View source for Air Force Special Operations Command

{{Short description|Air Force component of the U.S. Special Operations Command}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name = Air Force Special Operations Command
| image = Shield of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command.svg
| caption = Air Force Special Operations Command emblem
| dates = 10 February 1983 – present <br/>({{Age in years and months|1983|2|10}})<br/>{{collapsible list
| titlestyle = background:transparent;text-align:left;font-weight:normal;
| title = ''Detailed''
|22 May 1990 – present (as Air Force Special Operations Command) <br />10 February 1983 – 22 May 1990 (as 23d Air Force)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432605/air-force-special-operations-command-usaf/|title=Air Force Special Operations Command (USAF)|website=af.mil|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022032831/http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432605/air-force-special-operations-command-usaf/|archive-date=22 October 2017}}</ref>
}}
| country = {{flag|United States of America|23px}}
| branch = {{air force|USA}}
| type = [[List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force|Major Command]]
| role = "Provide our Nation’s specialized airpower, capable across the spectrum of conflict … Any Place, Any Time, Anywhere"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/162540/air-force-special-operations-command/|title=AFSOC "About Us"|publisher=afsoc.af.mil|access-date=11 January 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022085040/http://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/162540/air-force-special-operations-command/|archive-date=22 October 2017}}</ref>
| size = 17,967 personnel authorized:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/671462.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2 June 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322065309/http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/671462.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2016 }}</ref>
*15,724 military personnel
*2,243 civilian personnel
| command_structure = [[File:United States Special Operations Command Insignia.svg|23px]] [[United States Special Operations Command]]
| garrison = [[Hurlburt Field]], [[Florida]], U.S.
| garrison_label = Headquarters
| nickname = "Air Commandos"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/560215/air-commandos/|title=Air Commandos|website=af.mil|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022032312/http://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/560215/air-commandos/|archive-date=22 October 2017}}</ref>
| motto = "Any place. Any time. Anywhere"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1438372822949461&id=119105629988&refsrc=http://www.google.com/&_rdr|title=United States Air Force|website=m.facebook.com|access-date=4 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180504231502/https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1438372822949461&id=119105629988&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&_rdr|archive-date=4 May 2018}}</ref>
| battles = 
| decorations = [[File:AFOEA Streamer.jpg|200px]]<br/>[[Air Force Organizational Excellence Award]]<br/>[[File:US Air Force Outstanding Unit Award - Stremer.jpg|200px]]<br/>[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]]<ref name=AFSOCfacts>{{cite web|url=https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432605/air-force-special-operations-command-usaf/|last1=Bailey|first1=Carl E.|title=Factsheet Air Force Special Operations Command (USAF)|date=9 November 2010|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|url-status=live|access-date=30 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171022032831/http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432605/air-force-special-operations-command-usaf/|archive-date=22 October 2017}}</ref>
| website = {{URL|www.afsoc.af.mil}}
<!-- Commanders -->| commander1 = [[Lieutenant General (United States)|Lt Gen]] [[Michael E. Conley]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Bell|first=Lucelia|url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3824134/conley-promoted-to-lieutenant-general-ahead-of-afsoc-change-of-command/|title=Conley promoted to lieutenant general ahead of AFSOC change of command|date=2024-07-01|access-date=2024-07-02|publisher=Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs|location=[[Hurlburt Field]], [[Florida]]|website=Air Force Special Operations Command}}</ref>
| commander1_label = Commander
| commander2 = [[Major General (United States)|Maj Gen]] [[Justin R. Hoffman]]
| commander2_label = Deputy Commander
| commander3 = [[Command chief master sergeant|CMSgt]] [[Courtney C. Freeman]]
| commander3_label = Command Chief Master Sergeant
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol = [[File:23 Air Force emblem (1983).png|150px]]
| identification_symbol_label = Twenty-Third Air Force shield (former) <small>(approved May 1983)</small><ref>{{cite book|url=https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6362694|title=Approved insignia for: 23rd Air Force|last1=Department of Defense. Department of the Navy. Naval Imaging Command. 1988-ca. 1993 (Predecessor)|last2=Department of Defense. Defense Audiovisual Agency (Predecessor)|last3=Department of Defense. American Forces Information Service. Defense Visual Information Center. 1994–|date=12 May 1983|access-date=4 May 2018|via=US National Archives Research Catalog|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107025239/https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6362694|archive-date=7 November 2017|series=Series: Combined Military Service Digital Photographic Files, 1921–2008}}</ref>
<!-- Aircraft -->| aircraft_attack = [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130J]], [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9]]
| aircraft_bomber = 
| aircraft_electronic = 
| aircraft_fighter = 
| aircraft_helicopter = 
| aircraft_helicopter_attack = 
| aircraft_helicopter_cargo = 
| aircraft_helicopter_multirole = 
| aircraft_helicopter_observation = 
| aircraft_helicopter_transport = 
| aircraft_helicopter_trainer = 
| aircraft_helicopter_utility = 
| aircraft_interceptor = 
| aircraft_patrol = 
| aircraft_recon = [[Pilatus U-28 Draco|U-28A]]
| aircraft_trainer = 
| aircraft_transport = [[PZL M28|C-145A]], [[Dornier 328|C-146A]], [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|CV-22B]]
| aircraft_tanker = [[Lockheed MC-130|MC-130J]]
| aircraft_general = 
}}

'''Air Force Special Operations Command''' ('''AFSOC'''), headquartered at [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida, is the [[Special forces|special operations]] component of the [[United States Air Force]]. An Air Force [[List of Major Commands of the United States Air Force|major command]] (MAJCOM), AFSOC is also the U.S. Air Force component command to [[United States Special Operations Command]] (USSOCOM), a unified combatant command located at [[MacDill Air Force Base]], Florida. AFSOC provides all Air Force [[Special Operations Forces]] (SOF) for worldwide deployment and assignment to regional unified combatant commands.

