Tactical Air Control Party TACP ser# 012 engraved: JLN 1984 Version 1 Air Force Challenge Coin

Tactical Air Control Party TACP

Special Operations

Bronze

Circa, 1984

Serial #012

Air Force Challenge Coin

Condition:  Used, and in good shape. It has some minor surface marks from handling/age. Please see pictures

This coin is 1 5/8 inches in diameter bronze challenge coin with a serrated edge, serial number 012.  It is a product of (RET) Lt Col. Don K. Phillips (DKP), 20th Special Forces Group Airborne, of Phillips Military Surplus.

Artist: TACP member Mitch Monroe is the artist and designer of this original TACP coin.  His 1984 design of this coin, was submitted to the US Air Force to be TACP's official beret crest.  In 1985, the US Air Force adopted his design for official wear by qualified TACP members.  On the challenge coin, the name "Duke" appears just below the TACP insignia as some kind of pseudo name for the artwork.  It is not on the official TACP occupational badge.

Documents 3 & 4 show the original artwork by Mitch Monroe, which was sent to Phillips Military Surplus to produce a diecast and mint the very first TACP Challenge Coin in 1984. 

NOTE:  Today, this challenge coin version is extremely rare. From 1984 to July 1991, TACP had 909 serrated edge coins minted from this die-cast.  TACP folks had serial numbers engraved on them by Lilian's Trophy Shop, on Yadkin Rd Fayetteville, North Carolina. The TACP community has a documented list of members and serial number of the first 370.  The serial numbered challenge coins are the most collectible, and hardest to find. We were fortunate enough to reunite one of these serial numbered coins with its original owner in 2016, 32 years after it was given out.

There was a quantity of 750 made in the 1991 with a smooth edge.

AFSOC Tactical Air Control Party

Being a conventional TACP is already a challenging and arduous task, but, couple that intensity with the demanding and specialized operations of the U.S. Army Rangers, Special Forces, and U.S. Navy SEALs and you'd be describing the mission of an AFSOC TACP.

AFSOC TACP members deploy with Special Operations Forces as Joint Terminal Attack Controllers. Integrating air combat power and surface fires into the ground scheme of maneuver, they enable dynamic, synergistic, and lethal firepower on today's battlefield.

AFSOC TACP motto: "100%, and then some"

AFSOC TACPs are composed of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) who provide terminal attack control and fire support expertise for all three Ranger Battalions, the 75th Ranger Regiment's Reconnaissance Company, U.S. Army Special Forces Operational Detachment A teams (ODAs), U.S. Navy SEAL Team platoons, and other Special Mission Units.

AFSOC TACPs are assigned to the 17th Air Support Operations Squadron at Ft. Benning and all four active duty CONUS Special Tactics Squadrons.

(REF:  TACP Wikipedia)