Established in May of 2017, the 492d Special Operations Wing is one of 4 active duty wings assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command. The 492 SOW is based at Hurlburt Field, Fla. with units also at Duke Field, Fla., Robins AFB, Ga., and Cannon AFB, NM.
The 492 SOW is responsible for the training and formal education of Air Force Special Operations Forces. The formal education includes professional development, language and cultural training, and SOF heritage. The 492 SOW is the lead for AFSOC’s Aviation Foreign Internal Defense program, Non-standard aviation program, command-level weapons and tactics, and operational testing in support of AFSOF throughout the world.
Vision: Multi-domain Air Commandos…globally engaged, shaping SOF airpower for the next generation.
Mission: Forge Air Commandos, Develop unique SOF capabilities, and Execute special operations core activities.
Priorities:
Shape Air Commandos through training, education and professional development to build a more ready, lethal, adaptive and resilient force.
Execute low-signature SOF mobility, special operations core activities by, with, and through partners and allies across the spectrum of conflict and provide persistent decision quality information.
Evolve the organization and capabilities through adaptation, innovation and modernization to ensure multi-domain relevance for the future.
Personnel and Resources:
The 492 SOW has more than 1,900 active duty, civil servant and contract employees. Additionally, the wing operates the C-145A Skytruck, C-146A Wolfhound, and the AC-208 Caravan.
Organization:
The 492 SOW is comprised of two groups, 11 squadrons and one detachment.
The following units are consolidated under the 492 SOW:
-492d Special Operations Wing, Detachment 1, Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
-492d Special Operations Group, Duke Field, Fla.
-6th Special Operations Squadron, Duke Field, Fla.
-492d Special Operations Support Squadron, Duke Field, Fla.
-524th Special Operations Squadron, Duke Field, Fla.
-592nd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, Duke Field, Fla.
-492d Special Operations Training Group, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
-492d Special Operations Training Group, Detachment 1, Duke Field, Fla.
-492d Special Operations Training Group, Detachment 2, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
-18th Special Operations Test and Evaluation Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
-19th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
-371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
-371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 1 Choctaw Field, Fla.
-492d Special Operations Advanced Capabilities Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
-492d Special Operations Training Support Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
-551st Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.
-U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
The 492 SOW operates under the Total Force Integration (TFI) concept as strengths of the active duty Air Force, the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Department of Defense civilians and contract personnel form an integrated training and education team dedicated to Forging Air Commandos, Developing unique SOF capabilities, and Executing special operations core activities. The following USAFR units operate under the TFI concept with the 492 SOW:
-5th Special Operations Squadron, unit from the 919 SOW, Hurlburt Field, Fla.
-711th Special Operations Squadron, unit from the 919 SOW, Duke Field, Fla.
-859th Special Operations Squadron, unit from 919 SOW, Duke Field, Fla.
-919th Special Operations Maintenance Group, unit from 919 SOW, Duke Field, Fla.
The wing provides mission qualification training in SOF aviation platforms including the AC-130J, AC-130W, MC-130J, MC-130H, U-28, MQ-9, C-145, C-146, C-208 as well as small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS), Combat Aviation Advisors, medical element personnel, and AFSOC Security Forces.
Point of Contact
492d Special Operations Wing, Public Affairs Office, 357 Tully Street
Hurlburt Field, FL 32544; DSN 579-5986 or (850) 884-5986; e-mail: 492SOW.PA.PA@us.af.mil
(Current as of December 2020)