Col. Joe Gross

Colonel Joe Gross is the Commander, 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida. The 720th STG organizes, trains, and equips ST forces to conduct Special Operations or order or enduringly in support of the Joint Force. The Group is comprised of six Special Tactics units encompassing over 900 Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, Special Reconnaissance, Tactical Air Control Party, Special Operations Surgical Teams, and Mission Support personnel.

Colonel Gross joined the Air Force in July of 1987. After basic training, he entered the Combat Control training and acquired advanced skills as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller, static line and freefall master parachutist, and a combat diver. In 2003, after 16 years as an enlisted Combat Controller, he graduated Officer Training School and was commissioned in the Air Force. His combat experience includes Operation JUST CAUSE, Panama, Operation DESERT STORM (Gulf War), and more recently, ten combat deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and other locations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. He has held numerous squadron, group, and wing leadership positions, which include two squadron commands. Prior to his current assignment, Colonel Gross was the Chief of the Special Tactics Division at HQ AFSOC Hurlburt Field, Florida