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Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force component of the U.S. Special Operations Command

Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida, is the special operations component of the United States Air Force and a major command (MAJCOM). It serves as the Air Force component of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, providing Special Operations Forces (SOF) worldwide. Established in 1983 initially as the Twenty-Third Air Force, a subordinate numbered air force of Military Airlift Command and based at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, it moved to Hurlburt Field in 1987. AFSOC includes elite units such as Combat Controllers, Pararescuemen, Special Reconnaissance, and Tactical Air Control Party teams.

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Predecessor USAAF and USAF special operations units

World War II

Korean War

Early Cold War era

Vietnam War era

Late Cold War era

Lineage

Activated on 1 March 1983 Redesignated Air Force Special Operations Command and made a major command on 22 May 199014

Assignments

Stations

Components

Units

Air Force

The following list contains the flying and Special Tactics squadrons of the Air Force Special Operations Command:

Air National Guard

Additionally, the Air Force Special Operations Command would gain the following units from Air Mobility Command or Air Combat Command aligned Air National Guard wings:30

Air Force Reserve Command

The Air Force Reserve Command units of Air Force Special Operations Command are:

Personnel and resources

AFSOC has about 20,800 active-duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian personnel.32

The command's SOF units are composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable airmen who are equipped with specialized aircraft. These forces conduct missions ranging from precision application of firepower, to infiltration, aviation foreign internal defense, exfiltration, resupply and aerial refueling of SOF operational elements.

In addition to the pilots, combat systems officers, and enlisted aircrew who fly AFSOC's aircraft, there is a highly experienced support force of maintenance officers and enlisted aircraft maintenance personnel who maintain these complex aircraft and their support systems, a cadre of premier intelligence officers and enlisted intelligence specialists well versed in special operations, as well as logisticians, security forces and numerous other support officers and personnel.

Another aspect of AFSOC is Special Tactics, the U.S. Air Force's special operations ground force. Similar in ability and employment to Marine Special Operations Command (MARSOC), U.S. Army Special Forces and U.S. Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Tactics personnel are typically the first to enter combat and often find themselves deep behind enemy lines in demanding, austere conditions, usually with little or no support.

The command's Special Tactics Squadrons are led by Special Tactics Officers (STOs). Special Tactics Squadrons combine Combat Controllers, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP), Air Force Special Reconnaissance, Pararescuemen (PJs) and Combat Rescue Officers (CROs) to form versatile SOF teams. AFSOC's unique capabilities include airborne radio and television broadcast for psychological operations, as well as combat aviation advisors to provide other governments military expertise for their internal development.

Due to the rigors of the career field, Special Tactics' year-long training is one of the most demanding in the military, with attrition rates between 80 and 90 percent. In an attempt to reduce the high attrition, Special Tactics is very selective when choosing their officers. Special Tactics Officers (STO) undergo a highly competitive process to gain entry into the Special Tactics career field, ensuring only the most promising and capable leaders are selected. STO leadership and role modeling during the difficult training reduces the attrition rate for enlisted trainees.

STO selection is a two-phase process. Beginning with Phase One, a board of veteran STOs reviews application packages consisting of letters of recommendation, fitness test scores, and narratives written by the applicants describing their career aspirations and reasons for applying. Based on Phase One performance, about eight to 10 applicants are invited to the next phase. Phase Two is a weeklong battery of evaluations, ranging from physical fitness and leadership to emotional intelligence and personality indicators. At the end of Phase Two, typically two to four applicants are selected to begin the year-plus Special Tactics training pipeline.

Aircraft

Current

AFSOC regularly operates the following aircraft:33

Additionally, AFSOC, through the 492nd Special Operations Wing (as of 2017, and the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center previously), possess and operates a small number of the following aircraft for its special training mission and Aviation Foreign Internal Defense (FID) missions:

Future

New AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft based on the Lockheed Martin KC-130J Super Hercules tanker variant are being acquired and sent to certain AFSOC units. MC-130J aircraft have already entered service while the AC-130J continues developmental testing in preparation for an Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with AFSOC projected for FY 2017353637

History

Twenty-Third Air Force (23 AF)

In December 1982, the Air Force transferred responsibility for Air Force special operations from Tactical Air Command (TAC) to Military Airlift Command (MAC). Consequently, in March 1983, MAC activated Twenty-Third Air Force (23 AF) at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. This new numbered air force's responsibilities included worldwide missions of special operations, combat rescue, weather reconnaissance and aerial sampling, security support for intercontinental ballistic missile sites, training of USAF helicopter and HC-130 crewmen, pararescue training, and medical evacuation.38

