Air Force Special Operations Command - Wikipedia Air Force Special Operations Command Air Force Special Operations Command Shield of Air Force Special Operations Command Active 22 May 1990 -- present ( as Air Force Special Operations Command ) 10 February 1983 - 22 May 1990 ( as 23d Air Force ) ( 35 years, 1 month ) Country United States of America Branch United States Air Force Type Major Command Role `` Provide our Nation 's specialized airpower, capable across the spectrum of conflict... Any Place, Any Time, Anywhere '' Size 17,967 personnel authorized : 15,724 military personnel 2,243 civilian personnel Part of United States Special Operations Command Headquarters Hurlburt Field, Florida, U.S. Nickname ( s ) `` Air Commandos '' Motto ( s ) `` Any place. Any time. Anywhere '' Decorations Air Force Organizational Excellence Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Website www.afsoc.af.mil Commanders Commander Lt Gen Marshall B. Webb Deputy Commander Maj Gen Michael T. Plehn Command Chief CCM Gregory A. Smith Insignia Twenty - Third Air Force shield ( former ) ( approved May 1983 ) Aircraft flown Attack AC - 130U / W / J, MQ - 1B, MQ - 9 Reconnaissance U-28A Transport C - 145A, C - 146A, CV - 22B Tanker MC - 130H / P / J Air Force Special Operations Command ( AFSOC ), headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida, is the special operations component of the United States Air Force. An Air Force major command ( MAJCOM ), AFSOC is also the U.S. Air Force component command to United States Special Operations Command ( USSOCOM ), a unified combatant command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. AFSOC provides all Air Force Special Operations Forces ( SOF ) for worldwide deployment and assignment to regional unified combatant commands. Before 1983, Air Force special operations forces were primarily assigned to the Tactical Air Command ( TAC ) and were generally deployed under the control of U.S. Air Forces in Europe ( USAFE ) or, as had been the case during the Vietnam War, Pacific Air Forces ( PACAF ). Just as it had relinquished control of the C - 130 theater airlift fleet to Military Airlift Command ( MAC ) in 1975, TAC relinquished control of Air Force SOF to MAC in December 1982. AFSOC was initially established on 10 February 1983 as Twenty - Third Air Force ( 23 AF ), a subordinate numbered air force of MAC, with 23 AF headquarters initially established at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. On 1 August 1987, 23 AF headquarters moved to Hurlburt Field, Florida. Contents 1 Predecessor USAAF and USAF special operations units 1.1 World War II 1.2 Korean War 1.3 Early Cold War era 1.4 Vietnam War era 1.5 Late Cold War era 2 Lineage 2.1 Assignments 2.2 Stations 2.3 Components 3 Units 3.1 Air National Guard ( ANG ) units 3.2 Air Force Reserve Command ( AFRC ) units 3.3 Personnel and resources 3.4 Aircraft 3.4. 1 Current 3.4. 2 Future 4 History 4.1 Twenty - Third Air Force ( 23 AF ) 4.1. 1 Operation Urgent Fury 4.1. 2 U.S. Special Operations Command 4.1. 3 Operation Just Cause 4.1. 4 Gulf War 4.2 AFSOC 4.2. 1 Post-Gulf War 4.2. 2 Operation Enduring Freedom 4.2. 3 Operation Iraqi Freedom 5 Commanders 6 Contingency operations 7 Gallery 8 See also 9 References 10 Further reading 11 External links Predecessor USAAF and USAF special operations units World War II 1st Air Commando Group : Late 1943 -- November 1945 Operation Carpetbagger : Early 1944 -- July 1945 Korean War Air Resupply and Communications Service : 23 February 1951 -- 12 October 1956 Combined Command Reconnaissance Activities, Korea : December 1951 -- December 1953 B Flight, 6167th Operations Squadron : 1 April 1952 -- 31 December 1953 6004th Air Intelligence Service Squadron : c. March 1951 -- 1955 6006th Air Intelligence Service Squadron : c. 1953 -- 1955 22nd Crash Rescue Boat Squadron : c. July 1952 -- 1954 581st Air Supply and Communications Wing : July 1951 -- September 1955 582nd Air Supply and Communications Wing 580th Air Supply and Communications Wing Early Cold War era 129th Air Resupply Group : April 1955 -- c. 1975 130th Air Resupply Group : October 1955 -- c. 1960 135th Air Resupply Group : August 1955 -- c. 1971 143rd Special Operations Group : November 1955 -- 1975 1045th Observation, Evaluation, and Training Group : 23 February 1951 -- 1 January 1954 Vietnam War era Jungle Jim / 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron Farm Gate Operation Waterpump Raven Forward Air Controllers Project 404 Palace Dog 56th Air Commando Wing Late Cold War era 4400th Combat Crew Training Group 1st Special Operations Wing Twenty - Third Air Force Lineage Established as Twenty - Third Air Force on 10 February 1983 Activated on 1 March 1983 Redesignated Air Force Special Operations Command and made a major command on 22 May 1990 Assignments Military Airlift Command, 1 March 1983 United States Air Force, 22 May 1990 -- present Stations Scott AFB, Illinois, 1 March 1983 Hurlburt Field, Florida, 1 