Before 1983, Air Force special operations forces were primarily assigned to the [[Tactical Air Command]] (TAC) and were generally deployed under the control of [[U.S. Air Forces in Europe]] (USAFE) or, as had been the case during the [[Vietnam War]], [[Pacific Air Forces]] (PACAF).  Just as it had relinquished control of the C-130 theater airlift fleet to [[Military Airlift Command]] (MAC) in 1975, TAC relinquished control of Air Force SOF to MAC in December 1982.

AFSOC was initially established on 10 February 1983 as Twenty-Third Air Force (23 AF), a subordinate [[numbered air force]] of MAC, with 23 AF headquarters initially established at [[Scott Air Force Base]], Illinois.  On 1 August 1987, 23 AF headquarters moved to [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida. AFSOC elements include [[United States Air Force Combat Control Team|Combat Controllers (CCT)]], [[United States Air Force Pararescue|Pararescuemen (PJ)]], [[United States Air Force Special Reconnaissance|Special Reconnaissance (SR)]], and [[United States Air Force Tactical Air Control Party|Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)]].

==Predecessor USAAF and USAF special operations units==
===World War II===

* [[1st Special Operations Wing|1st Air Commando Group]]: Late 1943 – November 1945
* [[Operation Carpetbagger]]: Early 1944 – July 1945<ref>{{cite web|url=http://801492.org/index.html|title=The Carpetbagger Photographic Archives|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150307110001/http://801492.org/index.html|archive-date=7 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhwrAAhGM-A|title=Operation Carpetbagger: B-24s drop agents and supplies into occupied Europe in WW2|last=ZenosWarbirds|date=29 May 2013|via=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160127045837/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhwrAAhGM-A|archive-date=27 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="dtic.mil">{{cite web |url=http://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a234054.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308225821/http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a234054.pdf |archive-date=8 March 2016 }}</ref>

===Korean War===
* [[Air Resupply and Communications Service]]: 23 February 1951 – 12 October 1956
* [[Combined Command Reconnaissance Activities, Korea]]: December 1951 – December 1953
* [[6167th Air Base Group|B Flight, 6167th Operations Squadron]]: 1 April 1952 – 31 December 1953
* [[6004th Air Intelligence Service Squadron]]: c. March 1951 – 1955
* 6006th Air Intelligence Service Squadron: c. 1953–1955
* [[22nd Crash Rescue Boat Squadron]]: c. July 1952 – 1954
* [[Air Resupply And Communications Service|581st Air Supply and Communications Wing]]: July 1951 – September 1955
* [[Air Resupply And Communications Service|582nd Air Supply and Communications Wing]]
* [[480th Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Wing|580th Air Supply and Communications Wing]]<ref name="dtic.mil"/><ref>Haas, Michael E., "Apollo’s Warriors: US Air Force Special Operations during the Cold War", Air University Press, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1997, page 36.</ref>

===Early Cold War era===
* [[129th Rescue Wing|129th Air Resupply Group]]: April 1955 – c. 1975
* [[130th Airlift Group|130th Air Resupply Group]]: October 1955 – c. 1960
* [[135th Airlift Group|135th Air Resupply Group]]: August 1955 – c. 1971
* [[143d Airlift Wing|143rd Special Operations Group]]: November 1955 – 1975
* [[Air Resupply And Communications Service|1045th Observation, Evaluation, and Training Group]]: 23 February 1951 – 1 January 1954<ref name="dtic.mil"/><ref>Haas, ''Apollo's Warriors: U.S. Special Operations During the Cold War''</ref>

===Vietnam War era===
* [[1st Air Commando Group|Jungle Jim / 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron]]
* [[Farm Gate (military operation)|Farm Gate]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bhabassoc.org/forums/topic/a-26ab-26k-counter-invader-farm-gate-program/|title=Topic: A-26A/B-26K Counter Invader Farm Gate Program – Bien Hoa AB Association|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308115206/http://www.bhabassoc.org/forums/topic/a-26ab-26k-counter-invader-farm-gate-program/|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>
* Operation Waterpump
* [[Raven Forward Air Controllers]]
* [[Project 404]]
* [[Palace Dog]]
* [[56th Air Commando Wing]]<ref name="dtic.mil"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aircommandoman.tripod.com/|title=Nakhon Phanom During The Secret War 1962–1975|url-status=live|archive-url=http://archive.wikiwix.com/cache/20110223135133/http://aircommandoman.tripod.com/|archive-date=23 February 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.specialoperations.net/1SOWWW-77.htm|title=The Air Commando Association – Air Commando and Special Operations Combat|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003203405/http://www.specialoperations.net/1SOWWW-77.htm|archive-date=3 October 2015}}</ref>

===Late Cold War era===
* [[4400th Combat Crew Training Group]]
* [[1st Special Operations Wing]]
* [[Twenty-Third Air Force]]<ref name="dtic.mil"/><ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.afsoc.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/5046/Article/495017/air-force-special-operations-command-brief-history.aspx|title=Air Force Special Operations Command Brief History > Air Force Special Operations Command > Display|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308061747/http://www.afsoc.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/5046/Article/495017/air-force-special-operations-command-brief-history.aspx|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>

