The 1970's Tactical Air Control System (TACS)

The TACTICAL AIR Control System (TACS) was a highly complex system devised to provide command and control for air operations.  TACS provided the organization and equipment necessary to plan, direct, and control tactical air operations,   and   to   coordinate   joint   operations   with components of other military services.

The TACS was composed of operational elements which, due to their mobility and flexibility, permitted tailoring to large or small-scale operations in varying levels of warfare.  Each element may have had its own operating location or may have shared an operating location.  

Organization of the TACS.

The major functions performed by a TACS are:

a. Command planning and direction — AFCCP/TACC
b. Aircraft control and warning (AC&W) — CRC, CRP, FACP
c. Direct   air   support   coordination   and   control — DASC/TACP
d. Air traffic regulation — TAB/TATCF, CRC
e. Airborne airstrike coordination and control
f. Ground target sensor surveillance.
g. Tactical airlift.

The 407L TACS program provided the equipment that formed the first four of these functions.
Note: Some Air National Guard (ANG) units were not equipped with 407L equipment. They performed the same mission, but utilized a variety of other "manual" equipment to perform the mission. These differences will be noted where appropriate.

As you can see from the organizational chart and the preceding paragraph, much of the discussion of the TACS will involve the use of acronyms. The following is a list and links of units together with their usual acronyms.

Air Force component command post (AFCCP) (Group)

Tactical air control center (TACC)

Control and reporting center (CRC)

Control and reporting post (CRP)

Forward air control post (FACP)

Tactical air base (TAB)

Terminal air traffic control facility (TATCF)

Direct air support center (DASC)

Tactical air control party (TACP)