August 1987 -- present Components Air Forces Special Operations Center ( redesignated 623d Air and Space Operations Center ) : 13 Dec 2005 -- 1 Jan 2008 Twenty - Third Air Force ( Air Forces Special Operations Forces ) : 1 Jan 2008 -- 4 April 2013 AFSOC Operations Center : 4 April 2013 -- present 2d Air Division, 1 March 1983 -- 1 February 1987 Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, 1 March 1983 -- 1 August 1989 Air Rescue Service, 1 August 1989 - 1993 1st Special Operations Wing, 1 February 1987 -- present 24th Special Operations Wing, 12 June 2012 -- present 27th Special Operations Wing, 1 Oct 2007 -- present 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, 1 October 1983 -- 1 August 1989 352d Special Operations Wing, 1 October 1983 -- present 353d Special Operations Group, 6 April 1989 -- present 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing : 1 January 1984 -- 1 February 1990 492d Special Operations Wing : 10 May 2017 -- present 720th Special Tactics Group : 1 October 1987 -- 12 June 2012 724th Special Tactics Group : 29 Apr 2011 -- 12 June 2012 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing ( later, 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing ) : 1 October 1983 -- 21 May 1990 USAF Special Operations School, 1 February 1987 -- 22 May 1990 Air Force Special Operations Training Center, 8 October 2008 -- 11 February 2013 Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center, 11 February 2013 -- 10 May 2017 Units Air Force Special Operations Command OrBat Several U.S. and Russian - built aircraft of the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center belonging to the 6th Special Operations Squadron MH - 53J Pave Low III helicopters near Hurlburt Field, circa 2001 ; upgraded to MH - 53M Pave Low IV configuration, the last examples were retired from AFSOC service in late 2008 and replaced by the CV - 22B Osprey AC - 130U Spooky gunship over Hurlburt Field MC - 130H Combat Talon II infiltration / exfiltration and aerial refueling aircraft MC - 130J Commando II aircraft on the tarmac at the Lockheed Martin / Air Force Plant 6 facility at Dobbins ARB, Georgia EC - 130J Commando Solo III psychological warfare / information warfare aircraft AFSOC Operations Center, Hurlburt Field, Florida 23d Weather Squadron 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida 1st Special Operations Support Squadron 4th Special Operations Squadron, AC - 130U Spooky 8th Special Operations Squadron, CV - 22B Osprey 9th Special Operations Squadron *, MC - 130P Combat Shadow 9 SOS is a Geographically Separated Unit ( GSU ) at Eglin AFB, Florida 11th Intelligence Squadron Det 1, 11th Intelligence Squadron, is a GSU at Fort Bragg, North Carolina 15th Special Operations Squadron, MC - 130H Combat Talon II 23d Special Operations Weather Squadron 34th Special Operations Squadron, U-28A 319th Special Operations Squadron, U-28A 24th Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida 17th Special Tactics Squadron, Fort Benning, Georgia 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Field, North Carolina 22d Special Tactics Squadron, Joint Base Lewis - McChord, Washington 23d Special Tactics Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida 26th Special Tactics Squadron, Cannon AFB, New Mexico 720th Operations Support Squadron 724th Special Tactics Group, Pope Field ( former Pope AFB ), North Carolina 24th Special Tactics Squadron 724th Operations Support Squadron 724th Intelligence Squadron 724th Special Tactics Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon AFB, New Mexico 3d Special Operations Squadron, MQ - 1 Predator 16th Special Operations Squadron, AC - 130H Spectre 20th Special Operations Squadron, CV - 22B Osprey 27th Special Operations Support Squadron 33d Special Operations Squadron, MQ - 9 Reaper 43d Intelligence Squadron 56th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron 73d Special Operations Squadron, AC - 130W Stinger II 318th Special Operations Squadron, U-28A, C - 145A Skytruck 522d Special Operations Squadron, MC - 130J Commando II 524th Special Operations Squadron C - 146A 352d Special Operations Wing, RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom ( AFSOC support to USEUCOM, SOCEUR and USAFE ) 7th Special Operations Squadron, CV - 22B Osprey 67th Special Operations Squadron, MC - 130J Commando II 321st Special Tactics Squadron 353d Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan ( AFSOC support to USPACOM, SOCPAC and PACAF ) 1st Special Operations Squadron MC - 130H Combat Talon II 17th Special Operations Squadron MC - 130P Combat Shadow 320th Special Tactics Squadron 492d Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida 6th Special Operations Squadron, UH - 1N Iroquois, Mi - 8, C - 130E Hercules, An - 26, C - 47T 18th Flight Test Squadron Det 1, 18th Flight Test Squadron is a GSU at Edwards AFB, California 19th Special Operations Squadron, AC - 130U, MC - 130H 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron 