21st Special Tactics Squadron is a unit of the U.S. Air Force.
Who commands 21st Special Tactics Squadron?
21st Special Tactics Squadron operates under 720th Special Tactics Group (AFSOC).
Where is 21st Special Tactics Squadron based?
21st Special Tactics Squadron is headquartered at Pope Field, North Carolina.
When was 21st Special Tactics Squadron established?
21st Special Tactics Squadron was established in 1984.
Is 21st Special Tactics Squadron a special operations unit?
Yes. 21st Special Tactics Squadron is a U.S. special-operations unit.
24th Special Tactics Squadron · 17th Special Tactics Squadron · 22nd Special Tactics Squadron · 23rd Special Tactics Squadron · 26th Special Tactics Squadron · 320th Special Tactics Squadron · Thunderbirds · all military units
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