USAF SPECOPS Factsheet
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Air Force Special Operations Command, was established May 22, 1990,
with headquarters at Hurlburt Field, Fla. AFSOC is a major command
and the Air Force component of U.S. Special Operations Command, a
unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
Mission
AFSOC is America's specialized air power. It provides Air Force
special operations forces for worldwide deployment and assignment
to regional unified commands. AFSOC's core tasks have been grouped
into four mission areas: forward presence and engagement, information
operations precision employment and strike, and special operations
forces mobility.
AFSOC is responsible to USSOCOM for the readiness of Air Force special
operations forces for worldwide deployment. The command's SOF are
composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable airmen who are equipped
with highly specialized aircraft. These forces provide global ability
to conduct special operations missions ranging from precision application
of firepower, to infiltration, exfiltration, resupply and refueling
of SOF operational elements.
AFSOC's unique capabilities include airborne radio and television
broadcast for psychological operations, as well as combat aviation
advisors to provide other governments military expertise for their
internal development. The command's special tactics squadrons combine
combat control, combat weather and pararescuemen to ensure air power
is integrated and operable with special operations and conventional
forces.
The command is responsible for inland search and rescue in the 48
contiguous states. Combat Search and Rescue units also provide worldwide
peacetime and CSAR operations in support of humanitarian and U.S.
national security interests.
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AFSOC is America's specialized air power.
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Personnel and Resources
AFSOC has approximately 19,000 active-duty, Air Force Reserve, Air
National Guard and civilian personnel. The command's five active-duty
and five Reserve component flying units are composed of more than
160 fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, including the AC-130H/U, C-130,
EC-130, HC-130, MC-130E/H, MC-130P, HH-60 and MH-53.
Organization
The command's forces are organized under two active-duty wings,
two Reserve wings and three National Guard wings, two overseas groups
and several direct report units. The command operates two major
active-duty bases.
Wings
The 16th Special Operations Wing, also at Hurlburt Field, is the
Air Force's only active-duty Special Operations Wing. The 16th SOW
is primarily responsible to U.S. Central, Joint Forces, and Southern
commands, but also provides augmentation forces to AFSOC groups
forward deployed in Europe and the Pacific.
The 347th Rescue Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Ga., is the command's
largest active-duty Combat Search and Rescue unit. It provides combat-ready
forces in support of CSAR operational missions.
Groups
The 352nd Special Operations Group, at Royal Air Force Mildenhall,
England, is the Air Force component for Special Operations Command
Europe.
The 353rd Special Operations Group, at Kadena Air Base, Japan, is
the Air Force component for Special Operations Command Pacific.
The 563rd Rescue Group, at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., is a subordinate
unit to the 347th Rescue Wing at Moody. The group oversees other
CSAR units at Nellis AFB, Nev.
The 720th Special Tactics Group at Hurlburt Field has combat controllers,
combat weathermen and pararescuemen.
Subordinate Units
The Air Force Rescue Coordination Center at Langley Air Force Base,
Va., is the executive agent for inland U.S. search and rescue, and
is responsible for coordinating on-land federal search and rescue
activities in the 48 contiguous United States.
The U.S. Air Force Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field provides
special operations-related education to Department of Defense personnel,
government agencies and allied nations.
The 18th Flight Test Squadron, also at Hurlburt Field, conducts
operational and maintenance suitability tests and evaluations for
equipment, concepts, tactics and procedures for employment of special
operations forces.
Gained Air Reserve Components
919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field, Fla., is the command's
only Special Operations Reserve Wing. It provides MC-130E and MC-130P
aircraft that support helicopter refueling requirements to USSOCOM
920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., assists in space shuttle
launches at Cape Canaveral and performs civilian humanitarian rescues
in addition to its combat search and rescue duties.
Gained Air National Guard Units
106th Rescue Wing at Gabreski Field, N.Y., is the only Air Force
combat search and rescue unit in the northeastern United States.
It performs civilian humanitarian rescues in addition to its combat
search and rescue duties.
129th Rescue Wing located at Moffett Field, Calif., performs civilian
humanitarian rescues in addition to its combat search and rescue
duties.
193rd Special Operations Wing at Harrisburg International Airport,
Pa., provides the only airborne psychological operations platform
in the Department of Defense with the EC-130 Commando Solo.
123rd Special Tactics Squadron at Standiford Field, Ky., provides
combat controllers and pararescuemen for worldwide operational needs.
209th Civil Engineer Squadron located at Gulfport, Miss., is AFSOC's
only Guard civil engineer squadron supporting the command's transportable
collective protection system mission.
280th Combat Communications Squadron at Dothan, Ala., is AFSOC's
only Guard communications squadron.
107th Weather Flight at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich.;
146th Weather Flight at Pittsburgh; and the 181st Weather Flight
at Dallas, are the command's three National Guard combat weather
units.
Point of Contact Air Force Special Operations Command, Public Affairs
Office;
229 Cody Ave, Ste 103
Hurlburt Field
FL 32544-5273
DSN 579-5515 or (850) 884-5515.
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