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Air Force Special Operations Command

An Airman assigned to the 31st Air Task Force fires a drone-defeating shotgun during counter-small unmanned aerial system defense training near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Aug. 7, 2026. The training enhanced the unit's ability to rapidly detect, track, and filter aerial objects in real time, ensuring early warning of potential airborne threats. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim)

31st ATF hosts AFSOC, 1 SOW leaders for drone defense demonstration

Staff Sgt. Ty Pilgrim
A U.S. Air Force MC-130J Commando II from the 352d Special Operations Wing is prepped for a mission during Exercise Northern Viking 26 at Akureyri International Airport, Iceland, Aug. 23, 2026.

352d SOW Sharpens High North Readiness at Northern Viking '26

Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Sutton
Thunder Dome is an annual innovation competition where Air Commandos pitch grassroots ideas to command leaders for capital funding to improve readiness and operational capabilities.

Submissions open for Thunder Dome 2027 Innovation Competition

Special Tactics Operators assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, watch a CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft assigned to the 8th Special Operations Squadron, take off from the Eglin Range Complex, Florida, Dec. 8, 2021. The 23rd Special Tactics Squadron conducted a large-scale humanitarian aid and disaster relief exercise involving approximately 300 participants designed to challenge ST Airmen with a complex tactical and leadership training environment they would encounter in a real-world humanitarian crisis. Special Tactics units perform austere air control, terminal attack control, personnel rescue and recovery, assault zone assessments, battlefield trauma care, direct action, and special reconnaissance across the spectrum of conflict and crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Carly Kavish)

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jedediah Parks and Senior Airman Sean Curtin, 16th Special Operations Squadron AC-130W Stinger II aerial gunners, operate an M137A1 105mm artillery cannon during live fire training over Spirit live fire range at Melrose Air Force Range, New Mexico, Jan. 31, 2022. The 16 SOS conducted a memorial flyover honoring Spirit 03, the last AC-130 gunship to be shot down during combat. The squadron also held a remembrance brief after the flights detailing the story of the aircrew and advancements made as a result of the loss of Spirit 03. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Drew Cyburt)

Air Force Special Tactics

Special Tactics Airmen are continuously adapting, and training in order to ensure mission success for the joint force.

Conley visited the 352d Special Operations Wing to assess operational readiness, engage with personnel, and reinforce the wing’s critical role in supporting specialized missions across the European theater, ensuring alignment with the command's strategic objectives.

During this conference, Wilsbach, Wolfe, and ACC senior leaders considered innovative solutions proposed by units, to help improve processes across the command.