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  • image of an Air Force Special Tactics operator jumping out the back of an aircraft into the water

    23rd STS takes to the sky and water for RAMB training

    The 23rd STS is tasked with executing global access, personnel recovery, and precision strike missions. The squadron is unique in that its location in Florida lends itself to having water-rescue capabilities for any recovery involving military personnel. Air Force Special Tactics is considered the primary personnel recovery force for all of U.S. Special Operations Command. The ability to recover personnel, especially over water, requires complex training to develop confidence and competence for mission success. The 23rd STS sharpened this necessary skill set through over-the-water personnel recovery training, conducted here, Aug. 20-21.
  • U.S. Air Force Col. Jocelyn Schermerhorn, commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing, speaks during the FieldWerx military open event in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Aug. 24, 2020. The 1st SOW Project 1 Innovation Cell hosted base leadership to showcase how far the Innovation Cell has progressed while encouraging Airmen to utilize the FieldWerx space to generate inventive solutions to modern problems. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Robyn Hunsinger)

    1 SOW leadership attends FieldWerx military open

    The 1st Special Operations Wing Project 1 Innovation Cell held the FieldWerx military open event in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Aug. 24. The event showcased the FieldWerx Makerspace, provided through a partnership between the 1st SOW and the Hsu Educational Foundation to the base and local community leaders. “The ultimate goal of our FieldWerx space is to bring a culture of innovation to our Airmen and the local community,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Jocelyn Schermerhorn, commander of the 1st SOW. “This will provide a space for (school-age) students to learn about science, technology, engineering, and mathematics while providing our Airmen the space that they need to create novel solutions to problems that they face while executing our mission.”
  • U.S. Air Force Maj. Theresa Izell, commander of the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, stands in front of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 19, 2020. The mission of the 1st SOAMXS is to generate combat capability in the form of safe and reliable special mission aircraft such as the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Robyn Hunsinger)

    1st SOAMXS welcomes new commander

    U.S. Air Force Maj. Theresa Izell took command of the 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 19, 2020. The mission of the 1st SOAMXS is to generate combat capability in the form of safe and reliable special mission aircraft such as the AC-130J Ghostrider gunship.
  • A survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist with the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron educates 1st Special Operations Wing aircrew members on characteristics of poisonous plants during combat survival training at Eglin Range, Florida, Aug. 13, 2020. Combat survival training ensures personnel maintain critical skills gained at formal SERE training courses, while in a simulated combat environment. CST provides personnel with the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in survival and recovery tactics, techniques and procedures, under field conditions, utilizing hands-on experiential training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Joseph Pick)

    SERE specialists instruct CST, ensuring Air Commandos remain deployable any time, anyplace

    A survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialist with the 1st Special Operations Support Squadron prepares combat survival training students at Eglin Range, Florida, Aug. 13, 2020. Combat survival training ensures personnel maintain critical skills gained at formal SERE training courses, while in a simulated combat environment. CST provides personnel with the opportunity to demonstrate proficiency in survival and recovery tactics, techniques and procedures, under field conditions, utilizing hands-on experiential training.
  • One man standing outside with a flag in the background.

    AFSOC Airman first in command to gain Sikh religious accommodation waiver

    On June 7, 2020, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Dominic Varriale, a geospatial intelligence analyst with the 11th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron, became the first member of Air Force Special Operations Command to gain a religious accommodations waiver. He accomplished this by way of the SAVA, who helped guide him through the process from start to finish.
  • Photo of a baby holding a block in front of a wall in a room

    1st SOSFS establishes family room amidst COVID-19

    Air Commandos with the 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron created a family room for their personnel amidst Coronavirus Disease 2019. The room gives members a safe, clean, and quiet place to tend to their children’s needs.
  • U.S. Air Force Col. Anthony Babcock, commander of the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Group, (left) hands a guidon to U.S. Air Force Maj. Clayton Seiler, incoming commander of the 1st Special Operations Munitions Squadron, during the 1st SOMUNS activation ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 8, 2020.

    First Munitions Squadron in AFSOC History

    Formerly with the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, the munitions flight distinguished themselves as a new squadron in the 1st Special Operations Wing. The 1st Special Operations Munitions Squadron activated July 8, 2020, and is the first munitions squadron in Air Force Special Operations Command history.
  • Retired U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Mark Benoit, a crew chief with the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, marshals AC-130U Spooky gunship 0510 out to its last flight at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 26, 2020

    4th SOS, AMU make history with AC-130U

    An AC-130U Spooky gunship named ‘Big Daddy’ made history by being the first Spooky to ever receive a black letter initial on its status page before a flight, June 18, 2020. This was a momentous accomplishment for Air Commandos in the 4th Special Operations Squadron and the 4th AMU.
  • White foam filling an aircraft hangar

    Air Commandos persevere during aircraft hangar emergency

    "Get everybody out!” Through complete chaos, those three words instantly popped into the head of U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. John Barron, a production superintendent with the 801st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, when the fire suppression system activated in the hangar he was supervising, unleashing high expansion foam in every direction.
  • Official photo of Lt. Col. Veronica Williams in service dress uniform

    505th Communications Squadron holds modified change of command ceremony

    On Friday, June 12th, due to COVID-19 precautions, the 505th Communications Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida, released a prerecorded change of command ceremony. The outgoing commander, Major Gilberto Perez, relinquished command to Lieutenant Colonel Veronica Williams. The ceremony was presided over by Colonel Shayne Yorton, commander of the 505th Combat Training Group, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
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