Project X

The Original Project X facility, or Leaders' Reaction Course (LRC), was constructed at Maxwell AFB, AL, in 1951 as part of the Squadron Officer School (SOS) leadership curriculum. Project X currently consists of 18 different practical, 'hands-on' problems designed to challenge the leadership and problem-solving abilities of groups of six officers.

This isn't the normal flight I am with, this was a special week called "Combined Ops." Maxwell AFB is the headquarters for Air University (AU). So 99% of all Air Force education programs are located here or at the Gunter Annex (part of Maxwell, but located about 10 minutes down the highway).

So there were five Second Lieutenants for about 12 senior enlisted. This program was made so develop professional relationships between the senior enlisted and the company grade officers (2LT, 1LT, and Captains). It is an interesting dynamic, since most of the senior enlisted have been in the military for atleast 17 years and we had some Sgt's that were old enough to be our fathers/mothers. But, we outrank them. So what is important is to find a good senior enlisted mentor to help the young LT's grasp the job and get situated.

Very very few of the senior enlisted in the Air Force get to go to the Senior NCO Academy (SNCOA) at Maxwell AFB Gunter Annex. Those who do are recognized as the best/high speed SNCO's in the Air Force. In my combined flight (CF68) we had mostly Master Sergeants (E-7) and Senior Master Sergeants (E-8). The SNCOA is also a joint operation, meaning it is open to all the services. We had a Chief Petty Officer from the Coast Guard and other flights had senior enlisted from the Navy and Army (didn't see any Marines but they might have been there). We also had some SNCO's from Japan, Korea, and Germany, but not in my CF.

The SNCO's had many jobs, just like the LTs, that ranged from Mechanic, Medical, to some very Hooah members. In my flight we had one Security Forces SNCO and a Combat Controler (CCT) SNCO.

The CCT in our flight was just awesome, he had so much real world experience. Even the SF guy said he is usually the one with the most deployments but this CCT had him easily beat.

"Combat controllers are certified air traffic controllers who are an integral part of the Air Force's ground combat team, that specializes in unconventional missions.

They can set up navigational aid equipment anywhere in the world to guide aircraft for landing on makeshift runways without the benefit of a tower or large communications system.

Their motto "First There" indicates the CCT commitment to be the first deployed into restricted environments by air, land or sea tactics to establish assault zones. The assault zone is a drop zone for parachute operations, a landing zone for fixed wing or helicopter operations, or an extraction zone for low altitude re-supply.  Combat controllers are often integrated with other special operations forces (SOF) and operate deep behind enemy lines.  Being experts in their specialty, Green Berets, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, rely on CCT for critical resupply."

The CCT in our flight was heavily involved in OEF and worked with the Austrailian SAS. With the ASAS he was out in the mountains for 47 days sleeping on a truck tire driving around finding and destroying very bad people.

Our job is to kill people and break their shit. And we do it very well.