==Lineage==
* Established as [[Twenty-Third Air Force]] on 10 February 1983
: Activated on 1 March 1983
: Redesignated Air Force Special Operations Command and made a major command on 22 May 1990<ref name=AFSOCfacts/>

===Assignments===
* [[Military Airlift Command]], 1 March 1983
* [[United States Air Force]], 22 May 1990 – present<ref name=AFSOCfacts/>

===Stations===
* [[Scott AFB]], [[Illinois]], 1 March 1983
* [[Hurlburt Field]], [[Florida]], 1 August 1987 – present<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

===Components===
* Air Forces Special Operations Center (redesignated 623d Air and Space Operations Center): 13 December 2005 – 1 January 2008
* [[Twenty-Third Air Force]] (Air Forces Special Operations Forces): 1 January 2008 – 4 April 2013
* '''AFSOC Operations Center''': 4 April 2013 – present<ref name="afsoc.af.mil">[https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/story/id/123343128/ 23rd AF deactivates &#91;sic&#93;]{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} . Afsoc.af.mil. Retrieved on 21 July 2013.</ref>
* [[2nd Air Division]], 1 March 1983 – 1 February 1987
* [[Air Rescue Service|Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service]], 1 March 1983 – 1 August 1989
* [[Air Rescue Service]], 1 August 1989 – 1993
* '''[[1st Special Operations Wing]]''', 1 February 1987 – present
* '''[[24th Special Operations Wing]]''', 12 June 2012 – present
* '''[[27th Special Operations Wing]]''', 1 October 2007 – present
* 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, 1 October 1983 – 1 August 1989
* '''[[352nd Special Operations Wing]]''', 1 October 1983 – present
* '''[[353rd Special Operations Wing]]''', 6 April 1989 – present
* [[375th Airlift Wing|375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing]]: 1 January 1984 – 1 February 1990
* '''[[492nd Special Operations Wing]]''': 10 May 2017 – present
* [[720th Special Tactics Group]]: 1 October 1987 – Present
* [[724th Special Tactics Group]]: 29 April 2011 – Present
* 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing (later, 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing): 1 October 1983 – 21 May 1990
* USAF Special Operations School, 1 February 1987 – 22 May 1990
* [[Air Force Special Operations Training Center]], 8 October 2008 – 11 February 2013
* [[Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center]], 11 February 2013 – 10 May 2017<ref>[https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/story/id/123336024/ AFSOC stands up Air Warfare Center] . Afsoc.af.mil. Retrieved on 21 July 2013.</ref>
[[File:Air Force Special Operations Command OrBat.png|thumb|center|600px|Air Force Special Operations Command OrBat]]
{{Clear}}

==Units==
=== Air Force ===
[[File:6th Special Operations Squadron and aircraft.jpg|thumb|300px|Several U.S. and Russian-built aircraft of the <br/>Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center belonging to the 6th Special Operations Squadron]]
[[File:MH-53J_Pave_Low_Mission_Descent.jpg|thumb|300px|MH-53J ''Pave Low III'' helicopters near Hurlburt Field, circa 2001; upgraded to MH-53M ''Pave Low IV'' configuration, the last examples were retired from AFSOC service in late 2008 and replaced by the <br/>CV-22B ''Osprey'']]
[[File:AC-130U over Hurlburt Field.jpg|thumb|300px|AC-130U ''Spooky'' gunship over Hurlburt Field]]
[[File:MC-130_Combat_Talon_II.jpg|thumb|300px|MC-130H ''Combat Talon II'' infiltration/exfiltration and aerial refueling aircraft]]
[[File:MC-130J_on_the_tarmac_at_Lockheed_Martin_in_Marietta,_GA..jpg|thumb|300px|MC-130J ''Commando II'' aircraft on the tarmac at the Lockheed Martin / [[United States Air Force Plant 6|Air Force Plant 6]] facility at [[Dobbins ARB]], Georgia]]
[[File:EC-130J Commando Solo.JPG|thumb|300px|EC-130J ''Commando Solo III'' psychological warfare/information warfare aircraft]]

