MOBILE, Ala. – One of the specialized career fields in the military is that of the U.S. Air Force combat controller. Air combat controllers are special mission operators trained to support all other special operators and often conduct their missions behind enemy lines.

Combat controllers are certified as air traffic controllers and joint terminal attack controllers. These dual certifications allow them to direct friendly air traffic and request attacks against ground targets from aircraft overhead.

To accomplish this mission, combat controller teams often move forward with Navy Seals, Green Berets, or other Tier 1 operators and use a radio to communicate with air assets assigned to the mission.

Combat controllers need a place to be housed and trained in order to fulfill and train for these missions.

Enter the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District.

Among its many military construction projects at Hurlburt Field, Duke Field, and Eglin Air Force Base, the Mobile District is currently constructing the 23rd Special Tactics Group’s operations building and training facility at Hurlburt Field in Florida.

Hurlburt Field is home to the Air Force Special Operations Command, of which the 23 STG is a part.

“We’re taking units that have been spread out over five different buildings and giving them one consolidated space so they can have everything from their maintenance, their dive shop, weapons lockers, and their command offices, all in one building,” said Steve Roscovius, Resident Engineer for the Hurlburt Field Resident Office. “We do a lot of projects for the special operations group here on Hurlburt.”

The new building will include a current operations suite, armory, supply, dive shop, aircrew flight equipment, vehicle maintenance bays, team rooms, conference room, and various rooms to support their mission.

Outside, there will be a covered storage area, a large hardstand for tactical vehicles and watercraft parking, and a multistory training tower.

“This building will replace the existing (23rd Special Tactics Squadron) compound of many buildings spread out on Hurlburt Field,” Roscovius said. “This will place all the elements required by the 23rd under one roof. By providing a building and secure surrounding area to house all the different elements of the 23 STS, we will be able to provide a much-improved training and operational area for their mission.”

The new state-of-the-art rappel tower or training tower will allow controllers to train for close-quarters battle, infiltration/insertion, and breach training and provide a free-form and flat climbing wall.

“We are also building what’s called a Human Performance Training Center,” Roscovius said. “These are the actual boots-on-the-ground service members. We are doing this knowing that they will be well served for their readiness training and know they will be well prepared to go over and serve overseas.”