HomeNews

News Search

Results:
Tag: global access
Clear
  • A U.S. Air Force 127th Wing A-10 Thunderbolt II, with ground air traffic control and guidance provided by Special Tactics operators from the 24th Special Operations Wing, lands on a closed public highway Aug. 5, 2021 at Alpena, Mich., for the first time ever as part of a training exercise during Northern Strike 21. The joint training event tested part of the agile employment concept, focusing on projecting combat power from austere locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ridge Shan)

    AFSOC joins Michigan ANG, ACC in conducting historic highway landing

    ALPENA, Michigan-- Air Force Special Operations Command units, including Special Tactics Airmen from the 24th Special Operations Wing, as well as C-146A Wolfhound aircraft assigned to the 492nd and 919th Special Operations Wings, participated in the first ever intentional landing of modern aircraft on a U.S. highway Aug. 5, 2021 near Alpena, Michigan. The training event was conducted in conjunction with units from the Michigan Air National Guard as well as Air Combat Command. The joint effort helped to advance the Air Force’s agile combat employment tactics and better prepare forces for future operations.
  • We look down from above at a Special Tactics Operator applying a dressing to a victim's left arm during training.

    Special tactics ensures contingency response readiness during HA/DR exercise

    Air Force Special Tactics operators participated in a hurricane response exercise at Eglin Range, Florida, Oct. 27, 2020. The local humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise helped ST operators hone personnel recovery and global access skills in a training environment to ensure they’re prepared for real-world natural disasters and catastrophic events.
  • Air Force Special Tactics operators and simulated partner forces load a CV-22 Osprey,

    Special Tactics Airmen integrate combat capabilities during Commando Crucible

    Special Tactics teams successfully planned and executed Commando Crucible, a comprehensive 2-week exercise from June 18-July 3, 2020, which took place at both Hurlburt Field, Florida and Kinston, North Carolina.
  • 191115-F-CR035-1164.JPG

    Special Tactics Chief awarded Silver Star for countering overwhelming Afghan ambush

    What began as a typical reconnaissance patrol during a brisk November in Afghanistan quickly took a devastating turn for the worst. U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Chris Grove, a Special Tactics combat controller assigned as the 720th Special Tactics Group superintendent, delivered thousands of pounds of munition, securing the safety of his joint and partner forces, and now he’s receiving the Silver Star Medal.
  • 190718-F-SV792-0009.JPG

    Special Tactics partners with conventional forces and allies in USAFE-led Operation Rapid Forge

    Over 400 Airmen, including two Special Tactics troops from different units, joined forces with partner nations for Operation Rapid Forge, from July 8 to July 26, across the European theater. Operation Rapid Forge is a United States Air Forces in Europe-led mission to enhance readiness and tests the ability to function at locations other than main air bases. The mission is intended to enhance interoperability with NATO allies to improve combined capabilities.
  • 190526-F-CR035-1015.JPG

    NASCAR honors fallen Special Tactics Airman

    Family members and teammates of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin attend the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 Miles of Remembrance race on May 26, 2019, Concord, North Carolina. Elchin, a Special Tactics combat controller, was killed in action when his vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Ghazni Province, Afghanistan, Nov. 27, 2018, while deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Special Tactics operators are U.S. Special Operations Command’s tactical air-to-ground integration force and the Air Force’s special operations ground force leading global access, precision strike, personnel recovery, and battlefield surgery operations.
  • U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Airmen with the 24th Special Operations Wing perform avalanche training at Moran, Wyoming, Dec. 13, 2016. Special Operations Weather Team Airmen have been an integral piece of Special Tactics with unique training to conduct multi-domain reconnaissance and surveillance across the spectrum of conflict and crisis. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sandra Welch)

    Air Force transitions enlisted specialty, grows Special Tactics capabilities

    Enlisted Airmen have been analyzing weather since the very beginning of American military flight in 1917. Decades of hard-earned experience led to Special Operations Weather Team Airmen being designated with their own Air Force Specialty Code in 2008. By combining the core skills of Special Operation Forces with their meteorology skills, SOWTs have been a critical asset to the War on Terror. Alongside Special Tactics teammates from forward deployed locations, SOWTs would gather, assess, and interpret environmental data in order to forecast weather impacts to operations. In a location like Afghanistan, this was vital to successful air-ground operations.
  • U.S. Air Force Brig. General Claude K. Tudor Jr., commander of the 24th Special Operations Wing, relinquishes command on the back of an MC-130H Combat Talon II, Hurlburt Field, Florida, April 19, 2019.

    24th SOW commander relinquishes command, performs final military free fall jump

    Various leadership with Air Force Special Operations Command and the 24th Special Operations Wing perform a military free fall jump out of an MC-130H Combat Talon II at Hurlburt Field, Florida, April 19, 2019. U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Claude K. Tudor, Jr., former commander of the 24th SOW, relinquished command on the Talon II. Tudor has commanded the 24th SOW since March 2018, leading U.S. Special Operations Command's tactical air-to-ground integration force and the Air Force's special operations ground force in global access, precision strike, personnel recovery, and battlefield surgery operations.
RSS