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

* '''[[1st Special Operations Wing]]''',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Fact-Sheets/Article/204524/1st-special-operations-wing/|title=1st SOW units|date=4 March 2015|access-date=25 May 2018|publisher=Hurlburt Field Public Affairs|language=en-US}}</ref> [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida
** '''1st Special Operations Group'''
*** [[4th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130J Ghostrider]]
*** [[8th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|CV-22B Osprey]]
*** [[15th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Lockheed MC-130|MC-130H Combat Talon II]]
*** [[34th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Pilatus U-28 Draco|U-28A]]
*** [[65th Special Operations Squadron]], [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]]
*** [[73rd Special Operations Squadron]], AC-130J Ghostrider<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.facebook.com/notes/hurlburt-field/hurlburt-field-reactivates-73d-sos-as-first-ever-ac-130j-gunship-squadron/1728735110495682/|title=Hurlburt Field reactivates 73d SOS|date=23 February 2018|access-date=25 May 2018|publisher=Hurlburt Field Public Affairs|language=en-US}}</ref>
*** [[319th Special Operations Squadron]], U-28A
* '''[[24th Special Operations Wing]]''',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/877959/24th-special-operations-wing.aspx|title=24th SOW units|date=20 February 2015|access-date=25 May 2018|publisher=24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs|language=en-US|archive-date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224124206/https://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/877959/24th-special-operations-wing.aspx|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida
** Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida
** '''[[720th Special Tactics Group]]''', Hurlburt Field, Florida
*** [[17th Special Tactics Squadron]], [[Fort Moore]], Georgia
*** [[21st Special Tactics Squadron]], [[Pope Army Air Field|Pope Field]], North Carolina
*** [[22nd Special Tactics Squadron]], [[Joint Base Lewis-McChord]], Washington
*** [[23rd Special Tactics Squadron]], Hurlburt Field, Florida
*** [[26th Special Tactics Squadron]], [[Cannon AFB]], New Mexico
** '''[[724th Special Tactics Group]]''', [[Pope Army Air Field|Pope Field]], North Carolina
*** [[24th Special Tactics Squadron]], Pope Field
* '''[[27th Special Operations Wing]]''',<ref>{{Cite news|title=27th Special Operations Group|url=http://www.cannon.af.mil/units/27th-Special-Operations-Group.aspx|date=1 January 2017|access-date=25 May 2018|publisher=24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs|language=en-US}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> [[Cannon AFB]], New Mexico
** '''[[27th Special Operations Group]]'''
*** [[3rd Special Operations Squadron]], MQ-9 Reaper
*** [[9th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Lockheed MC-130|MC-130J Commando II]]
*** [[12th Special Operations Squadron]], Expeditionary MQ-9 Reaper launch and recovery
*** [[16th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130W Stinger II]]
*** [[20th Special Operations Squadron]], CV-22B Osprey
*** [[33rd Special Operations Squadron]], MQ-9 Reaper
*** [[310th Special Operations Squadron]], U-28A
*** [[318th Special Operations Squadron]], U-28A
* '''[[352d Special Operations Wing]]''', [[RAF Mildenhall]], UK
** '''[[752d Special Operations Group]]'''
*** [[7th Special Operations Squadron]], CV-22B Osprey
*** [[67th Special Operations Squadron]], MC-130J Commando II
*** [[321st Special Tactics Squadron]]
* '''[[353d Special Operations Wing]]''', [[Kadena Air Base]], Japan
** [[1st Special Operations Squadron]], MC-130J Commando II<ref>{{cite web |last1=1st Lieutenant Douglas |first1=Renee |title=The 353rd SOG bids farewell to the Combat Talon II |url=https://www.353sow.af.mil/News/Stories/Article/2043762/the-353rd-sog-bids-farewell-to-the-combat-talon-ii/ |publisher=353rd Special Operations Group |access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>
** [[21st Special Operations Squadron]], at [[Yokota Air Base]] (CV-22B Osprey)<ref>{{cite web |title=Special operations Osprey squadrons stand up at US air base in Tokyo |url=https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/special-operations-osprey-squadrons-stand-up-at-us-air-base-in-tokyo-1.588311 |publisher=Stars and Stripes |access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>
** [[320th Special Tactics Squadron]]
* '''[[492d Special Operations Wing]]''', [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123336024 |title=AFSOC stands up Air Warfare Center |access-date=7 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508061532/http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123336024 |archive-date=8 May 2014 }}</ref>
** '''492d Special Operations Training Group'''
*** [[United States Air Force Special Operations School]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/Units/AirForceSpecialOperationsAirWarfareCenter.aspx|title=Air Force Special Operations Command > Units > Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304121352/http://www.afsoc.af.mil/Units/AirForceSpecialOperationsAirWarfareCenter.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016|access-date=7 March 2016}}</ref>
*** [[6th Special Operations Squadron]], U-28A, [[Duke Field]], Florida
*** [[17th Special Operations Squadron]], [[L3Harris OA-1K Skyraider II|OA-1K Skyraider II]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Air Force Special Operations Command accepts the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4146325/air-force-special-operations-command-accepts-the-first-missionized-oa-1k-skyrai/ |access-date=11 April 2025}}</ref>
*** [[18th Flight Test Squadron|18th Special Operations Test and Evaluation Squadron]]
*** [[19th Special Operations Squadron]], training AC-130U/J, MC-130H, U-28A crews
*** 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron, ground training
*** [[524th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Dornier 328|C-146A Wolfhound]], Duke Field, Florida
*** [[551st Special Operations Squadron]], [[Cannon AFB]], training AC-130W, MQ-9, MC-130J, CV-22B crews

=== Air National Guard ===
* '''[[137th Special Operations Wing]]''', [[Oklahoma Air National Guard]], [[Will Rogers Air National Guard Base]], Oklahoma<ref>{{cite web |title=137th Special Operations Wing Units |url=https://www.137sow.ang.af.mil/Units/ |publisher=137th Special Operations Wing |access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>
** '''[[137th Special Operations Group]]'''
*** [[185th Special Operations Squadron]], [[Beechcraft C-12 Huron|MC-12W Liberty]]
*** 138th Combat Training Flight, ground training
* '''[[193d Special Operations Wing]]''', [[Pennsylvania Air National Guard]], [[Harrisburg Air National Guard Base]], Pennsylvania<ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/162540/air-force-special-operations-command/|title=Air Force Special Operations Command > Home|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120215754/http://www.afsoc.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/140/Article/162540/air-force-special-operations-command.aspx|archive-date=20 January 2015}}</ref>
** '''193d Special Operations Group'''
*** [[193d Special Operations Squadron]], MC-130J

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:<ref name="ReferenceB"/>

* [[427th Special Operations Squadron]]
* [[123rd Special Tactics Squadron]], [[Kentucky Air National Guard]], [[Louisville Air National Guard Base]], Kentucky
* [[125th Special Tactics Squadron]], [[Oregon Air National Guard]], [[Portland Air National Guard Base]], Oregon
* [[150th Special Operations Squadron]], [[New Jersey Air National Guard]], New Jersey
* 209th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, [[Mississippi Air National Guard]], [[Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center]], Mississippi
* [[280th Special Operations Communications Squadron]], [[Alabama Air National Guard]], [[Dothan Regional Airport]], Alabama

