Combat Control Foundation

I have always found it difficult to ask for help. However, when my second hip replacement became a necessity, I knew I needed to put my pride aside. I tentatively reached out and was met with a hopeful and helpful response. The folks at the Combat Control Foundation and Combat Control Association helped me borrow the medical devices I needed for my recovery. Without them, my post-op experience would have been much more painful than it needed to be.

To the Foundation: I wanted to highlight a huge thank you from the unit and our families who participated in the pre-deployment Great Wolf Lodge family retreat!
This was an outstanding event that received broad praise and appreciation from our members who attended. Stats below for awareness of where your direct support went. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do to support your mission, and please pass on our grateful appreciation to your doners. This meant so much to our families in preparation for 6 months apart, serving our country in four Geographic Combatant Commands overseas.

To the doners: It is people like you who make all the difference in the lives of our members, our families, and their children. As our operators and mission support teammates prepare to step out the door for over six-months to defend the United States abroad, deter conflict, solve complex international problems amidst crisis, and when necessary bring lethal justice to those who would do our nation harm, it is immensely reassuring and encouraging to know that there are Americans behind us supporting us and helping strengthen and protect our families at home. Your support means the world to the men and women of Special Tactics, and we are very grateful!

In addition to the stats and survey comments below, I received numerous verbal messages of thanks from the families who attended. They were blown away by the event and felt very special and grateful that someone would offer them this opportunity and the quality time and memory making experience they had with their families. In this group we had people deploying all over the globe to Africa, Europe, the Middle-East, and the Indo-Pacific, all to hunt down terrorists, deter conflict with peers, and support our allies and partners in their own efforts to ensure freedom and opportunity for all who love democracy.

Event Demographics Info: This event targeted families in the Squadron with children, so that does affect the dynamic to usually older, more experienced operators and leaders between 25-45 years old. Operators who wanted to attend were given preference for slots, then mission support deployers on the current rotation, then squadron operators and mission support on staff who had children and desired to participate (usually previous deployers, or members with medical restrictions from years of deployments who work on staff). In this mix I also want to point out that people were served who have dealt with military member suicide in the family, combat related injuries and disabilities, and families struggling with relationship challenges due to the pace of operational tempo and demands. The impacts touched a broad swath of personnel across the unit.

Families:
Members/Spouses: 32 each
Children: 58
Total People Served: 122

Participants:
Operators: 15
Mission Support: 17

Current Deployers: 70%

Anonymous Feedback:
Q1: “What did you like about this event?”
A1: “It was active!”
A2: “This was an awesome opportunity to be with friends and family before deployment.”
A3: “Loved the location, very family friendly and away from the normal every-day life.”
A4: “Great for the kids. Childcare was close if we needed to intervene. Good sessions with the couples. Good energy from the chaplain.”
A5: “The opportunity to discuss with my spouse things we needed to talk about.”

Q2: “In what ways could this event be improved?”
A1: “Maybe a little longer!”
A2: “None.”
A3: “I have no complaints.”
A4: “Nothing really.”
A5: “It would have been nice to have a little more time when we were answering questions.”

Q3: “Is there anything else you would like to mention?”
A1: “Greatly appreciate all the time and effort put into the event. Chaplain did a great job personalizing the “trainings”. Thank you!
A2: “Thanks!”
A3: “This was an incredible opportunity to really get to talk about important things with my spouse right before he has to leave. Thanks to all who put it on and funded it!”

Thank you CCF for making a difference in the lives of our members and families! We are more than grateful for your support!
-Operational Squadron Commander

The Combat Control Foundation’s wellness program has blessed both me and my family. They filled the gaps that the active duty providers could not and have facilitated lasting improvements and healing for deployment injuries.

We are grateful for the donors, volunteers, and for those who run the foundation!

My name is Jack Fanning. I was a Combat Controller until I was paralyzed in 2010 during a military freefall jump. The last 4 years I’ve been dealing with a wound on my bottom. Combat Control Foundation raised money for me so that I could rent a Clinitron bed which is the best and softest bed out there. This has absolutely helped my wound in a huge way. They even purchased me a new van so that when I travel to and from appointments or anytime I’m driving the van is a much smoother ride for my wound. In addition to that, they have provided me with funds to help with caregiver costs. These things have 100% impacted my life in a positive way and I can’t thank them enough. My quality of life has been so much better with the help of Combat Control Foundation.

