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Expeditionary Combat Airmen Overview

In addition to Battlefield Airmen, other USAF officers and enlisted known as Expeditionary Combat Airmen are in the fight on the ground in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Air liaison officers (ALOs) are fighter or bomber aircrew who direct close air support strikes as members of tactical air control parties on the ground, and provide guidance to Army ground commanders at the front lines. Office of Special Investigations (OSI) agents conduct law enforcement, counter-terrorism, and security missions. USAF Security Forces defend air bases, provide convoy security, man checkpoints and perform counterinsurgency patrols in urban areas. Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians regularly deal with IEDs (improvised explosive devices). 

Thousands of USAF personnel from varied specialties perform dangerous Joint Expeditionary Taskings (JET) to assist the U.S. Army, Navy and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan. They operate in many capacities, including armed convoy escorts, convoy drivers, prison guards and dog handlers.

Click here to return to the Warrior Airmen Overview.

 

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Related Fact Sheets
Office of Special Investigations
Explosive Ordnance Disposal
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