AFSOC | News

July 17, 2020
Secretary of the Air Force visits Team Pope

Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett visited Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina on July 16 to discuss joint operations and the integral part the Air Force plays during global responses.
July 15, 2020
Eglin squadron begins radar system tests on CV-22

Eglin’s tilt and rotary wing test squadron pilots logged their first CV-22 Osprey flight incorporating a terrain following and avoidance radar system called Silent Knight here June 23. That initial flight using an Air Force Special Operations Command CV-22, crewed by Majors Jon Appleby, 413th Flight
April 29, 2020
352d SOW conducts open ocean rescue training over the North Sea

Members from the MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 67th Special Operations Squadron, CV-22B Osprey assigned to the 7th Special Operation Squadron, and Special Tactics Airmen from the 321st Special Tactics Squadron, conducted an airborne operation April 9, 2020, over the North Sea to test and
Feb. 5, 2020
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
Nov. 15, 2019
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
Nov. 14, 2019
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.
Oct. 10, 2019
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.
Aug. 1, 2019
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
July 22, 2019
AFSOC leads Joint Lightning 2019 field training exercise at MacDill

AFSOC hosted the two-week Total Force Joint Lightning 2019 field training exercise, July 15, 2019, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, to ensure mission readiness and the capabilities of its Special Operations Communications Squadrons.
May 29, 2019
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