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Air Commandos field Predators

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lauren Johnson
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  May 31 marked a historic day for Air Force Special Operations Command as the 3rd Special Operations Squadron, located at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., absorbed equipment and personnel from Air Combat Command. 

The 3rd SOS currently employs the MQ-1 Predator in support of Special Operations Forces in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. 

The new equipment and personnel will accelerate the squadron's capability to perform 24-hour Predator combat air patrols. 

"We doubled in strength and tripled in capacity overnight," said Lt. Col. Paul Caltagirone, who assumed command of the 3rd SOS from Lt. Col. Gary McCollum during the ceremony. 

Colonel McCollum served as the first 3rd SOS commander since the squadron's reactivation at Nellis in 2005. 

"When we first got here, we were told, 'I don't know what you have to do, but it's vital,'" Colonel McCollum said. 

The squadron quickly found their niche. 

The 3rd SOS is currently the sole armed remotely piloted aircraft squadron in AFSOC, and their Predators are the most highly requested intelligence asset in the Global War on Terrorism. 

"Not only have you created history, you've also rewritten special operations warfare," said Col. Mark Alsid, 1st Special Operations Group commander, who presided over the ceremony. "America needed you, and you delivered." 

"When you're fighting a network of terror, you have to understand a network of terror," Colonel McCollum said. He explained Predators bring "actionable intelligence" that helps promote this understanding and better enable Special Operations Forces to combat it. 

The May 31 ceremony, recognizing the vast growth of the squadron, is a testament to its increasing importance. 

The ceremony included a ceremonial patch swap from the ACC patch to the AFSOC patch, marking the official transfer of control from the 15th Reconnaissance Squadron to the 3rd SOS. 

"We now have the equipment and talent we need to go forward," Colonel Alsid said, motioning to an MQ-1 Predator static display serving as an appropriate backdrop to the ceremony. 

Colonel Caltagirone is excited about what the future holds for his squadron. 

"Gird your loins and grab your swords!" he said, adding that the 3rd SOS stands rejuvenated and ready to serve "any time, any place."