AFSOC emblem

USAF Special Operations

United States Air Force Special Operations are carried out by a range of units with a number of different roles.

USAF Special Operations - Organization

USAF Special Operations come under control of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
Read more on AFSOC organization

Special Operations Squadrons

These Air Commandos operate fleets of specialised aircraft on 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
  M-28 Skytruck
  Q-200
  (non-standard aviation)
• BATMAV Micro Unmanned Aircraft System
• Desert Hawk Small Unmanned Aircraft System
• RQ-11 Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System
• Scan Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System
• UH-1N helicopter
  Anatov AN-26
  C-47
  Mi-8 helicopter
  (operated by the 6th Special Operations Squadron)

Special Tactics Squadrons

AFSOC Special Tactics are specialized ground units who are often integrated with other SOF units such as Special Forces, Rangers and SEALS.

more info : Special Tactics Squadrons

Tactical Air Control Parties

Elite Joint Terminal Attack Controllers with a dedicated squadron within AFSOC.

more info : Tactical Air Control Parties

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 - 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

• Air Force Special Operations Command
  (official AFSOC website)

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