=== Air Force Reserve Command ===
The [[Air Force Reserve Command]] units of Air Force Special Operations Command are:

* '''[[919th Special Operations Wing]]''', [[Duke Field]], Florida<ref>{{cite web |title=We are the 919th Special Operations Wing |url=https://www.919sow.afrc.af.mil/Units/ |publisher=919th Special Operations Wing |access-date=27 April 2020}}</ref>
** '''919th Special Operations Group'''
*** [[2nd Special Operations Squadron]], MQ-9 Reaper, [[Hurlburt Field]], Florida
*** [[5th Special Operations Squadron]], U-28A
*** [[711th Special Operations Squadron]], [[PZL M28 Skytruck|C-145A Skytruck]]
*** [[859th Special Operations Squadron]], C-146A Wolfhound

== Personnel and resources ==
[[File:Members of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command, assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron.jpg|thumb|Air Force Special Tactics Commandos<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.swsmuseum.org/swsm-admin/air-commandos-tip-spear/|website=SWS Heritage Center|title=Air Commandos At The Tip of the Spear}}</ref> training in Jordan]]
AFSOC has about 20,800 active-duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian personnel.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303630404577390333494738036 U.S. Seeks Faster Deployment; Smaller, More Flexible Special-Operations Teams Would Tackle Emerging Threats Under New Plan] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027003457/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303630404577390333494738036 |date=27 October 2017 }} 7 May 2012</ref>

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]]), [[Special Forces (United States Army)|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 [[List of United States Air Force special operations squadrons#Special Tactics Squadrons|Special Tactics Squadrons]] are led by [[Special Tactics Officer]]s (STOs). Special Tactics Squadrons combine [[Combat Control Team|Combat Controllers]], [[US Air Force Tactical Air Control Party|Tactical Air Control Party (TACP)]], [[United States Air Force Special Reconnaissance|Air Force Special Reconnaissance]], [[United States Air Force Pararescue|Pararescuemen (PJs)]] and [[combat rescue officer|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 rate]]s 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:<ref>[http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/library/ USAF Special Operations Command] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202011542/http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/library/ |date=2 February 2007 }} Official Site.</ref>
* [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130J Ghostrider / AC-130U Spooky II / AC-130W Stinger II]]
* [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey|CV-22B Osprey]]
* [[Boeing C-32|C-32 (Boeing 757)]]
* [[Lockheed EC-130|EC-130J Commando Solo III]]
* [[Lockheed MC-130|MC-130H Combat Talon II / MC-130J Commando II]]
* [[PZL M28|C-145A Skytruck]]
* [[Dornier 328|C-146A Wolfhound]]
* [[Cessna 208|C-208B Caravan]]
* [[Pilatus U-28 Draco|U-28A Draco]]
* [[General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper|MQ-9 Reaper]]
* [[RQ-11 Raven]]
* [[Boeing ScanEagle|Scan Eagle]]
* [[AeroVironment Wasp III|Wasp III]]

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:
* [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130E Hercules]]
* [[Antonov An-26|An-26 Curl]]
* [[C-47|C-47T Sky Train]]<!--do not delete, the 6th SOS flies it; see picture above (is the picture itself considered a valid reference?)-->
* [[CASA C-212 Aviocar|C-212 Aviocar]]
* [[CASA CN-235|CN-235-100]]
* [[Mil Mi-17|Mi-17 Hip]]
* [[UH-1N Twin Huey|UH-1H and UH-1N Huey]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/combat-aviation-advisors-the-6th-special-operations-squadron/|title=6th Special Operations Squadron – Defense Media Network|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054914/http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/combat-aviation-advisors-the-6th-special-operations-squadron/|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref>

=== Future ===
New [[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130J]] and [[Lockheed MC-130|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 2017<ref>[http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/18/224745/lockheed-martin-c-130j-selected-for-new-special-operations.html FlightGlobal.com: ''Lockheed Martin C-130J selected for new special operations role''] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080630214238/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2008/06/18/224745/lockheed-martin-c-130j-selected-for-new-special-operations.html|date=30 June 2008}}, by [[Stephen Trimble]], Washington DC, 18 June 2008; accessed: 20 February 2012</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104510/mc-130j-commando-ii/|title=MC-130J Commando II > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090221/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/104510/mc-130j-commando-ii.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/467756/ac-130j-ghostrider/|title=AC-130J Ghostrider > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308112038/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/FactSheets/Display/tabid/224/Article/467756/ac-130j-ghostrider.aspx|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>

==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 search and rescue|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.<ref name="dtic.mil"/>

====Operation Urgent Fury====
In October 1983, 23 AF helped [[Invasion of Grenada|rescue Americans from the island nation of Grenada]]. During the seven-day operation, centered at [[Point Salines Airport]], 23 AF furnished [[MC-130]]s, [[AC-130]]s, aircrews, maintenance, and support personnel. An [[EC-130]] from the [[193rd Special Operations Wing]] of the [[Air National Guard]] (ANG) also played a [[Psychological warfare|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Biographies/Display/Article/106751/major-general-james-l-hobson-jr/|title=MAJOR GENERAL JAMES L. HOBSON JR. > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308121933/http://www.af.mil/AboutUs/Biographies/Display/tabid/225/Article/106751/major-general-james-l-hobson-jr.aspx|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>

