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Retired Combat Controller Gifted His ‘Forever Home’

Sunday, May 4th, 2025

CRESTVIEW, Fla. —

“Everybody in a beret back there… that is the only reason these entire experiences from seven years ago to now has been tolerable.”

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Justin Day reflected on his healing journey during a home-gifting ceremony on April 16 in Crestview, Florida where he and his family received a forever mortgage free home.

Day, a medically retired 6-year Air Force Special Tactics veteran and Purple Heart recipient, was deployed to Afghanistan in July 2018 when he stepped on a pressure plate initiated IED while conducting compound clearances. He was launched into the air and landed on his back. He lost his right foot, sustained severe hand injuries, and the lower half of his leg was stripped of all soft tissue.

As Day recovered from his injuries, he decided he wanted to call Crestview home with his two sons and Wednesday marked fruition of that decision.

A crowd of Airmen assigned to the 24th Special Operations Wing and cheering supporters, community members, and volunteers waved American flags to greet Day and his family when they arrived at their new home. The patriotic procession escorting them included the Crestview Police Department, North Okaloosa Fire and Sheriff’s Departments, and Patriot Guard Riders.

“Nobody here had to do any of this, but you did,” said Day. “That’s why any of this life experience is palatable and worth it. Thank you specifically to the guys back there in berets, this community is amazing.”

The four-bedroom 1,800 square-foot home sits on land donated by retired U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Hughes and his wife, Ellen.

“This is a gift to my family and their future, more than it is for me,” said Day. “My two [sons] don’t know it yet, but this is a pivotal moment in their lives.”

The home was built by Building Homes for Heroes, a non-profit organization committed to rebuilding lives and supporting injured Veterans.

By Capt Savannah Stephens, 24th Special Operations Wing

Bell Boeing Celebrate U.S. Air Force CV-22 Program of Record

Tuesday, April 29th, 2025

Marks the Dawn of Transition from Full-Rate Production to Lifelong Sustainment

Amarillo, TEXAS (April 28, 2025) – Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and Boeing [NYSE: BA] celebrate the upcoming completion of the CV-22 Program of Record (POR) for the U.S. Air Force. Bell and Boeing commemorated the V-22 Osprey production milestone during a ceremony at the Bell Amarillo Assembly Center on April 18.

“Completing the CV-22 production aircraft for the U.S. Air Force is an immense honor and testament to the amazing men and women who have worked to design, engineer, and build these incredible aircraft,” said Eldon Metzger, Bell V-22 program director. “As we reach this milestone of CV-22 production we embark on the next chapter of our journey as we transition from full-rate production to fleet wide sustainment.”

The V-22 is the first tiltrotor aircraft introduced into military service and has successfully provided speed, range, and terrain agnostic capabilities unlike any other aircraft. The U.S. Air Force is the first of the U.S. military branches who operate the V-22 Osprey with improved nacelles to complete their program of record for new build aircraft.

“The CV-22 Osprey represents the dedication and determination of all those who had a hand in creating a unique aircraft and capability for the U.S. Air Force,” said Kathleen (KJ) Jolivette, vice president and general manager, Vertical Lift for Boeing Defense, Space & Security.  “We are proud of all the work that has gone into the program over the years and look forward to maintaining the CV-22 for decades to come in support of its mission critical operations.”

The Air Force variant of the Osprey is designed specifically for special operations missions leveraging the speed and range advantages too long and complex for other aircraft. Some high-profile CV-22 Osprey missions include:

The longest distance nighttime hostage rescue of American citizens in the Department of Defense history.

The evacuation of 194 people from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

Landing on a naval vessel traveling at full speed more than 250 nautical miles from land to rescue an American during a medical emergency.

The final CV-22 aircraft will complete production in the coming months before delivery to the U.S. Air Force. With the completion of the CV-22 Program of Record, Team Osprey, the group of industry partners supporting the V-22, is now focused on fleet wide sustainment and upgrades for the U.S. Air Force Osprey variant. Bell and Boeing continue to build new MV-22 and CMV-22 variants for the U.S. Marine Corps and the Navy.

