United States Air Force Special Operations
USAF Special Operations are carried out by a range of units with a number of different roles.
- Special Operations Squadrons
who operate specialised aircraft for a variety of missions
- AC-130H/U Gunship
- CV-22 Osprey
- EC-130J Commando Solo
- MC-130E/H Combat Talon I/II
- MC-130P Combat Shadow
- MC-130W Combat Spear
- MH-53J/M Pave Low
- MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
- U-28A
- BATMAV Micro Unmanned Aircraft System
- Desert Hawk Small Unmanned Aircraft System
- RQ-11 Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System
- Scan Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System
- Special Tactics Squadrons
specialized ground units (often integrated with other SOF units)
USAF Special Operations - Roles
- insertion/extraction/resupply of special operations forces (SOF)
- precision application of firepower
- reconnaissance
- calling in air power to hit ground targets
- combat search and rescue (CSAR)
USAF Special Operations - Organization
USAF Special Operations come under control of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
Read more on AFSOC organization
USAF Special Operations - Notable Operations
- 2001 - Operation Enduring Freedom
- 2003 - Iraq - Operation Iraqi Freedom
A USAF MC-130W Combat Spear aircraft prepares to refuel 2 MH-53J Pavelow III helicopters from the 20th Special Operations Squadron.
DoD photo by: SENIOR AIRMAN ALI E. FLISEK
USAF Links & Resources
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