551st Special Operations Squadron, AC - 130H, AC - 130W, MC - 130J 551 SOS is a GSU at Cannon AFB, New Mexico United States Air Force Special Operations School, Hurlburt Field, Florida Air National Guard ( ANG ) units 193d Special Operations Wing, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Harrisburg Air National Guard Base, Pennsylvania 193d Special Operations Squadron, EC - 130J Commando Solo III 150th Special Operations Squadron, New Jersey Air National Guard, McGuire AFB, New Jersey ; C - 32B AFSOC - gained ANG units aligned under AMC - gained or ACC - gained ANG wings 123d Special Tactics Squadron, Kentucky Air National Guard, Louisville ANGB, Kentucky 125th Special Tactics Squadron, Oregon Air National Guard, Portland ANGB, Oregon 137th Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, Michigan Air National Guard, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan 209th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron, Mississippi Air National Guard, Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center, Mississippi 280th Special Operations Communications Squadron, Alabama Air National Guard, Dothan Regional Airport ANGS, Alabama 107th Weather Flight, Michigan Air National Guard, Selfridge ANGB, Michigan 146th Weather Flight, Pennsylvania Air National Guard, Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station, Pennsylvania 181st Weather Flight, Texas Air National Guard, NAS Fort Worth JRB / Carswell Field, Texas Air Force Reserve Command ( AFRC ) units 919th Special Operations Wing, Eglin AFB Auxiliary Field # 3 / Duke Field, Florida 2d Special Operations Squadron ( GSU at Hurlburt Field, Florida ), MQ - 9 Reaper 5th Special Operations Squadron, U-28 711th Special Operations Squadron, C - 145A Skytruck Personnel and resources Air Force Special Tactics Commandos training in Jordan AFSOC has about 15,000 active - duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian personnel. The commander of AFSOC is Lieutenant General Bradley A. Heithold. Major General Eugene Haase is Vice Commander, and Chief Master Sergeant Matthew Caruso is the Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Force Special Operations Command. The command 's SOF units are composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable airmen who are equipped with specialized aircraft. These forces conduct global special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower, to infiltration, aviation foreign internal defense, exfiltration, resupply and aerial refueling of SOF operational elements. In addition to the pilots, combat systems officers, and enlisted aircrew who fly AFSOC 's aircraft, there is a highly experienced support force of maintenance officers and enlisted aircraft maintenance personnel who maintain these complex aircraft and their support systems, a cadre of premier intelligence officers and enlisted intelligence specialists well versed in special operations, as well as logisticians, security forces and numerous other support officers and personnel. Another aspect of AFSOC is Special Tactics, the U.S. Air Force 's special operations ground force. Similar in ability and employment to Marine Special Operations Command ( MARSOC ), U.S. Army Special Forces and U.S. Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Tactics personnel are typically the first to enter combat and often find themselves deep behind enemy lines in demanding, austere conditions, usually with little or no support. The command 's Special Tactics Squadrons are led by Special Tactics Officers ( STOs ). Special Tactics Squadrons combine Combat Controllers, Tactical Air Control Party ( TACP ), Special Operations Weather Technicians, Pararescuemen ( PJs ) and Combat Rescue Officers ( CROs ) to form versatile SOF teams. AFSOC 's unique capabilities include airborne radio and television broadcast for psychological operations, as well as combat aviation advisors to provide other governments military expertise for their internal development. Due to the rigors of the career field, Special Tactics ' year - long training is one of the most demanding in the military, with attrition rates between 80 and 90 percent. In an attempt to reduce the high attrition, Special Tactics is very selective when choosing their officers. Special Tactics Officers ( STO ) undergo a highly competitive process to gain entry into the Special Tactics career field, ensuring only the most promising and capable leaders are selected. STO leadership and role modeling during the difficult training reduces the attrition rate for enlisted trainees. STO selection is a two - phase process. Beginning with Phase One, a board of veteran STOs reviews application packages consisting of letters of recommendation, fitness test scores, and narratives written by the applicants describing their career aspirations and reasons for applying. Based on Phase One performance, about eight to 10 applicants are invited to the next phase. Phase Two is a weeklong