====U.S. Special Operations Command====
In May 1986, the [[Goldwater–Nichols Act|Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act]] led to the formation of the [[United States Special Operations Command]]. [[United States Senate|Senator]]s [[William Cohen]] and [[Sam Nunn]] introduced the Senate bill, and the following month Congressman [[Dan Daniel (politician)|Dan Daniel]] introduced a like measure in the [[United States House of Representatives|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.<ref name="dtic.mil"/>

====Operation Just Cause====
From late December 1989 to early January 1990, 23 AF participated in the invasion of the [[Republic of Panama]] during [[Invasion of Panama|Operation Just Cause]]. Special operations aircraft included both active duty [[AC-130|AC-130H]] and Air Force Reserve [[AC-130|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.<ref name="dtic.mil"/>

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 Wing|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.<ref name="dtic.mil"/>

On 22 May 1990, General [[Larry D. Welch]], USAF, the [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|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.<ref name="dtic.mil"/>

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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=16125 |title=Factsheets : 1 Special Operations Wing (AFSOC) |access-date=8 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315204216/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=16125 |archive-date=15 March 2016 }}</ref>

Meanwhile, the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center (SMOTEC), which explored [[heavy lift]] [[frontier]]s 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).{{citation needed|date=September 2023}}

====Gulf War====
From early August 1990 to late February 1991, AFSOC participated in [[Operation Desert Shield (Gulf War)|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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/643645/25th-anniversary-of-desert-storm/|title=25th Anniversary of Desert Storm|date=14 January 2016 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309020250/http://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/5003/Article/643645/25th-anniversary-of-desert-storm.aspx|archive-date=9 March 2016}}</ref>

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-130|AC-130A]] and [[AC-130|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threads/in-memory-of-spirit-03-jan-31-1991.19898/|title=In Memory Of "Spirit 03" Jan 31, 1991|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308122301/http://www.shadowspear.com/vb/threads/in-memory-of-spirit-03-jan-31-1991.19898/|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/565340/in-memory-of-spirit-03/|title=In memory of Spirit 03|date=4 February 2015 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308110150/http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/News/ArticleDisplay/tabid/4891/Article/565340/in-memory-of-spirit-03.aspx|archive-date=8 March 2016}}</ref>

=== 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]].<ref name="hurlburt.afaflorida.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.hurlburt.afaflorida.org/newsletters/AFSOC.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=8 March 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308212858/http://www.hurlburt.afaflorida.org/newsletters/AFSOC.pdf |archive-date=8 March 2016 }}</ref>

====Operation Enduring Freedom====
[[File:USAF CCT Bart Decker on horseback in Afghanistan 2001.png|thumb|right|Then-MSgt Bart Decker from the 23rd STS, on horseback in the [[Balkh]] valley, during the initial days of the [[U.S. invasion of Afghanistan]] in 2001.]]
The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon, Washington D.C., on [[11 September 2001 attacks|11 September 2001]] brought U.S. special operations forces to the forefront of the [[War on Terror|war against terrorism]]. By the end of September 2001, AFSOC deployed forces to Central Asia for [[War in Afghanistan (2001–present)|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.<ref name="hurlburt.afaflorida.org"/>

US Air Force Special Operations had a long-term presence in the Philippines during [[Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines]].<ref>Neville, Leigh, '' Special Forces in the War on Terror (General Military)'', Osprey Publishing, 2015 {{ISBN|978-1472807908}}, pp. 184–185</ref>

==== 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.<ref name="hurlburt.afaflorida.org"/>

==== 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1185993/us-air-force-special-tactics-trains-to-lead-build-partnership-in-jordan/#:~:text=S.%20Air%20Force%20Special%20Tactics%20Airman%20controls%20the,at%20King%20Abdullah%20II%20Special%20Operations%20Training%20Center. |title = US Air Force Special Tactics trains to lead, build partnership in Jordan > Air Force Special Operations Command > Article Display| date=18 May 2017 }}</ref>

