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  • Forward Area Refueling Point aircrew members with the 27th Special Operations Wing refuel an F-22 Raptor with the 3rd Wing from an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Jan. 30, 2020. This was considered the first-ever simulated Forward Area Refueling Point for F-22 Raptors in an extreme cold weather environment. Emerald Warrior 20-1 provides annual, realistic pre-deployment training encompassing multiple joint operating areas to prepare special operations forces, conventional force enablers, partner nations, and interagency elements to integrate with and execute full spectrum special operations in an arctic climate, sharpening U.S. forces’ abilities to operate around the globe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ridge Shan)

    Special Tactics operators simulate first-ever extreme cold weather FARP with next generation fighters

    For the first time, aircrew with the 27th Special Operations Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, along with a team of Special Tactics Airmen carried out a simulated FARP for F-22 Raptors assigned to Pacific Air Forces’ 3rd Wing in an extreme cold weather environment during Emerald Warrior at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, January 21-31.
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Jim Slife, commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, pins the Silver Star Medal onto U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Chris Grove, a Special Tactics combat controller assigned as the 720th Special Tactics Group superintendent, during a ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Nov. 15, 2019. Grove was awarded the nation’s third highest medal against an armed enemy of the United States in combat for his actions while deployed to Afghanistan in November 2007. Grove was originally awarded the Bronze Star with Valor, but his award package was reviewed and resubmitted for an upgrade. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rachel Williams)

    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.
  • U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Jon "AJ" Ciechomski, Special Tactics officer.

    Special Tactics Officer passes after battle with cancer

    U.S. Air Force Capt. Andrew Jon "AJ" Ciechomski, 27, a Special Tactics officer with the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, died after a battle with cancer at home with his family in St. Clairesville, Ohio, Wednesday.
  • U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Peter Kraines, a Special Tactics pararescueman with the 24th Special Operations Wing, died while performing mountain rescue techniques in Boise, Idaho, Oct. 8, 2019. As a Special Tactics pararescueman, Kraines was specially trained and equipped for immediate deployment into combat operations to conduct combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations.

    Special Tactics Airman killed in training incident

    U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Peter Kraines, 33, a Special Tactics pararescueman with the 24th Special Operations Wing, died from injuries sustained in a training incident while performing mountain rescue techniques in Boise, Idaho, Tuesday. The incident is currently under investigation.
  • A U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Operator marshals an F-15 Strike Eagle to a forward arming and refueling point mission with USAFE aircraft during Operation Rapid Forge at Ämari Air Base, Estonia, July 18, 2019. Special Tactics is a U.S. Special Operation Command's tactical air and ground integration force, and the Air Force's special operations ground force, leading Global Access, Precision Strike, Personnel Recovery and Battlefield Surgery operations on the battlefield. The F-15E Strike Eagle is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, with the capability to fight at low altitude, day or night, and in all weather. Operation Rapid Forge involves NATO territories in order to enhance readiness and improve interoperability between U.S. allies and partners in Europe. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rose Gudex)

    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.
  • Family members and teammates of U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan Elchin pose in front of the #43 Coca-Cola Chevy, which bares Elchin’s name on the windshield, before 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. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rachel Yates)

    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 Master Sgt. J Hall, a Special Operations Surgical Team surgical technician with the 720th Operations Support Squadron, receives the Bronze Star Medal from U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kevin Webb, the director of operations for SOST, during a presentation ceremony at the Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education, Miami, Florida, May 23, 2019. Hall was presented a BSM for his life-saving battlefield surgery actions while deployed in 2016. Special Operations Surgical Teams are highly-mobile, tailorable teams of surgical and emergency specialists trained to provide life-saving surgical care and trauma resuscitation on or near the battlefield. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Rachel Yates)

    SOST member awarded Bronze Star Medal for life-saving actions

    U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. J Hall, a Special Operations Surgical Team surgical technician with the 720th Operations Support Squadron, receives the Bronze Star Medal from U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Kevin Webb, the director of operations for SOST, during a presentation ceremony at the Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education, Miami, Florida, May 23, 2019. Hall was presented a BSM for his life-saving battlefield surgery actions while deployed in 2016. Special Operations Surgical Teams are highly-mobile, tailorable teams of surgical and emergency specialists trained to provide life-saving surgical care and trauma resuscitation on or near the battlefield.
  • 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.
  • A Special Tactics Airmen with the 24th Special Operations Wing salutes a baton carrying the name of a fallen brethren during the Special Tactics Ruck March Memorial Ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, March 4, 2018.

    Special Tactics Airmen culminate 830-mile ruck march to honor fallen brethren

    Aches, blisters, exhaustion, pain…830 miles, five states, 11 days…are a minute price to pay to honor the fallen. The push to continue on for these Air Commandos come from their communities’ legacy of never forgetting a fallen comrade, from the pride instilled within themselves, and from reaching down and grabbing one of 20 batons that contained an inscribed name of a fallen teammate. Air Force Special Operations Command Special Tactics Airmen, along with a mission support force of 19 Air Commandos assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing, began the 5th iteration of the Special Tactics Memorial March in the pre-lit dawn, Feb. 22 at Medina Annex at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to pay tribute to U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Dylan J. Elchin. 
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