The CCF really helped me out when I was in a tough spot. I truly don't know where I'd be if they hadn't been there for me.

I ran into some issues that really took a toll on me and my family. The CCF lined up and funded care that the DOD wouldn't. It helped me tremendously.

I'm so thankful that the CCF is available for me and my brothers in arms now. I hope that I will be able to pay it forward soon.

Not many people know of CCT, this foundation supports these silent professionals with a myriad of programs.

The Combat Control Foundation has been of immeasurable value in supporting combat team members and their families. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, it provides care and support to Combat Controllers (CCTs), their families, and other members of the military special operations community. The CCF organizes engaging summer camps, and teammate connect events, as well as providing financial support for the development of national memorials and monuments. The efforts of the CCF play an important role in sustaining the honor and dedication of CCT members and their family members, as well as making a real difference in their lives and their families.

I'm a retired Combat Controller and the Combat Control Foundation is doing Great things for our Community. The Atlantic City reunion was outstanding thanks to the Efforts of Mike Marino and John Hill. I'm proud to be a part of this community

Combat Control Foundation is an organization with a steadily growing membership.​

The CCF is actively engaged in assisting the membership in its mission to extend the proud history, heritage, and fraternity of Combat Controllers and of the United States Air Force Combat Control Teams.

They are quick to assist disabled and needy war veterans and members of the US Armed Forces and their dependents, widows and orphans of deceased veterans.

My experience with the Combat Control Foundation has been excellent. Their focus is on Air Force Combat Controllers. This foundation goes above and beyond other non profits. They help take care of a group of quiet professionals that most folks have never heard of in the military.

The Combat Control Foundation is made up of dedicated members that are constantly helping veterans and their families with caring support for both physical and non-physical wounds. On the drop of a dime they send financial support or fundraise money to help wounded controllers or their families when needed.

The Combat Control Foundation is nothing short of life-changing! In 2017, they awarded me a scholarship that enabled me to purchase essential school supplies for my masters studies, and the impact has been immeasurable.

The foundations dedication to supporting aspiring scholars like myself is truly remarkable. The scholarship eased my financial burdens and allowed me to focus on my studies without the worry of how to cover the cost of necessary supplies.

Beyond providing educational support to military dependents, the CCF’s commitment to assisting those who serve our country and their families is nothing short of exceptional. Their tireless efforts in providing scholarships, resources, and support to veterans, active-duty personnel, and their loved ones is truly inspiring. The CCF assists in times of crisis and tragedy, aids in recovery, supports educational opportunities, and preserves the history of the community by organizing summer camps and teammate events, and developing fitting national memorials and monuments.

While I’m thankful for the financial help that I have received from CCT while attending graduate school, I’m even more thankful for an organization that puts the well-being of combat controllers and other military personnel and their families first. I have seen time and time again the CCT quickly pull together funds to assist combat controllers and their families in need, whether they lost a loved one in combat, an injury was sustained, and so on.

If I could I would give this organization more than 5 stars!

CCF is a great organization that is constantly helping the veterans (and families) with caring support for both physical and non-physical wounds. This past year, they put together a short-notice fundraiser to help a paralyzed veteran with much-needed assistance that he was asking for. Keep up the good work CCF

The Combat Control Foundation is funding over $49K in education scholarships. Thanks to the CCF, 11 future leaders are getting some help with their dreams!

Ben (SMSgt CCT Retired) was hospitalized for an unexpected emergency while visiting family out of state. We had to fly to him and then fly out children and Ben’s mom home for school and caregiving and the CCT foundation was able to help us fly them home. The CCT Foundation POC Mike W.
Stayed in touch with me throughout the most difficult time in our lives and was eager to help. Knowing we had someone with resources who was eager to help was a relief in our time of need. We also were linked up with someone who is also a member of the CCT foundation who helped us to charter a plane because Ben was not well enough to fly commercial at the time. We are extremely thankful for the CCT Foundation. Furthermore, Ben is doing great!