battery of evaluations, ranging from physical fitness and leadership to emotional intelligence and personality indicators. At the end of Phase Two, typically two to four applicants are selected to begin the year - plus Special Tactics training pipeline. Aircraft Current AFSOC regularly operates the following aircraft : AC - 130H Spectre / AC - 130U Spooky II / AC - 130W Stinger II CV - 22B Osprey C - 32 ( Boeing 757 ) EC - 130J Commando Solo III MC - 130H Combat Talon II / MC - 130J Commando II / MC - 130P Combat Shadow C - 145A Skytruck C - 146A Wolfhound U-28A MQ - 1 Predator MQ - 9 Reaper RQ - 11 Raven Scan Eagle Wasp III Additionally, AFSOC, through its Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center, possess and operates a small number of the following aircraft for its special training mission and Aviation Foreign Internal Defense ( FID ) missions : C - 130E Hercules An - 26 Curl C - 47T Sky Train C - 212 Aviocar CN - 235 - 100 Mi - 17 Hip UH - 1H and UH - 1N Huey Future New AC - 130J and MC - 130J aircraft based on the Lockheed Martin KC - 130J Super Hercules tanker variant are being acquired and sent to certain AFSOC units. MC - 130J aircraft have already entered service while the AC - 130J continues developmental testing in preparation for an Initial Operational Capability ( IOC ) with AFSOC projected for FY 2017 History Twenty - Third Air Force ( 23 AF ) In December 1982, the Air Force transferred responsibility for Air Force special operations from Tactical Air Command ( TAC ) to Military Airlift Command ( MAC ). Consequently, in March 1983, MAC activated Twenty - Third Air Force ( 23 AF ) at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. This new numbered air force 's responsibilities included worldwide missions of special operations, combat rescue, weather reconnaissance and aerial sampling, security support for intercontinental ballistic missile sites, training of USAF helicopter and HC - 130 crewmen, pararescue training, and medical evacuation. Operation urgent fury In October 1983, 23 AF helped rescue Americans from the island nation of Grenada. During the seven - day operation, centered at Point Salines Airport, 23 AF furnished MC - 130s, AC - 130s, aircrews, maintenance, and support personnel. An EC - 130 from the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Air National Guard ( ANG ) also played a psy - war role. Lieutenant Colonel ( later Major General ) James L. Hobson, Jr., an MC - 130 pilot and commander of the 8th Special Operations Squadron, was later awarded the Mackay Trophy for his actions in leading the air drop on the Point Salines Airport. U.S. Special Operations Command In May 1986, the Goldwater - Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act led to the formation of the United States Special Operations Command. Senators William Cohen and Sam Nunn introduced the Senate bill, and the following month Congressman Dan Daniel introduced a like measure in the House of Representatives. The key provisions of the legislation formed the basis to amend the 1986 Defense Authorizations Bill. This bill, signed into law in October 1986, in part directed the formation of a unified command responsible for special operations. In April 1987, the DoD established the United States Special Operations Command ( USSOCOM ) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and Army GEN James J. Lindsay assumed command. Four months later, 23 AF moved its headquarters from Scott AFB to Hurlburt Field, Florida. In August 1989, Gen Duane H. Cassidy, USAF, CINCMAC, divested 23 AF of its non-special operations units, e.g., search and rescue, weather reconnaissance, etc. Thus, 23 AF served a dual role : still reporting to MAC, but also functioning as the air component to USSOCOM. Operation Just Cause From late December 1989 to early January 1990, 23 AF participated in the invasion of the Republic of Panama during Operation Just Cause. Special operations aircraft included both active duty AC - 130H and Air Force Reserve AC - 130A Spectre gunships, EC - 130 Volant Solo psychological operations aircraft from the Air National Guard, HC - 130P / N Combat Shadow tankers, MC - 130E Combat Talons, and MH - 53J Pave Low and MH - 60G Pave Hawk helicopters. Special tactics Combat Controllers and Pararescuemen provided important support to combat units. Spectre gunship crews of the 1 SOW earned the Mackay Trophy and Tunner Award for their efforts, with an Air Force Reserve AC - 130A Spectre crew from the 919th Special Operations Group ( 919 SOG ) earning the President 's Award. An active duty 1st SOW MC - 130 Combat Talon crew ferried the captured Panamanian President, Manuel Noriega, to prison in the United States. Likewise, the efforts of the 1 SOW maintenance people earned them the Daedalian Award. On 22 May 1990, General Larry D. Welch, USAF, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, redesignated Twenty - Third Air Force as Air Force Special Operations Command ( AFSOC ). This new