24th Special Tactics Squadron

Combat Control Team

Combat Support Team

Jester

Pararescue

PJ

Pope Air Force Base, NC

Keep 'Em Safe Inspite Of Themselves

Tier 1

Special Missions Unit (SMU)

Air Force Challenge Coin

Condition:  Used, and in nice shape.  Please see pictures.

This coin is 1 5/8 inches in diameter, circa 2012.   This coin was acquired from former member of 24th STS.

The 24th Special Tactics Squadron is one of the Special Tactics units of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). It is the U.S. Air Force component to Joint Special Operations Command.^[1][2] It is garrisoned at Pope Field, North Carolina.

Lineage:

• Constituted as 24 Air Corps Interceptor Control Squadron on 14 October 1941.

Activated on 21 October 1941.

• Redesignated as 24 Fighter Control Squadron on 15 May 1942.

Disbanded on 31 March 1944.

• Reconstituted, and consolidated (1 March 1992) with the 1724 Combat Control Squadron which was designated, and activated, on 1 May 1987.
• Redesignated as: 1724 Special Tactics Squadron on 1 October 1987.
• Redesignated as: 24 Special Tactics Squadron on 31 March 1992.

(REF: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24th_Special_Tactics_Squadron)

Tier 1 - Special Mission Unit

United States

Special mission units are commanded and controlled by Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). In addition to performing highly classified activities the special mission units are also tasked with "special missions", sometimes referring to unconventional warfare, counter-terrorist activities, direct action, Special reconnaissance, and/or black operations.^[2][3][4][5] So far, only four SMUs have been publicly disclosed:

- The Army's 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment – Delta

- The Army's 75th Ranger Regiment: Regimental Reconnaissance Company

- The Navy's Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU)

- The Air Force's 24th Special Tactics Squadron (24 STS)^{[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]}

Units from the Army’s 75th Ranger Regiment and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (160th SOAR), and are controlled by JSOC when deployed as part of JSOC Task Forces such as Task Force 121 and Task Force 145.^{[13][14][15][16]}

The Intelligence Support Activity (ISA) is also under JSOC and has been referred to as a special mission unit.^{[17][7][9][10]} The ISA collects specific target intelligence prior to SMU missions, and provides signals support, etc. during those mission.^[7][9][10] The Army once maintained the ISA, but after the September 11 attacks, the Pentagon shifted direct control to Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, NC.^[18]

(REF: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Mission_Unit)

NOTE 2: Never personally given any of the coins.  They are from either purchases of collections or from professional makers of military challenge coins.  All coins are guaranteed to be in excellent unless stated otherwise above.