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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. An 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 Combat Controllers (CCT), Pararescuemen (PJ), Special Reconnaissance (SR), and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).

AFSOC has about 20,800 active duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian personnel. The command's SOF units are composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable airmen who are equipped with specialized aircraft. These forces conduct global special operations 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.

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 2017

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.

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. 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).

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. 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.

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.

The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon, Washington D. C., on 11 September 2001 pushed the United States special operations forces to the forefront of the war against terrorism. By the end of September 2001, AFSOC deployed forces to southwest Asia for Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan to help destroy the al Qaeda terrorist organization and remove the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. AFSOC airpower delivered special tactics forces to the battle ground and they in turn focused U. S. airpower and allowed Afghanistan's 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.

In March 2003, AFSOC again deployed forces to southwest Asia 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.

AFSOC has had eleven commanders since its inception in 1990. No. (Number) Commander Term Portrait Name Took office Left office Duration

+Operations supported by Air Force Special Operations Forces since the Vietnam War. 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 Kidnapping of U. S. Army Brigadier General James Dozier, Italy 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 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, flood relief, Mozambique 2000 Operation Fiery Relief, volcano relief, Philippines 2001 Operation Valiant Return, China 2001–2014 Operation Enduring Freedom, Global War on Terror 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, 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, earthquake relief, Haiti 2011 Operation Tomodachi, earthquake and tsunami relief, Japan 2011 Operation Odyssey Dawn, Libya 2013 Operation Damayan, typhoon relief, Philippines 2014 Operation Inherent Resolve, Iraq, Syria, and Libya 2015 2021 Operation Freedom's Sentinel, Afghanistan