major command consisted of three wings : the 1st, 39th and 353rd Special Operations Wings as well as the 1720th Special Tactics Group ( 1720 STG ), the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, and the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center. Currently, after major redesignations and reorganizations, AFSOC direct reporting units include the 16th Special Operations Wing, the 352nd Special Operations Group, the 353rd Special Operations Group, the 720th Special Tactics Group ( 720 STG ), the USAF Special Operations School and the 18th Flight Test Squadron ( 18 FLTS ). During the early 1990s a major reorganization occurred within AFSOC. The 1720 STG became the 720 STG in March 1992 ; the transfer of ownership of Hurlburt Field from Air Mobility Command ( AMC, and formerly MAC ) to AFSOC in October 1992, followed by the merger of the 834th Air Base Wing ( 834 ABW ) into the 1 SOW, which assumed host unit responsibilities. A year later the 1 SOW became the 16 SOW in a move to preserve Air Force heritage. Meanwhile, the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center ( SMOTEC ), which explored heavy lift frontiers in special operations capabilities, while pursuing better equipment and tactics development, was also reorganized. In April 1994, the Air Force, in an effort to standardize these types of organizations, redesignated SMOTEC as the 18th Flight Test Squadron ( 18 FLTS ). Gulf War From early August 1990 to late February 1991, AFSOC participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm, the protection of Saudi Arabia and liberation of Kuwait. Special tactics personnel operated throughout the theater on multiple combat control and combat rescue missions. Special operations forces performed direct action missions, combat search and rescue, infiltration, exfiltration, air base ground defense, air interdiction, special reconnaissance, close air support, psychological operations, and helicopter air refuelings. Pave Low crews led the helicopter assault on radars to blind Iraq at the onset of hostilities, and they also accomplished the deepest rescue for which they received the Mackay Trophy. MC - 130E / H Combat Talons dropped the BLU - 82, the largest conventional bombs of the war and, along with MC - 130P Combat Shadows, dropped the most psychological warfare leaflets, while AC - 130A and AC - 130H Spectre gunships provided valuable fire support and armed reconnaissance. However, the AC - 130 community also suffered the single greatest combat loss of coalition air forces with the shoot down of an AC - 130H, call sign Spirit 03, by an Iraqi SA - 7 Grail surface - to - air missile. All fourteen crew members aboard Spirit 03 were killed. AFSOC Post-gulf War In December 1992, AFSOC special tactics and intelligence personnel supported Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. In late 1994, AFSOC units spearheaded Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and in 1995 Operation Deliberate Force in the Balkans. Operation Enduring Freedom Then - MSgt Bart Decker from the 23rd STS, on horseback in the Balkh valley, during the initial days of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon, Washington D.C., on 11 September 2001 pushed the United States special operations forces to the forefront of the war against terrorism. By the end of September 2001, AFSOC deployed forces to southwest Asia for Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan to help destroy the al Qaeda terrorist organization and remove the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. AFSOC airpower delivered special tactics forces to the battle ground and they in turn focused U.S. airpower and allowed Afghanistan 's Northern Alliance ground forces to dispatch the Taliban and al Qaeda from Afghanistan. AFSOC personnel also deployed to the Philippines to help aid that country 's efforts against terrorism. US Air Force Special Operations had a long - term presence in the Philippines during Operation Enduring Freedom -- Philippines. Operation Iraqi Freedom In March 2003, AFSOC again deployed forces to southwest Asia this time in support of what would become Operation Iraqi Freedom -- the removal of Saddam Hussein and his Baathist government. The command 's personnel and aircraft teamed with SOF and conventional forces to quickly bring down Saddam Hussein 's government by May 2003. AFSOC forces continued to conduct operations in support of the new Iraqi government against insurgents and terrorists. Commanders AFSOC has had eleven commanders since its inception in 1990. List of AFSOC Commanders Name Tenure start Tenure End Maj Gen Thomas E. Eggers 22 May 1990 20 Jun 1991 Maj Gen Bruce L. Fister 21 Jun 1991 21 Jul 1994 Maj Gen James L. Hobson, Jr. 22 Jul 1994 8 Jul 1997 Maj Gen Charles R. Holland 9 Jul 1997 4 Aug 1999 Lt Gen Maxwell C. Bailey 5 Aug 1999 15 Jan 2002 Lt Gen Paul V. Hester 16 Jan 2002 30 Jun 2004 Lt Gen Michael W. Wooley 1 Jul 2004 26 Nov 2007 Lt Gen Donald C. Wurster 