The Air Force Special Operations (AFSOC) was established as an independent command at Hurlburt Field, FL. on May 22, 1990. Its mission is to provide unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, counterterrorism, and support to foreign friendly governments.
AFSOC is composed of the 16th Special Operations Wing (Hurlburt Field, FL.), the 352d Special Operations Group (Alconbury AB, UK), the 353d Special Operations Group (Kadena AB, Okinawa), the 720th Special Tactics Group (Hurlburt Field, FL.), the USAF Special Operations School (Hurlburt Field, FL.), the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center (Hurlburt Field, FL.), a special tactics group (Hurlburt Field, FL.), the 919th Special Operations Wing (Reserves at Duke Field, FL.), and the 193d Special Operations Group (Air National Guard at Harrisburg, PA.). Combined, these units have an active duty strength of approximately 8,596 personnel, of which 1,322 are officers and 7,274 are enlisted. The active component is augmented by 2,493 reservists and 465 civilians, giving AFSOC a total strength of 11,554 people.
The Special Operations units are equipped with a variety of unique and unusual aircraft. They fly 18 AC-130A/H Spectre gunships, 37 MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters, 10 MH-60 Pave Hawk Helicopters, 2 NCH-53, 14 MC-130H Combat Talon I, 18 MC-130H Combat Talon II, 11 C-130A/E/H, 5 EC-130 Volant Solo, and 23 HC-130 Combat Shadow aircraft.
These high-tech marvels are designed specifically to insert special forces troops into unfriendly environments. The long-range aircraft are equipped with a variety of the latest state-of-the-art electronics that allow them to detect, avoid, orjam enemyelectronic detecting equipment. Many of the aircraft, such as the AC-130, also bristle with armament that can suppress and destroy enemy defenses.
The pilots are all highly professional, superbly trained individuals, adroit at flying low-level, all-weather, nocturnal, deep penetration missions into enemy territory with ease. The pilots and aircraft combined allow AFSOC to deliver specialized combat power anywhere, anytime. The bad guys, if they're lucky, may think they hear the sound of an airplane...just before they die.
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