==Commanders==

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! rowspan=2| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
! colspan=2| Commander
! colspan=3| Term
|-
! Portrait
! Name
! Took office
! Left office
! Duration
|-
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 1
| military_rank     = [[Major general (United States)|Major General]]
| image             = Brig Gen Thomas E. Eggers.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Thomas E. Eggers]]
| officeholder_sort = Eggers, Thomas E.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 22 May 1990
| term_end          = 20 June 1991
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1990|05|22|1991|06|20}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 2
| military_rank     = Major General
| image             = Bruce L. Fister.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Bruce L. Fister]]
| officeholder_sort = Fister, Bruce L.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 21 June 1991
| term_end          = 21 July 1994
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1991|06|21|1994|07|21}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 3
| military_rank     = Major General
| image             = James L. Hobson Jr.jpg
| officeholder      = [[James L. Hobson Jr.]]
| officeholder_sort = Hobson, James L. Jr.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 22 July 1994
| term_end          = 8 July 1997
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1994|07|22|1997|07|08}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 4
| military_rank     = Major General
| image             = Maj Gen Charles R. Holland.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Charles R. Holland]]
| officeholder_sort = Holland, Charles R.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 9 July 1997
| term_end          = 4 August 1999
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1997|07|09|1999|08|04}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 5
| military_rank     = [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant General]]
| image             = Lt Gen Maxwell C. Bailey.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Maxwell C. Bailey]]
| officeholder_sort = Bailey, Maxwell C.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 5 August 1999
| term_end          = 15 January 2002
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|1999|08|05|2002|01|15}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 6
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt Gen Paul V. Hester.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Paul V. Hester]]
| officeholder_sort = Hester, Paul V.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 16 January 2002
| term_end          = 30 June 2004
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2002|01|16|2004|06|30}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 7
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = LTGEN Michael W Wooley.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Michael W. Wooley]]
| officeholder_sort = Wooley, Michael W.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 1 July 2004
| term_end          = 26 November 2007
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2004|07|01|2007|11|26}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 8
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Donald C. Wurster.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Donald C. Wurster]]
| officeholder_sort = Wurster, Donald C.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 27 November 2007
| term_end          = 24 June 2011
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2007|11|27|2011|06|24}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 9
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = General Eric E Fiel.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Eric E. Fiel]]
| officeholder_sort = Fiel, Eric E.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 24 June 2011
| term_end          = 1 July 2014
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2011|06|24|2014|07|01}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 10
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Heithold 2016.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Bradley Heithold|Bradley A. Heithold]] 
| officeholder_sort = Heithold, Bradley A.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 1 July 2014
| term_end          = 19 July 2016
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2014|07|01|2016|07|19}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 11
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = LIEUTENANT GENERAL MARSHALL B. "BRAD" WEBB.JPG
| officeholder      = [[Marshall B. Webb]]
| officeholder_sort = Webb, Marshall B.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 19 July 2016
| term_end          = 28 June 2019
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2016|07|19|2019|06|28}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 12
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt. Gen. James C. Slife (2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[James C. Slife]]
| officeholder_sort = Slife, James C.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 28 June 2019
| term_end          = 9 December 2022
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2019|06|28|2022|12|09}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 13
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Lt. Gen. Tony D. Bauernfeind.jpg
| officeholder      = [[Tony D. Bauernfeind]]
| officeholder_sort = Bauernfeind, Tony D.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 9 December 2022
| term_end          = 2 July 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2022|12|09|2024|07|02}}
}}
{{Officeholder table
| order             = 14
| military_rank     = Lieutenant General
| image             = Brig Gen Michael E. Conley (2).jpg
| officeholder      = [[Michael E. Conley]]
| officeholder_sort = Conley, Michael E.
| officeholder_note = 
| born_year         = 
| died_year         = 
| term_start        = 2 July 2024
| timeinoffice      = {{ayd|2024|07|02}}
}}
|}

==Contingency operations==
{| class="wikitable" style="border:1px black"
|+Operations supported by Air Force Special Operations Forces since the Vietnam War.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.afsoc.af.mil/library/afsocheritage/index.asp |title= AFSOC Heritage |access-date=5 April 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319013250/http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/library/afsocheritage/index.asp |archive-date=19 March 2014 }}</ref>
|-
! Date(s) !! Operation
|-
| 1975 || [[Mayaguez incident]], Cambodia
|-
| 1975 || [[Operation Eagle Pull]], Cambodia
|-
| 1975 || [[Operation Frequent Wind]], Vietnam
|-
| 1976 || [[Operation Fluid Drive]], Lebanon
|-
| 1978 || Zaire Airlift
|-
| 1980 || [[Operation Eagle Claw]], Iran
|-
| 1981 || [[James L. Dozier#Kidnapping|Kidnapping of U.S. Army Brigadier General James Dozier]], Italy
|-
| 1981 || [[Gulf of Sidra incident (1981)|Gulf of Sidra incident]], Libya
|-
| 1983 || [[Operation Urgent Fury]], Grenada
|-
| 1983 || [[Operation Big Pine]], Honduras
|-
| 1983–1985 || [[Operation Bat]], Bahamas, Turks and Caicos
|-
| 1983–1988 || [[Operation Bield Kirk]], [[Operation Blue Flame]], [[Operation Blinking Light]], El Salvador
|-
| 1984 || Salvadorean President [[José Napoleón Duarte]]'s daughter kidnapping, El Salvador
|-
| 1985 || [[TWA Flight 847]] plane hijacking, Algeria/Lebanon
|-
| 1985 || [[Achille Lauro hijacking]], Mediterranean Sea
|-
| 1986 || [[Operation El Dorado Canyon]], Libya
|-
| 1986 || [[Pan Am Flight 73]] plane hijacking, Pakistan
|-
| 1987–1988 || [[Operation Earnest Will]], [[Operation Prime Chance]], Persian Gulf
|-
| 1988 || [[Operation Golden Pheasant]], Honduras
|-
| 1989 || [[Operation Safe Passage]], Afghanistan
|-
| 1989 || [[Operation Poplar Tree]], El Salvador
|-
| 1989 || [[1989 Philippine coup attempt]], Philippines
|-
| 1989 || [[Operation Just Cause]], Panama
|-
| 1990 || [[Operation Promote Liberty]], Panama
|-
| 1990 || Civilian evacuation, Liberia
|-
| 1990–1991 || [[Operation Desert Shield]], [[Operation Desert Storm]], Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq
|-
| 1991 || [[Operation Eastern Exit]], Somalia
|-
| 1991–2003 || [[Operation Provide Comfort]] I–III, [[Operation Northern Watch]], Turkey, Iraq
|-
| 1991 || [[Operation Sea Angel]], [[1991 Bangladesh cyclone]] relief, Bangladesh
|-
| 1991 || [[Operation Fiery Vigil]], Philippines
|-
| 1991 || [[Operation Desert Calm]], Saudi Arabia
|-
| 1991–2003 || [[Operation Southern Watch]], Kuwait
|-
| 1992 || [[Operation Silver Anvil]], Sierra Leone
|-
| 1992–1994 || [[Operation Provide Promise]] I–II, Italy, Yugoslavia
|-
| 1992–1993 || [[Operation Restore Hope]], Somalia
|-
| 1993–1995 || [[Operation Continue Hope]] I–III, Somalia
|-
| 1993 || [[Operation Deny Flight]], Yugoslavia
|-
| 1993 || [[Operation Silver Hope]], Ukraine
|-
| 1994 || [[Operation Restore Democracy]], [[Operation Uphold Democracy]], Haiti
|-
| 1994 || [[Operation Support Hope]], Rwanda
|-
| 1995 || [[Operation United Shield]], Somalia
|-
| 1995–1996 || [[Operation Deliberate Force]], [[Operation Joint Endeavor]], [[Operation Joint Guard]], Italy, Yugoslavia, Bosnia
|-
| 1996 || [[Search and Rescue]] support for [[1996 Croatia USAF CT-43 crash|U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown CT-43 crash]], Croatia
|-
| 1996 || [[Operation Assured Response]], evacuation, Liberia
|-
| 1996 || [[Operation Guardian Retrieval]], Uganda
|-
| 1996 || [[Operation Pacific Bridge]], Palau
|-
| 1996 || [[Operation Guardian Assistance]], Rwanda
|-
| 1997 || [[Operation Silver Wake]], evacuation, Albania
|-
| 1997 || [[Operation Guardian Angel]], Yugoslavia
|-
| 1997 || [[Operation Firm Response]], evacuation, Republic of Congo
|-
| 1997 || [[Operation High Flight]], Namibia
|-
| 1998 || Operation Desert Thunder, Persian Gulf
|-
| 1998 || [[Operation Desert Fox]], Iraq
|-
| 1999 || [[Operation Allied Force]], Serbia, Kosovo
|-
| 2000 || [[Operation Atlas Response]], [[2000 Mozambique flood|flood relief]], Mozambique
|-
| 2000 || [[Operation Fiery Relief]], volcano relief, Philippines
|-
| 2001 || [[Operation Valiant Return]], China
|-
| 2001–2014 || [[War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)]]
|-
| 2002 || [[Operation Autumn Return]], evacuation, Côte d'Ivoire
|-
| 2003 || [[Operation Shining Express]], evacuation, Liberia
|-
| 2003–2011 || [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]], Iraq
|-
| 2003–2008 || [[Operation Willing Spirit]], Colombia
|-
| 2004 || [[Operation Atlas Shield]], Greece
|-
| 2004 || [[Operation Secure Tomorrow]], Haiti
|-
| 2005–2005 || [[Operation Unified Assistance]], Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia
|-
| 2005 || [[Task Force Katrina]], [[Hurrican Katrina|hurricane relief]], United States
|-
| 2006 || evacuation, Lebanon
|-
| 2008 || [[Operation Aster Silver]], evacuation, Chad
|-
| 2008 || [[Operation Assured Delivery]], Georgia
|-
| 2008 || [[Operation Olympic Titan]], Pacific Ocean
|-
| 2010 || [[Operation Unified Response]], [[2010 Haiti earthquake|earthquake relief]], Haiti
|-
| 2011 || [[Operation Tomodachi]], [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami|earthquake and tsunami relief]], Japan
|-
| 2011 || [[Operation Odyssey Dawn]], Libya
|-
| 2013 || [[Operation Damayan]], [[Typhoon Haiyan|typhoon relief]], Philippines
|-
| 2014 || [[Operation Inherent Resolve]], Iraq, Syria, and Libya
|-
| 2015-2021 || [[Operation Freedom's Sentinel]], Afghanistan
|}