Operation Urgent Fury

In October 1983, 23 AF helped rescue Americans from the island nation of Grenada. During the seven-day operation, centered at Point Salines Airport, 23 AF furnished MC-130s, AC-130s, aircrews, maintenance, and support personnel. An EC-130 from the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Air National Guard (ANG) also played a psy-war role. Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) James L. Hobson Jr., an MC-130 pilot and commander of the 8th Special Operations Squadron, was later awarded the Mackay Trophy for his actions in leading the air drop on the Point Salines Airport.39

U.S. Special Operations Command

In May 1986, the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act led to the formation of the United States Special Operations Command. Senators William Cohen and Sam Nunn introduced the Senate bill, and the following month Congressman Dan Daniel introduced a like measure in the House of Representatives. The key provisions of the legislation formed the basis to amend the 1986 Defense Authorizations Bill. This bill, signed into law in October 1986, in part directed the formation of a unified command responsible for special operations. In April 1987, the DoD established the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and Army GEN James J. Lindsay assumed command. Four months later, 23 AF moved its headquarters from Scott AFB to Hurlburt Field, Florida.

In August 1989, Gen Duane H. Cassidy, USAF, CINCMAC, divested 23 AF of its non-special operations units, e.g., search and rescue, weather reconnaissance, etc. Thus, 23 AF served a dual role: still reporting to MAC, but also functioning as the air component to USSOCOM.40

Operation Just Cause

From late December 1989 to early January 1990, 23 AF participated in the invasion of the Republic of Panama during Operation Just Cause. Special operations aircraft included both active duty AC-130H and Air Force Reserve AC-130A Spectre gunships, EC-130 Volant Solo psychological operations aircraft from the Air National Guard, HC-130P/N Combat Shadow tankers, MC-130E Combat Talons, and MH-53J Pave Low and MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. Special tactics Combat Controllers and Pararescuemen provided important support to combat units.41

Spectre gunship crews of the 1 SOW earned the Mackay Trophy and Tunner Award for their efforts, with an Air Force Reserve AC-130A Spectre crew from the 919th Special Operations Group (919 SOG) earning the President's Award. An active duty 1st SOW MC-130 Combat Talon crew ferried the captured Panamanian President, Manuel Noriega, to prison in the United States. Likewise, the efforts of the 1 SOW maintenance people earned them the Daedalian Award.42

On 22 May 1990, General Larry D. Welch, USAF, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, redesignated Twenty-Third Air Force as Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). This new major command consisted of three wings: the 1st, 39th and 353rd Special Operations Wings as well as the 1720th Special Tactics Group (1720 STG), the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, and the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center.43

Currently, after major redesignations and reorganizations, AFSOC direct reporting units include the 16th Special Operations Wing, the 352nd Special Operations Group, the 353rd Special Operations Group, the 720th Special Tactics Group (720 STG), the USAF Special Operations School and the 18th Flight Test Squadron (18 FLTS). During the early 1990s a major reorganization occurred within AFSOC. The 1720 STG became the 720 STG in March 1992; the transfer of ownership of Hurlburt Field from Air Mobility Command (AMC, and formerly MAC) to AFSOC in October 1992, followed by the merger of the 834th Air Base Wing (834 ABW) into the 1 SOW, which assumed host unit responsibilities. A year later the 1 SOW became the 16 SOW in a move to preserve Air Force heritage.44

Meanwhile, the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center (SMOTEC), which explored heavy lift frontiers in special operations capabilities, while pursuing better equipment and tactics development, was also reorganized. In April 1994, the Air Force, in an effort to standardize these types of organizations, redesignated SMOTEC as the 18th Flight Test Squadron (18 FLTS).