Modern AFE Capabilities Coming to Cannon DRACO Fleet

Sunday, April 27th, 2025

CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. —

The Steadfast Line continues to adapt for relevancy, most recently with the U-28A Draco fleet adopting new aircrew flight equipment (AFE) in the near future at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

The M69 Joint Service Aircrew Mask (JSAM) replaces the Mask Breath Unit-19P Aircrew Eye and Respiratory Protection assembly and is designed to provide ocular and respiratory protection from Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear hazards.

“This new mask allows improved mobility and enhanced protection,” said an AFE specialist assigned to the 27th Special Operation Wing. “The reliability of this new equipment will be critical for our U-28A crews if they find themselves operating in a contested environment.”

The JSAM is already in service on other non-ejection seat, fixed-wing aircraft, including the MC-130J Commando II and AC-130J Ghostrider fleets at Cannon AFB. Once approved for use on the U-28A, the JSAM will join the growing ensemble of next-generation AFE available to the Draco community. This includes the Viking Suit, which improves survivability of aircrew members if they ever are forced to egress in maritime environments, and the Skull Mounting System, which aligns headgear with night vision goggles and other accessories.

“This new protective equipment will enable our U-28 crews to be prepared for tomorrow, adapting for relevancy,” said Col. Robert Johnston, 27th Special Operations Wing commander. “We must maintain our competitive advantage, and this new mask is one more way we are staying ready.”

Air Commandos lead the way in delivering innovation – it’s in our DNA.

Foreign Intel Job Scams Target Current, Former DoD Employees

Thursday, April 24th, 2025

QUANTICO, Va. (AFNS) —

When a social media message pops up offering a high-paying consulting job from an unknown recruiter, it’s easy to be intrigued.

But before you accept this too-good-to-be-true offer, think twice.

For many current and former members of the Department of the Air Force, and increasingly, across the entire U.S. government workforce, this is the first step in a recruitment scheme by foreign intelligence entities, officials warn.

“Our adversaries are exploiting personal freedoms and online platforms to target our people,” said a counterintelligence analyst assigned to the AFOSI Center. “These aren’t random messages. They’re calculated attempts to exploit trust.”

The analyst could not be named for operational reasons. However, their concern was echoed at the highest levels of the agency.

“These aren’t just job offers, they’re intelligence operations in disguise,” said Special Agent Lee Russ, executive director of AFOSI Office of Special Projects. “Our adversaries are targeting the very people who’ve kept this nation secure.”

According to an April 2025 memo from the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, hostile foreign intelligence entities have targeted U.S. government personnel by posing as consulting firms, headhunters and think tanks.

“This isn’t a new tactic, it’s just become more aggressive and more refined,” the analyst said. “Adversaries have figured out how to blend into legitimate spaces online.”

According to the NCSC release, which operates under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, these schemes are part of a broader campaign to collect sensitive information from individuals with U.S. government backgrounds, often under the guise of employment opportunities.

“Recruiters often appear friendly and credible, offering flattery and emphasizing your government experience,” Russ said. “They may pose as representatives of legitimate, even allied-nation companies, making their approach seem trustworthy.”

These outreach efforts often begin with what appears to be a professional opportunity, like a message from a recruiter or a inquiry that aligns with the target’s background, the analyst said.

That sense of normalcy is what lowers defenses and allows the interaction to progress unnoticed.

“The sophistication is what makes it dangerous,” the analyst said. “Adversaries are using professional norms and targeting people who’ve let their guard down because the interaction seems normal.”

These increasingly advanced attempts often appear via social media, email, or job platforms, making them difficult to detect.

“Foreign actors reach out to service members privately, which means there’s no institutional oversight,” the analyst added. “What someone does on their personal account doesn’t necessarily have the same safeguards as an official one, and adversaries are taking advantage of that.”

Over time, those conversations can shift subtly from general networking to probing questions. Then, what started as a casual dialogue quietly shifts into something more serious.

