John “Coach” Carney sits on a dirt bike surrounded by his combat control team outside desert tents.

published by USSOCOM, Tip of the Spear, April 2007, page 28

Meet

Col. John T. “Coach” Carney, USAF (Ret.)

John “Coach” Carney, the Father of Air Force Special Tactics, brought combat control and rescue onto one team.

Behind the Name

He slipped into Iran ahead of the hostage rescue force and buried runway lights in the desert. Later, he led the 1720th Special Tactics Group, preparing teams for combat. After retirement, he led the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, helping put fallen special operators’ children through college.

Desert One transport

Motorcycle for the landing-site survey

Brand X

Organized the covert special tactics uni

His book

No Room for Error

Warrior Foundation

Built its college scholarship program