27 Nov 2007 24 Jun 2011 Lt Gen Eric E. Fiel 24 Jun 2011 1 Jul 2014 Lt Gen Bradley A. Heithold 1 Jul 2014 19 Jul 2016 Lt Gen Marshall B. Webb 19 Jul 2016 Incumbent Contingency Operations A PJ from the 23rd STS searching for survivors of the 2010 Haiti earthquake in Port - au - Prince Operations supported by Air Force Special Operations Forces since the Vietnam War. Date ( s ) Operation Mayaguez incident, Cambodia Operation Eagle Pull, Cambodia Operation Frequent Wind, Vietnam 1976 Operation Fluid Drive, Lebanon 1978 Zaire Airlift 1980 Operation Eagle Claw, Iran 1981 Kidnapping of U.S. Army Brigadier General James Dozier, Italy 1981 Gulf of Sidra incident, Libya Operation Urgent Fury, Grenada Operation Big Pine, Honduras 1983 -- 1985 Operation Bat, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos 1983 -- 1988 Operation Bield Kirk, Operation Blue Flame, Operation Blinking Light, El Salvador 1984 Salvadorean President José Napoleón Duarte 's daughter kidnapping, El Salvador 1985 TWA Flight 847 plane hijacking, Algeria / Lebanon 1985 Achille Lauro hijacking, Mediterranean Sea 1986 Operation El Dorado Canyon, Libya 1986 Pan Am Flight 73 plane hijacking, Pakistan 1987 -- 1988 Operation Earnest Will, Operation Prime Chance, Persian Gulf Operation Golden Pheasant, Honduras 1989 Operation Safe Passage, Afghanistan 1989 Operation Poplar Tree, El Salvador 1989 1989 Philippine coup attempt, Philippines 1989 Operation Just Cause, Panama 1990 Operation Promote Liberty, Panama 1990 Civilian evacuation, Liberia 1990 -- 1991 Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq 1991 Operation Eastern Exit, Somalia 1991 -- 2003 Operation Provide Comfort I -- III, Operation Northern Watch, Turkey, Iraq 1991 Operation Sea Angel, 1991 Bangladesh cyclone relief, Bangladesh 1991 Operation Fiery Vigil, Philippines 1991 Operation Desert Calm, Saudi Arabia 1991 -- 2003 Operation Southern Watch, Kuwait Operation Silver Anvil, Sierra Leone 1992 -- 1994 Operation Provide Promise I -- II, Italy, Yugoslavia 1992 -- 1993 Operation Restore Hope, Somalia 1993 -- 1995 Operation Continue Hope I -- III, Somalia 1993 Operation Deny Flight, Yugoslavia 1993 Operation Silver Hope, Ukraine 1994 Operation Restore Democracy, Operation Uphold Democracy, Haiti 1994 Operation Support Hope, Rwanda 1995 Operation United Shield, Somalia 1995 -- 1996 Operation Deliberate Force, Operation Joint Endeavor, Operation Joint Guard, Italy, Yugoslavia, Bosnia Search and Rescue support for U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ron Brown CT - 43 crash, Croatia Operation Assured Response, evacuation, Liberia Operation Guardian Retrieval, Uganda Operation Pacific Bridge, Palau Operation Guardian Assistance, Rwanda 1997 Operation Silver Wake, evacuation, Albania 1997 Operation Guardian Angel, Yugoslavia 1997 Operation Firm Response, evacuation, Republic of Congo 1997 Operation High Flight, Namibia 1998 Operation Desert Thunder, Persian Gulf 1998 Operation Desert Fox, Iraq 1999 Operation Allied Force, Serbia, Kosovo 2000 Operation Atlas Response, flood relief, Mozambique 2000 Operation Fiery Relief, volcano relief, Philippines Operation Valiant Return, China 2001 -- present Operation Enduring Freedom, Global War on Terror 2002 Operation Autumn Return, evacuation, Côte d'Ivoire 2003 Operation Shining Express, evacuation, Liberia 2003 -- 2011 Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq 2003 -- 2008 Operation Willing Spirit, Columbia Operation Atlas Shield, Greece Operation Secure Tomorrow, Haiti 2005 -- 2005 Operation Unified Assistance, Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia 2005 Task Force Katrina, hurricane relief, United States 2006 evacuation, Lebanon 2008 Operation Aster Silver, evacuation, Chad 2008 Operation Assured Delivery, Georgia 2008 Operation Olympic Titan, Pacific Ocean Operation Unified Response, earthquake relief, Haiti 2011 Operation Tomodachi, earthquake and tsunami relief, Japan 2011 Operation Odyssey Dawn, Libya 2013 Operation Damayan, typhoon relief, Philippines Gallery AFSOC 's first CV - 22B Osprey at sunset, Hurlburt Field, Florida Combat Controllers practice seizing an airfield AFSOC Special Operations Weathermen MC - 130P Combat Shadow aircraft punching flares See also United States Air Force portal Military of the United States portal V - 22 Osprey Air Resupply And Communications Service References Jump up ^ http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432605/air-force-special-operations-command-usaf/ Jump up ^ `` AFSOC `` About Us '' ``. afsoc.af.mil. Retrieved 11 January 2018. Jump up ^ http://www.gao.gov/assets/680/671462.pdf Jump up ^ http://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/560215/air-commandos/ Jump up ^ https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1438372822949461&id=119105629988&refsrc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2F&_rdr ^ Jump up to : Bailey, Carl E. ( November 9, 2010 ). `` Factsheet Air Force Special Operations Command ( USAF ) ''. Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved October 30, 2017. Jump up ^ http://www.afsoc.af.mil/About-Us/AFSOC-Senior-Leaders/ Jump up ^ Approved insignia for : 23rd Air Force ( May 12, 1983 ) National Archives Jump up ^ `` The Carpetbagger Photographic Archives ''. Jump up ^ ZenosWarbirds ( 29 May 2013 ). `` Operation Carpetbagger : B - 24s drop agents and supplies into occupied Europe in WW2 '' -- via YouTube. ^ Jump up to : http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a234054.pdf Jump up ^ Haas, Michael E., `` Apollo 's Warriors : US Air Force Special Operations during the Cold War '', Air University Press, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1997, page 36. Jump up ^ Haas, Apollo 's Warriors : U.S. Special Operations During the Cold War Jump up ^ `` Topic : A-26A / B - 26K Counter Invader Farm Gate Program - Bien Hoa AB Association ''. Jump up ^ `` Nakhon Phanom During The Secret War 1962 - 1975 ''. Jump up ^ `` The Air Commando Association - Air Commando and Special Operations Combat ''. ^ Jump up to : `` Air Force Special Operations Command Brief History > Air Force Special Operations Command > Display ''. ^ Jump up to : 23rd AF deactivates. Afsoc.af.mil. Retrieved on 2013 - 07 - 21. Jump up ^ AFSOC stands up Air Warfare Center Archived 17 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine... Afsoc.af.mil. Retrieved on 2013 - 07 - 21. Jump up ^ http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=15052 Jump up ^ AirForce-magazine.com : The SOF Makeover ( Air Force Special Operations Command 's aircraft and review ), by Marc V. Schanz, June 2010, Vol. 93, No. 6. Jump up ^ http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123336024 Jump up ^ `` Air Force Special Operations Command > Units > Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center ''. ^ Jump up to : `` Air Force Special Operations Command > Home ''. Jump up ^ U.S. Seeks Faster Deployment ; Smaller, More Flexible Special - Operations Teams Would Tackle Emerging Threats Under New Plan 7 May 2012 Jump up ^ `` MAJOR GENERAL EUGENE HAASE > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display ''. Jump up ^ `` CHIEF MASTER SERGEANT MATTHEW M CARUSO > Air Force Special Operations Command > Display ''. Jump up ^ USAF Special Operations Command Official Site. Jump up ^ `` 6th Special Operations Squadron - Defense Media Network ''. Jump up ^ FlightGlobal.com : Lockheed Martin C - 130J selected for new special operations role, by Stephen Trimble, Washington DC, 18 Jun 2008 ; accessed : 20 Feb 2012 Jump up ^ `` MC - 130J Commando II > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display ''. Jump up ^ `` AC - 130J Ghostrider > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display ''. Jump up ^ `` MAJOR GENERAL JAMES L. HOBSON JR. > U.S. Air Force > Biography Display ''. Jump up ^ Pike, John. `` Air Force Special Operations Command ''. Jump up ^ Pike, John. `` Hurlburt Field ''. Jump up ^ http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=16125 Jump up ^ Pike, John. `` 18th Flight Test Squadron ( 18th FLTS ) ''. Jump up ^ `` 25th Anniversary of Desert Storm ''. Jump up ^ `` In Memory Of `` Spirit 03 '' Jan 31, 1991 ``. Jump up ^ `` In memory of Spirit 03 ''. ^ Jump up to : http://www.hurlburt.afaflorida.org/newsletters/AFSOC.pdf Jump up ^ Neville, Leigh, Special Forces in the War on Terror ( General Military ), Osprey Publishing, 2015 ISBN 978 - 1472807908, p. 184 - 185 Jump up ^ `` Archived copy ''. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014. Retrieved 2014 - 04 - 05. Jump up ^ Trest, Warren A., `` Air Commando One : Heinie Aderholt And America 's Secret Air Wars '', Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C., London, 2000, Library of Congress card number 99 - 053643, ISBN 978 - 1 - 56098 - 807 - 6 Further reading Chinnery, Philip D. Any Time, Any Place : Fifty Years of the USAF Air Commando and Special Operations Forces, 1944 -- 1994. Annapolis, Md : Naval Institute Press, 1994. ISBN 1557500371 Haas, Michael E. Apollo 's Warriors : U.S. Air Force Special Operations During the Cold War. 2002, University Press of the Pacific, Honolulu. ISBN 9781410200099. Hebert, Adam J. `` The Air Commandos ''. Air Force Magazine, March 2005 ( vol. 88, no. 3 ). Marquis, Susan L. Unconventional Warfare : Rebuilding U.S. Special Operations Forces. Washington, D.C. : Brookings Institution, 1997. ISBN 0815754760 Pushies, Fred J. Deadly Blue Battle Stories of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command. New York : American Management Assoc, 2009. < http://www.books24x7.com/marc.asp?bookid=32471 >. ISBN 9780814413616 Sine, William F. Guardian Angel : Life and Death Adventures with Pararescue, the World 's Most Powerful Commando Rescue Force. Havertown, Pa : Casemate, 2012. ISBN 9781612001227 External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Air Force Special Operations Command. Air Force Special Operations Command home page -- Official AFSOC public site