Name
Nico Rogers
USAF Combat Controller / Attached To 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion / Joint Fires Lane
Nico Rogers
Callsign: Thoap
Staff Sergeant / E-5 · USAF Combat Controller · Attached to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
Staff Sergeant Nico “Thoap” Rogers is recorded as a United States Air Force Combat Controller attached to the reconnaissance element. His profile centers on joint fires, terminal control, air-ground integration, combat control, communications, reconnaissance support, airborne and dive qualifications, and repeated overseas service with joint special operations elements.
Call Sign
Thoap
Current Rank / Grade
Staff Sergeant / E-5
Service
United States Air Force
Attached Unit
2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
Parent Lane
26th Special Tactics Squadron
Current Specialty
Combat Controller · Joint Terminal Control
Additional Qualifications
Joint Fires · Terminal Attack Control · Assault Zone Support · Marksmanship Instruction · Combat Instructor Lane · Reconnaissance Support
Combat Deployments
Afghanistan · More than five overseas rotations with joint special operations partners
Current Billet
- Attached Combat Controller
- Joint Fires / Terminal Control
- Reconnaissance Element Air-Ground Integration
Previous Billets Held
- 3/5 Infantry Battalion — Battalion JTAC
- 26th Special Tactics Squadron — Combat Control Lane
Profile Summary
Rogers’ profile is centered on USAF combat control support to a reconnaissance element. His record places him as an attached controller responsible for joint fires coordination, terminal control, assault-zone support, communications discipline, and air-ground integration for supported reconnaissance operations. His biography records a Southern California athletic background, a career-altering back injury, completion of the Air Force special warfare pipeline, and more than five overseas rotations alongside Army Special Forces and Navy SEAL elements.
Bio
Biography
Nico “Thoap” Rogers came out of the beach cities of Southern California, where he built his reputation through discipline, competition, and high school baseball. His performance on the field earned college scholarship opportunities and placed him on a path built around athletics, team accountability, and pressure-tested leadership.
A back injury ended those college opportunities before they could fully develop. Rather than step away from the standards that had shaped him, Rogers redirected that drive toward military service and enlisted in the United States Air Force on a special warfare contract.
After completing the two-year Air Force special warfare pipeline, Rogers entered the Combat Controller lane. His record identifies him with terminal control, joint fires, assault-zone support, communications discipline, and air-ground integration — the skill set required to move with ground forces while coordinating aircraft, fires, and battlefield effects in support of the mission.
Before being assigned to the current SOTF MISFIT roster, SSgt Rogers completed more than five overseas rotations with joint special operations partners, including Army Green Beret and Navy SEAL elements. That operational history is reflected in his current attachment to 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, where he supports the reconnaissance element as a USAF controller focused on joint fires, terminal attack control, and air-ground coordination.
Badges
Qualification Badges
Displayed in a service-neutral qualification sequence: airborne and diving qualification imagery appears before controller and marksmanship badges.
Airborne Qualified
Static Line and Military Free Fall qualification recorded on profile.
Dive Qualified
Marine Diver and Combatant Diver qualifications recorded on profile.
Joint Fires
Combat Controller and battalion JTAC support history recorded.
Rifle Expert
Marksmanship qualification image recorded with profile assets.
Awards
Decorations & Campaign Record
- National Defense Medal
- Global War on Terrorism Medal
- Afghanistan Campaign Medal
- Overseas Service Ribbon
- NATO Medal
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- Good Conduct Medal
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Bronze Star Medal
- Combat Instructor Ribbon
Unit Citation
Meritorious Unit Citation
Awarded to: 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion
For meritorious service while deployed with Special Operations Task Force MISFIT in Kunar and Helmand Provinces, Afghanistan, from 1 May 2025 to 1 September 2025.
Throughout this period, 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion demonstrated exceptional professionalism and unwavering dedication to mission accomplishment in a demanding and complex operational environment. The Battalion's Marines consistently executed a wide range of critical missions, including reconnaissance and surveillance patrols, direct action raids, and sensitive site exploitation, often under hazardous conditions and facing determined enemy resistance.
Their courageous actions and expert execution were instrumental in disrupting enemy networks, gathering critical intelligence, and supporting the overall success of Special Operations Task Force MISFIT operations. The unwavering commitment and superior performance of 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion reflect great credit upon its Marines and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the Department of the Navy.
SIGNED,
James P. Kilgore
Major · United States Marine Corps
Commanding Officer · Special Operations Task Force MISFIT
James P. Kilgore
Major · United States Marine Corps
Commanding Officer · Special Operations Task Force MISFIT