“These schemes have evolved into long-term social engineering campaigns designed to appear professional and legitimate,” Russ said.

What makes these campaigns particularly effective, officials say, is how gradually they unfold.

“In many cases, targets are asked to provide commentary on general policy issues or draft seemingly harmless reports, usually in exchange for generous compensation and flexible remote work,” Russ said. “But over time, these requests escalate, which helps foreign adversaries refine their military tactics and strategic operations.”

The shift is rarely abrupt. Instead, foreign actors rely on building a sense of trust, normalizing the exchange of information before introducing more sensitive requests.

“They’re not going to ask for secrets right away,” the analyst said. “They build credibility first, then slowly shift the conversation. By the time it feels suspicious, a relationship has already been established and that’s exactly what they’re counting on.”

Several red flags can signal malicious intent behind a job offer, he added. These include unusually high pay for minimal work, pressure to move conversations off trusted platforms like LinkedIn, and use of encrypted messaging apps.

“Urgency tactics, such as limited-time offers, exclusive opportunities or unusually fast hiring and payment cycles, are all designed to bypass due diligence and rush targets into compromising decisions,” Russ said. “In some cases, individuals are promised immediate payment upon task completion to encourage quick participation without proper vetting.”

In many cases, recruiters will push for increasingly detailed and potentially restricted information, often under the pretense that it is needed for strategic insights or market research.

“The reality is, if you’ve ever had access to sensitive material, classified or not, you’re a potential target,” the analyst said. “Foreign adversaries are not just chasing secrets; they’re after any information that could give them a strategic edge.”

These hostile adversaries aren’t limiting their outreach to active military or intelligence personnel, either. Everyone from uniformed service members and reservists to civilian employees, contractors and retirees are within scope, the analyst said.

Engaging with these recruitment attempts can carry serious consequences. U.S. security clearance holders are legally bound to protect classified information, even after leaving government service.

“One of the problems we have is people just ignore the messages and forget about it,” the analyst said. “But even if you ignored it, that interaction can still help us. We’re not looking to punish someone for being contacted, we want to understand the tactics being used so we can protect the rest of the force.”

“If you believe you’ve been targeted, or know someone who has, report it,” Russ said. “Whether you’re still in uniform or long since retired, stay sharp. In today’s fight, vigilance online can be just as vital as readiness on the battlefield.”

As the analyst explained, as adversaries exploit the freedoms of digital platforms to target individuals, the lines between counterintelligence and force protection are increasingly blur.

“We’re not going to investigate our way out of this,” the analyst said. “The scope is too broad, and it crosses too deeply into personal privacy. The most powerful weapon we have is self-reporting. When people flag suspicious outreach early, it gives us a fighting chance.”

By Thomas Brading, AFOSI Public Affairs

Releasing agency note:

That is why early reporting, no matter how minor, can play a critical role in preventing adversary access. For example, programs like Eagle Eyes have supported this effort by encouraging both military personnel and civilians to report any suspicious behavior.

For more information on Eagle Eyes or to find your local AFOSI detachment, submit a tip directly with AFOSI at www.osi.af.mil/Contact-Us or the FBI at tips.fbi.gov.

Additional resources are available from the National Counterintelligence and Security Center at www.ncsc.gov, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency at www.dcsa.mil, and the FBI at www.fbi.gov.

Embry Riddle’s Air Force ROTC Programs Rank Among the Best in the Nation

Sunday, April 13th, 2025

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. / PRESCOTT, Ariz.

U.S. Air Force ROTC programs based at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University’s Daytona Beach and Prescott campuses have been recognized as among the top 10% of all detachments nationwide.

Photographer, Wilson Van Ness, 2024

The evaluation — conducted annually by the U.S. Air Force’s Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development — reviewed all 145 ROTC detachments based on the quality of officers commissioned, resource utilization and meeting Air Force needs for rated and critical skills.

At the Daytona Beach, Florida, campus, Air Force ROTC Detachment 157 currently has 477 cadets and is one of the largest detachments in the country. Air Force ROTC Detachment 028 at the Prescott, Arizona, campus has 210 cadets.

