The Tactical Air Control Party flash is worn by Air Liaison Officers (ALO) and members of Tactical Air Control Parties (TACP) on the black. ALOs wear rank insignia on the flash, while Enlisted TACP personnel wear the TACP crest on the flash.
Air Liaison Officers work with TACPs to direct joint firepower and are the primary Air Force advisors to the U.S. Army ground force commanders, as well as to commanders of joint, multinational, and special operations ground forces, integrating air, cyber, and space power to achieve the joint mission.
The use of berets in the Air Force began with Tactical Air Control Party personnel, who were authorized to wear black berets in 1979; a crest and flash were approved for all TACP Airmen in 1985.