Gulf War

From early August 1990 to late February 1991, AFSOC participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, the protection of Saudi Arabia and liberation of Kuwait. Special tactics personnel operated throughout the theater on multiple combat control and combat rescue missions. Special operations forces performed direct action missions, combat search and rescue, infiltration, exfiltration, air base ground defense, air interdiction, special reconnaissance, close air support, psychological operations, and helicopter air refuelings. Pave Low crews led the helicopter assault on radars to blind Iraq at the onset of hostilities, and they also accomplished the deepest rescue for which they received the Mackay Trophy.45

MC-130E/H Combat Talons dropped the BLU-82, the largest conventional bombs of the war and, along with MC-130P Combat Shadows, dropped the most psychological warfare leaflets, while AC-130A and AC-130H Spectre gunships provided valuable fire support and armed reconnaissance. However, the AC-130 community also suffered the single greatest combat loss of coalition air forces with the shoot down of an AC-130H, call sign Spirit 03, by an Iraqi SA-7 Grail surface-to-air missile. All fourteen crew members aboard Spirit 03 were killed.4647

AFSOC

Post-Gulf War

In December 1992, AFSOC special tactics and intelligence personnel supported Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. In late 1994, AFSOC units spearheaded Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and in 1995 Operation Deliberate Force in the Balkans.48

Operation Enduring Freedom

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon, Washington D.C., on 11 September 2001 brought U.S. special operations forces to the forefront of the war against terrorism. By the end of September 2001, AFSOC deployed forces to Central Asia for Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan to help destroy the al Qaeda terrorist organization and remove the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. AFSOC aircraft delivered special tactics forces to the battle ground and they in turn focused U.S. airpower and allowed Northern Alliance ground forces to dispatch the Taliban and al Qaeda from Afghanistan. AFSOC personnel also deployed to the Philippines to help aid that country's efforts against terrorism.49

US Air Force Special Operations had a long-term presence in the Philippines during Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines.50

Operation Iraqi Freedom

In March 2003, AFSOC again deployed forces to the Middle East, this time in support of what would become Operation Iraqi Freedom – the removal of Saddam Hussein and his Baathist government. The command's personnel and aircraft teamed with SOF and conventional forces to quickly bring down Saddam Hussein's government by May 2003. AFSOC forces continued to conduct operations in support of the new Iraqi government against insurgents and terrorists.51

Interoperability and Multinational trainings

The USAFSOC takes part in the multinational trainings at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre in which it trains in multiple scenarios with partner nations in order to increase interoperability between partner forces.52

Commanders

No.CommanderTerm
PortraitNameTook officeLeft officeDuration
1Eggers, Thomas E.Major GeneralThomas E. Eggers22 May 199020 June 19911 year, 29 days
2Fister, Bruce L.Major GeneralBruce L. Fister21 June 199121 July 19943 years, 30 days
3Hobson, James L. Jr.Major GeneralJames L. Hobson Jr.22 July 19948 July 19972 years, 351 days
4Holland, Charles R.Major GeneralCharles R. Holland9 July 19974 August 19992 years, 26 days
5Bailey, Maxwell C.Lieutenant GeneralMaxwell C. Bailey5 August 199915 January 20022 years, 163 days
6Hester, Paul V.Lieutenant GeneralPaul V. Hester16 January 200230 June 20042 years, 166 days
7Wooley, Michael W.Lieutenant GeneralMichael W. Wooley1 July 200426 November 20073 years, 148 days
8Wurster, Donald C.Lieutenant GeneralDonald C. Wurster27 November 200724 June 20113 years, 209 days
9Fiel, Eric E.Lieutenant GeneralEric E. Fiel24 June 20111 July 20143 years, 7 days
10Heithold, Bradley A.Lieutenant GeneralBradley A. Heithold1 July 201419 July 20162 years, 18 days
11Webb, Marshall B.Lieutenant GeneralMarshall B. Webb19 July 201628 June 20192 years, 344 days
12Slife, James C.Lieutenant GeneralJames C. Slife28 June 20199 December 20223 years, 164 days
13Bauernfeind, Tony D.Lieutenant GeneralTony D. Bauernfeind9 December 20222 July 20241 year, 206 days
14Conley, Michael E.Lieutenant GeneralMichael E. Conley2 July 2024Incumbent342 days

