OPFOR breaks ground on new facility

  • Published
  • By Jamie Haig
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 1st Special Operations Support Squadron's Range Support Flight broke ground on a new building Monday for their Opposition Forces section after their current facility was condemned.

The Opposing Force/Assault Zone Facility will be the new home to this detachment of the 1st SOSS.

"The building we're currently in was built in 1952 when this was Eglin Air Force Base Auxiliary Field 9, Camp Donald J. Hurlburt," said Maj. Samuel Osborne, 1st SOSS assistant director of operations. "We're excited about the new building."

The old building was condemned because of asbestos and previous storm damage. Some of the rooms are permanently padlocked to keep personnel out.

"Our new building isn't large. It will support about 13 people and equipment," Major Osborne said.

Major Osborne, the building project lead, said the building will be complete in November.

OPFOR works with Hurlburt Field Airmen in a variety of exercises - playing what the name indicates - opposition forces.

"OPFOR conducts a wide variety of air and ground training scenarios for the 1st Special Operations Group and other joint special forces teams," said Capt. Sean McBride, 1st SOSS range support assistant flight commander. "Our mission is to foster the 'train like we fight' mindset by providing the aircrew and ground teams with the most realistic training available.

"Jeff Morrison, the OPFOR section supervisor, has done a superior job providing Air Force Special Operations Command with the capability to conduct realworld training to meet mission objectives. Requests for OPFOR training have significantly increased over the years, and this new facility is a great addition for us to conduct business," the captain added.

Captain McBride also said that range support has recently acquired new advanced simulated surface-to-air threat equipment to utilize for aircrew training.