AFSOC Factsheet public site United States Air Force official website ShadowSpear Special Operations : AFSOC United States Air Force Leadership Secretary of the Air Force Under Secretary of the Air Force Chief of Staff Vice Chief of Staff Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Four - star generals House Armed Services Committee House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Senate Committee on Armed Services Senate Subcommittee on Airland Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces Structure Commands Reserve Air National Guard Field Operating Agencies Installations Direct Reporting Units District of Washington Operational Test and Evaluation Center USAF Academy Major Commands ACC AETC AFGSC AFMC AFRC AFSPC AFSOC AMC PACAF USAFE - AFA Numbered Air Forces First Second Third Fourth Fifth Seventh Eighth Ninth Tenth Eleventh Twelfth Fourteenth Seventeenth Eighteenth Nineteenth Twentieth Twenty - Second Twenty - Fourth Twenty - Fifth Air Forces Central Wings ANG Groups ANG Squadrons ANG Security Forces Civilian auxiliary : Civil Air Patrol Personnel and training Airmen Rank officers enlisted Specialty Code Aeronautical ratings Judge Advocate General 's Corps RED HORSE Security Forces Medical Service Chief of Chaplains Chief Scientist Training : Air Force Academy Officer Training School Reserve Officer Training Corps Basic Training Airman Leadership School SERE Fitness Assessment Uniforms and equipment Awards and decorations Badges Equipment Uniforms History and traditions History Aeronautical Division / Aviation Section / Division of Military Aeronautics / Army Air Service / Army Air Corps / Army Air Forces `` The U.S. Air Force '' Air Force Band Airman 's Creed Core Values Flag Symbol Memorial National Museum Women Airforce Service Pilots Air Force One Honor Guard Thunderbirds Service numbers United States Air Force portal Air Force Special Operations Command Bases Cannon Hurlburt Field Wings 1st SOW 24th SOW 27th SOW 150th SOW 193d SOW 352d SOW 919th SOW Groups 353d SOG 720th STG 724th STG Squadrons Operations 1st 2d 3d 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 15th 16th 17th 19th 20th 21st 22d 33d 34th 43d 49th 67th 71st 73d 193d 318th 319th 427th 512th 522d 524th 550th 551st 711th 919th Special Tactics 17th 21st 22d 23d 24th 26th 123d 125th 320th 321st other 18th Flight Test 23d Special Operations Weather United States Special Operations Command ( USSOCOM ) Portal : Military of the United States United States Army USASOC Units U.S. Army Special Forces Command U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School 75th Ranger Regiment 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment 4th Military Information Support Group 8th Military Information Support Group 95th Civil Affairs Brigade 528th Sustainment Brigade Types Special Forces Rangers Psychological Operations United States Marine Corps MARSOC Units Marine Raiders Marine Raider Support Group Marine Special Operations School Types United States Marine Corps Critical Skills Operator United States Navy NAVSPECWARCOM Units Naval Special Warfare Group 1 Naval Special Warfare Group 2 Naval Special Warfare Group 3 Naval Special Warfare Group 4 Naval Special Warfare Group 10 Naval Special Warfare Group 11 Naval Special Warfare Center Types Navy SEALs Special warfare combatant - craft crewmen United States Air Force AFSOC Units 1st Special Operations Wing 24th Special Operations Wing 27th Special Operations Wing 352d Special Operations Wing 353d Special Operations Group Types Pararescue Combat Control Team Special Operations Weather Technician Combat Rescue Officer Special Tactics Officer Special Mission Units JSOC DoD Joint Communications Unit Army 1st SFOD - Delta ( Delta Force ) Intelligence Support Activity Regimental Reconnaissance Company Navy Naval Special Warfare Development Group ( DEVGRU / SEAL Team Six ) Air Force 24th Special Tactics Squadron Theater Special Operations Commands SOCAFRICA SOCCENT SOCEUR SOCKOR SOCPAC SOCNORTH SOCSOUTH SOCJFCOM Source : SOCOM 2013 Fact Book Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Air_Force_Special_Operations_Command&oldid=835549956 '' Categories : Major commands of the United States Air Force Special operations commands of the United States Armed Forces United States Air Force Special Operations Command Military units and formations in Florida Military units and formations established in 1983 Air force special forces units Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links Use American English from June 2013 All Wikipedia articles written in American English Use dmy dates from May 2011 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Deutsch Español فارسی Français Italiano עברית 日本 語 Русский Українська 中文 3 more Edit links This page was last edited on 9 April 2018, at 11 : 11. 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Question: what are the special forces called in the air force
Answer: Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)