The Air Force Special Operations Command, established in 1990, inherits a 50-year old legacy of air commando units engaged in conflicts ranging from the Korean War to the Vietnam War. AFSOC combines with special operations forces in other military services to conduct rapid and precise strikes on enemy targets. The command also gathers intelligence and information to analyze the combat strength, tactics and motives of enemy leadership. The Command?s main components ? the 16th Special Operations Squadron, the 352nd and the 353rd Special Operations groups, the 18th Flight Test Squadron, the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School and Air Reserve elements -- rely on converted C-130 airlift planes to rapidly deploy units and equipment to sensitive areas.
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