Contingency operations

Operations supported by Air Force Special Operations Forces since the Vietnam War.53
Date(s)Operation
1975Mayaguez incident, Cambodia
1975Operation Eagle Pull, Cambodia
1975Operation Frequent Wind, Vietnam
1976Operation Fluid Drive, Lebanon
1978Zaire Airlift
1980Operation Eagle Claw, Iran
1981Kidnapping of U.S. Army Brigadier General James Dozier, Italy
1981Gulf of Sidra incident, Libya
1983Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada
1983Operation Big Pine, Honduras
1983–1985Operation Bat, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos
1983–1988Operation Bield Kirk, Operation Blue Flame, Operation Blinking Light, El Salvador
1984Salvadorean President José Napoleón Duarte's daughter kidnapping, El Salvador
1985TWA Flight 847 plane hijacking, Algeria/Lebanon
1985Achille Lauro hijacking, Mediterranean Sea
1986Operation El Dorado Canyon, Libya
1986Pan Am Flight 73 plane hijacking, Pakistan
1987–1988Operation Earnest Will, Operation Prime Chance, Persian Gulf
1988Operation Golden Pheasant, Honduras
1989Operation Safe Passage, Afghanistan
1989Operation Poplar Tree, El Salvador
19891989 Philippine coup attempt, Philippines
1989Operation Just Cause, Panama
1990Operation Promote Liberty, Panama
1990Civilian evacuation, Liberia
1990–1991Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq
1991Operation Eastern Exit, Somalia
1991–2003Operation Provide Comfort I–III, Operation Northern Watch, Turkey, Iraq
1991Operation Sea Angel, 1991 Bangladesh cyclone relief, Bangladesh
1991Operation Fiery Vigil, Philippines
1991Operation Desert Calm, Saudi Arabia
1991–2003Operation Southern Watch, Kuwait
1992Operation Silver Anvil, Sierra Leone
1992–1994Operation Provide Promise I–II, Italy, Yugoslavia
1992–1993Operation Restore Hope, Somalia
1993–1995Operation Continue Hope I–III, Somalia
1993Operation Deny Flight, Yugoslavia
1993Operation Silver Hope, Ukraine
1994Operation Restore Democracy, Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti
1994Operation Support Hope, Rwanda
1995Operation United Shield, Somalia
1995–1996Operation Deliberate Force, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Joint Guard, Italy, Yugoslavia, Bosnia
1996Search and Rescue support for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown CT-43 crash, Croatia
1996Operation Assured Response, evacuation, Liberia
1996Operation Guardian Retrieval, Uganda
1996Operation Pacific Bridge, Palau
1996Operation Guardian Assistance, Rwanda
1997Operation Silver Wake, evacuation, Albania
1997Operation Guardian Angel, Yugoslavia
1997Operation Firm Response, evacuation, Republic of Congo
1997Operation High Flight, Namibia
1998Operation Desert Thunder, Persian Gulf
1998Operation Desert Fox, Iraq
1999Operation Allied Force, Serbia, Kosovo
2000Operation Atlas Response, flood relief, Mozambique
2000Operation Fiery Relief, volcano relief, Philippines
2001Operation Valiant Return, China
2001–2014War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
2002Operation Autumn Return, evacuation, Côte d'Ivoire
2003Operation Shining Express, evacuation, Liberia
2003–2011Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq
2003–2008Operation Willing Spirit, Colombia
2004Operation Atlas Shield, Greece
2004Operation Secure Tomorrow, Haiti
2005–2005Operation Unified Assistance, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia
2005Task Force Katrina, hurricane relief, United States
2006evacuation, Lebanon
2008Operation Aster Silver, evacuation, Chad
2008Operation Assured Delivery, Georgia
2008Operation Olympic Titan, Pacific Ocean
2010Operation Unified Response, earthquake relief, Haiti
2011Operation Tomodachi, earthquake and tsunami relief, Japan
2011Operation Odyssey Dawn, Libya
2013Operation Damayan, typhoon relief, Philippines
2014Operation Inherent Resolve, Iraq, Syria, and Libya
2015-2021Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Afghanistan

See also

Further reading

  • Chinnery, Philip D. Any Time, Any Place: Fifty Years of the USAF Air Commando and Special Operations Forces, 1944–1994. Annapolis, Md: Naval Institute Press, 1994. ISBN 1557500371
  • Haas, Michael E. Apollo's Warriors: U.S. Air Force Special Operations During the Cold War. 2002, University Press of the Pacific, Honolulu. ISBN 978-1410200099.
  • Hebert, Adam J. "The Air Commandos"[usurped]. Air Force Magazine, March 2005 (vol. 88, no. 3).
  • Marquis, Susan L. Unconventional Warfare: Rebuilding U.S. Special Operations Forces. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution, 1997. ISBN 0815754760
  • Pushies, Fred J. Deadly Blue Battle Stories of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command. New York: American Management Assoc, 2009. Books24x7. ISBN 978-0814413616
  • Sine, William F. Guardian Angel: Life and Death Adventures with Pararescue, the World's Most Powerful Commando Rescue Force. Havertown, Pa: Casemate, 2012. ISBN 978-1612001227
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air Force Special Operations Command.

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