AFSOC | News - Tag innovation

Feb. 20, 2026
Thunder Dome: How AFSOC turns concepts into capabilities

Air Commandos brief Air Force Special Operations Command senior leaders during the Thunder Dome innovation competition at the HSU Innovation Institute in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Feb. 6, 2026. More than 500 Air Commandos voted to advance 11 finalists to present to the AFSOC command team.
Dec. 18, 2025
Interagency Senior Leaders Discuss Tactics on Advancing Counter UAS Efforts

Joint interagency and law enforcement senior leaders met to establish a shared understanding of counter-small unmanned aerial system threat detection and mitigation best practices during a law enforcement symposium at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va.
Aug. 26, 2025
Thunder Dome: Looking Back, Powering Forward with AFSOC Innovation

Air Force Special Operations Command continues to champion innovation with its third annual Thunder Dome Innovation Competition scheduled this fall. Beyond the competition, the program’s success is measured by the real-world impact of its funded projects.
Nov. 25, 2024
AFSOC pathfinding fuel efficient technology

Air Force Special Operations Command, in partnership with Air Force Operational Energy and the Defense Innovation Unit, is testing drag reduction technology to enhance combat capability to mitigate operational risk to the warfighter.
Sept. 20, 2024
DAF leaders reaffirm commitment to reoptimization for Great Power Competition

The 2024 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, hosted by the Air and Space Forces Association, offered DAF senior leaders an opportunity to share their views on modernization and readiness in response to emerging security threats, while reaffirming the DAF’s commitment to reoptimization.
Jan. 31, 2023
Department of the Air Force to conduct hackathon

The Air Force will conduct its next “BRAVO” hackathon in March, and any U.S. citizen may apply.
May 6, 2022
Deputy AFSOC commander visits 353rd SOW, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force’s amphibious aircrews

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Eric Hill, deputy commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, visited Kadena Air Base, Japan, to meet with 353rd Special Operations Wing Airmen and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni to engage with Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force allies April 6, 2022.During the
Dec. 14, 2021
Combat Aviation Advisors participate in airdrop competition

The luxury of readily available gear and resources is not always a reality for Combat Aviation Advisors working with partner nations in remote locations. These unique situations have led CAAs to find innovative ways to help partner nations accomplish their missions with resources and budgets that
July 30, 2021
TASR: Shaping the evolution of AFSOC

Air Force Special Operations Command hosted senior leaders from the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics and Air Force Materiel Command for the AFSOC Technology, Acquisition, and Sustainment Review, July 20-21.“TASR is our opportunity to show
May 24, 2021
5th SOS tests new aircrew mask for C-130 enterprise

The 5th Special Operations Squadron demonstrated the unique capabilities of the unit while testing a new protective mask for the 53rd Wing. The squadron tested the Joint Service Aircrew Mask for Strategic Aircraft, which is slated to replace the current Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protection System