The annular-return flow and the utility of small-scale, combustion-based actuators for its control are investigated experimentally. The annular return flow is generated by an axial primary round jet, which impinges normally on a bounded end wall of a concentric tube, subsequently reverses direction, and exits the tube in a countercurrent flow to the primary jet. The combustion-based actuator generates a momentary (pulsed) jet that is produced by the ignition of a mixture of gaseous fuel and oxidizer in a small (cubic centimeter scale) combustion chamber. The operating frequency and the phase can be continuously varied by independently controlling the flow rate of the fuel/oxidizer and the ignition frequency. Two radially-opposing actuators are mounted on the wall of the annular return tube and are used to trigger flow transients that alter the global flow through strong feedback. The characteristics of the baseline flow and the effects of actuation are investigated using particle image velocimetry (PIV) as well as static and unsteady pressure measurements. The baseline flow is highly unstable, exhibiting very high rates of flow recirculation. The actuator jet acts as an azimuthal obstruction deflecting the primary jet and causing it to flow around the actuator jet. Furthermore, the interaction of the primary jet with the actuator jets generates large-scale circulation domains.