==Gallery==
<gallery class="center" widths="200px" heights="200px">
File:V-22 Osprey at Hurlburt Field.jpg|AFSOC's first CV-22B ''Osprey'' at sunset, Hurlburt Field, Florida
File:Combat Control Team on bikes.jpg|Combat Controllers practice seizing an airfield
File:Special Operations Weathermen training at Hurlburt Field.png|AFSOC Special Operations Weathermen
File:21 SOS 352D (6).png|MC-130P ''Combat Shadow'' aircraft expending flares
File:Defense.gov News Photo 100119-F-4177H-110.jpg|A PJ from the [[23rd Special Tactics Squadron|23rd STS]] searching for survivors of the [[2010 Haiti earthquake]] in [[Port-au-Prince]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Ground Mobility Vehicle – (US)SOCOM program]]
* [[V-22 Osprey]]
* [[Air Resupply And Communications Service]]<ref>Trest, Warren A., "Air Commando One: Heinie Aderholt And America's Secret Air Wars", Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., London, 2000, {{LCCN|99-053643}}, {{ISBN|978-1560988076}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==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}}.
* {{cite magazine|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0305commandos/|title=The Air Commandos|last=Hebert|first=Adam J.|date=March 2005|magazine=[[Air & Space Forces Magazine]]|volume=88|issue=3}}<!--|access-date=11 July 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250501002738/https://www.airandspaceforces.com/article/0305commandos/|archive-date=1 May 2025|url-status=live-->
* 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. [http://www.books24x7.com/marc.asp?bookid=32471 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}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://www.afsoc.af.mil/ Air Force Special Operations Command home page]—Official AFSOC public site
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120220035631/http://www.af.mil/information/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=156 AFSOC Factsheet] public site
* [https://www.af.mil/ United States Air Force] official website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090630120500/http://www.shadowspear.com/united-states-special-operations/air-force-special-operations/index.1.html ShadowSpear Special Operations: AFSOC]

{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{Air Force Special Operations Command}}
{{US Special Operations Forces}}

[[Category:Major commands of the United States Air Force|Special Operations Command]]
[[Category:Special operations commands of the United States Armed Forces]]
[[Category:United States Air Force Special Operations Command| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Florida]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1983]]
[[Category:Air force special forces units]]