# @airforcespecialtactics on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/Bv7ZjQUHCTU
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/19757587-airforcespecialtactics-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/55856e790f.jpg
- **Posted:** 2019-04-06T20:50:14.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Air Force Special Tactics (@airforcespecialtactics) — https://gondola.cc/airforcespecialtactics

## Caption

#OTD in 2008, Staff Sgt. Zachary Rhyner, a #SpecialTactics combat controller, was awarded the Air Force Cross for his heroism while deployed to Afghanistan. 
Then Senior Airman Rhyner and his team were ambushed while climbing a 60-foot cliff to reach their objective. While enemy fire rained from every direction, Rhyner placed himself between the most immediate threats and provided suppressive fire while his fellow teammates were extracted. With a gunshot wound to his left leg, Rhyner controlled eight U.S. Air Force fighters and four U.S. Army helicopters. He directed more than 50 attack runs and repeated danger close #PrecisionStrikes, several within 100 meters of his position. 
Overall, the actions of this #AirCommando saved his element from being overrun during the intense 6 and a half hour battle. #FirstThere #CombatController #cct #AFSOC

## Stats

- **Views:** 0
- **Likes:** 1,206
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 8

## Tags

firstthere, aircommando, cct, afsoc, precisionstrikes, specialtactics, combatcontroller, otd

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