USAF CCT Beret Badge Set

USAF Combat Control Team Beret Badge Set

The first of the CCT badges photoed is extremely rare and only 100 of the badges were produced. It is considered the first design CCT badge. This badge was unofficially used in Vietnam from 1968 to 1973. The following info. is from the book by Robert K. Suchke, ¨USAF Parachute Badges¨; "In 1968 the CCT unit assigned to Vietnam was located at Tan Son Nhut Air Base at Saigon. With the valuable help from the 7th Air Force Graphics Department (also located at Tan Son Nhut), a distinctive CCT beret badge logo with the parachute canopy, lightning bolt and compass rose and the FIRST THERE / COMBAT CONTROL motto was designed. A one-time order was placed with a Japanese company for 100 badges in silver metal and enamel. These badges were worn only in Vietnam where there were very few restrictions on the wear of newly designed unit insignia. This beret badge design and composition was sent to the USAF Dept. of Heraldry to have it accepted as the official CCT beret badge for all CCT units. When the final official product was manufactured and issued to CCT members worldwide in the early 1970s, it had no enamel and consisted of a dark silver metal disk in a round design." The first design of only 100 badges was used in Vietnam for a very short period of time. The other two CCT badges in this lot are considered the third and fourth design which was based on the first design. By having the 1st, 3rd and 4th design badges, one will be two badges shy of the entire five badge set. However, the hardest to find is the design one badge as there was only 100 produced. The design two and five, high gloss versions, are easy to find. The fourth design badge in this lot is the only to have any maker marks on the rear. It is marked NS Meyer with the 22M designation.

The USAF Combat Controllers (CCT) (are ground combat forces specialized in a traditional pathfinder role while having a heavy emphasis on simultaneous air traffic control, fire support and command, control and communications in covert or austere environments. Assigned to Special Tactics Squadrons,  Combat Controllers are an integral part of USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).  Combat Controllers are often assigned individually or as a team to Pararescue, Army Special Forces, Ranger and Navy SEAL teams to provide expert air support coordination and communications capabilities.

Yeah, this is a USAF Rescue collection but it's impossible to forget the great job these guys do and the close relation between the CCT's and PJ's, plus the joint training they receive during their process to become operators in both fields. Great collector’s piece!

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