U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

Czech Republic special operations forces and Airmen assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing participate in Close-Quarters Battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. CQB training prepares U.S. and allied forces to coordinate and execute ground movements in confined spaces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Ashton Hamby)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

Czech Republic special operations forces members inspect their weapons during close-quarters battle training for exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. EW Spiral is a recurring joint training that enables Air Commandos and NATO forces to collaborate effectively during real-world operations, if called upon, to ensure mission success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

Czech Republic special operations forces members participate in close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. CQB training prepares U.S. and allied special operators to engage threats in confined spaces like buildings or vehicles together, enhancing interoperability for potential real-world special operations missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member participates in close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. EW Spiral enables U.S. and allied forces to train side-by-side to enhance interoperability and build lethal capability that strengthens deterrence and prepares the force for real-world challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member participates in close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. EW Spiral enables U.S. and allied forces to train side-by-side to enhance interoperability and build lethal capability that strengthens deterrence and prepares the force for real-world challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

Czech Republic special operations forces members participate in close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. EW Spiral exercises CQB training to enhance speed, precision and teamwork when neutralizing threats in confined spaces, ensuring the U.S. and its allies are prepared to operate in high-risk environments together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member participates in close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. EW Spiral utilizes CQB training to enhance speed, precision and teamwork when neutralizing threats in confined spaces, ensuring the U.S. and its allies are prepared to operate in high-risk environments together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member pulls a balaclava over his face while participating in close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. CQB training prepares U.S. and allied special operators to engage threats in confined spaces like buildings or vehicles together, enhancing interoperability for potential real-world operations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

Weapons are propped against a wall for close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. EW Spiral brings U.S. and allied forces together to build lethal capability that strengthens deterrence and prepares the force for real-world challenges. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member poses for a portrait after participating in close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. The 1st Special Operations Wing and NATO Allies routinely participate in EW Spiral to bolster interoperability, refine tactics and increase lethality. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Ashton Hamby)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member holds a breaching shotgun at the low-ready position during close-quarters battle training during exercise Emerald Warrior Spiral at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 8, 2026. CQB training prepares U.S. and allied forces to coordinate and execute ground movements in confined spaces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Ashton Hamby)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member uses a radio to communicate during Emerald Warrior Spiral on Eglin Range, Florida, June 11, 2026. The joint exercise provided Air Commandos assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing and NATO partners the opportunity to develop communication skills and refine tactics for locating and neutralizing enemy threats, enhancing interoperability for special operations missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Stein)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

Czech Republic special operations forces members participate in Emerald Warrior Spiral on Eglin Range, Florida, June 11, 2026. The joint training provided Air Commandos assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing and NATO partners the opportunity to develop communication skills and refine tactics for locating and neutralizing enemy threats, enhancing interoperability for special operations missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Stein)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member scans their surroundings during a live-fire training during Emerald Warrior Spiral on Eglin Range, Florida, June 11, 2026. NATO allies regularly train alongside Air Commandos assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing to strengthen interoperability through realistic air and ground mission coordination. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Stein)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A Czech Republic special operations forces member observes an AC-130J Ghostrider strike during Emerald Warrior Spiral on Eglin Range, Florida, June 11, 2026. The training brought 1st Special Operations Wing Air Commandos and NATO allies together to synchronize air support tactics, ensuring both forces can operate seamlessly during future joint missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Stein)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

A drone is used for security scans during Emerald Warrior Spiral on Eglin Range, Florida, June 11, 2026. During the joint training, ground forces used drones to scan their surroundings and locate threats, enhancing special operations forces capabilities across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Stein)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

An AC-130J Ghostrider assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing strikes a training target during Emerald Warrior Spiral on Eglin Range, June 11, 2026. Emerald Warrior Spiral is a recurring 1 SOW and NATO partner training preparing U.S. and allied special operations forces to locate and track enemy targets on the ground and coordinate Air Force Special Operations Command air support to neutralize threats, enhancing interoperability for real-world missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Stein)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

Air Commandos assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing and Czech Republic special operations forces members participate in live-fire training on Eglin Range, Florida, June 11, 2026. The joint training exercise, Emerald Warrior Spiral prepared U.S. and allied special operations forces to locate and track enemy targets on the ground and coordinate Air Force Special Operations Command air support to neutralize threats, enhancing interoperability for real-world missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aidan Stein)

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U.S., Czech Republic SOF participate in EW Spiral

Published July 2, 2026
By Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim, A1C Aidan Stein, Amn Ashton Hamby
1 SOW/PA

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --

Air Commandos assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing and Czech Republic special operations forces members participate in exercise EW Spiral on Eglin Range, Florida, June 11, 2026. The joint training exercise, Emerald Warrior Spiral prepared U.S. and allied special operations forces to locate and track enemy targets on the ground and coordinate Air Force Special Operations Command air support to neutralize threats, enhancing interoperability for real-world missions.