“Our two detachments earning these uppermost rankings highlight that Embry?Riddle is producing elite Air and Space Force officers who are making our nation stronger and more secure,” said Embry?Riddle President P. Barry Butler, Ph.D. “Congratulations to Detachments 157 and 028 for providing cadets the highest level of education and training.”

Noted accomplishments of Detachment 157 to earn the top 10% evaluation included success in officer production, with 245 cadets commissioned over the 5-year period during the 2020-2024 fiscal years, said Col. Gregory Adams, commander of the Daytona Beach Campus detachment.

Detachment 157 also has the highest Rated Officer selection. Rated Officer selections encompass four career fields: pilot, combat systems officer, air battle manager and remotely piloted aircraft pilot. Cadets compete for these jobs during their junior year and are selected in their senior year.

In addition, the detachment has one of the highest selections of Space Force officers.

“This honor is due to the tremendous effort our cadets put forward every day. Their drive, perseverance and ingenuity are what continue to make Detachment 157 a special place,” Adams said. “Our university leadership has also contributed to our success. We would not be able to offer cadets the opportunities they receive without the university’s support. We continue to rise to the occasion of preparing and producing future Air and Space Force leaders.”

The top 10% evaluation for ROTC Detachment 028 at the Prescott Campus recognized the detachment’s success in officer production, technical degree attainment and aviation officer commissioning, ranking in the top 2% to 3% in these key areas. Detachment 028 excelled in all evaluation criteria, said Col. Russell Davis, commander of the detachment and professor of Aerospace Studies.

“This recognition is due to the outstanding work of our cadets and support from our university leadership,” Davis said. “We consistently exceed expectations in our mission to prepare future officers to succeed in today’s Air and Space Forces.”

Detachment 028 was one of only two detachments in the Southwest region to earn a top 10% ranking this year.

“The recognition of Detachment 028 underscores the strength of our program and the exceptional students we develop,” said Dr. Ken Witcher, chancellor of the Prescott Campus. “It’s a credit to our faculty, staff and especially our cadets who embody the values of integrity first, service before self and excellence in all they do.”

Did AFSOC Field A New Helmet? Well, Sort Of….

Saturday, April 12th, 2025

A buddy recently sent me this photo and asked me about this new helmet being worn by AFSOC, inquiring what it was.

I hadn’t seen it before and was intrigued. I put out some feelers and then I tracked the photo down to the Air Force Special Operations Command website, showcasing the Special Operations Forces Medical Skills Development program last October at Hurlburt Field, Florida. There was a whole photo story with these helmets peppered throughout.

It didn’t look like any helmet I had ever seen. Here I am thinking it might be some Air Force Research Lab project, but the truth, it would turn out, reminds me of that old Eddie Murphy comedy sketch, “We’ve got McDonald’s at home.*”

After further investigation, I found that this airsoft helmet (yes, I said airsoft) costs around $150 and goes by several names online, but seems to be manufactured by Avengers Airsoft. Avengers calls it the “Ark” Helmet w/ Integrated Cooling System & Headset. Granted, once you look at more of the photos you realize that they are training with paintball guns and that’s likely why they were purchased. They sort of look like issue helmets and are meant for airsoft. Even the website claims that the helmet is “Designed for Foam Blaster, Nerf, Gel Blaster, Battle Blaster, and low power Airsoft Gaming. ANSI rated full face mask recommended for close quarter / high power Airsoft Gaming.”

However, not only is this helmet not safety certified or approved for use as a ballistic, or even bump helmet, it’s also not Berry compliant. Sure, you can hide behind the micro-purchase exemption for Berry but I’d only use that defense if it were some uber cool European ballistic helmet like the NFM Hjelm, not some ABS bucket. What’s more, they aren’t using the face mask, despite using paintball guns, which kind of defeats the purpose of buying these helmets.

I’m not going to cast aspersions on the person who actually bought these things. I am sure they were well intended and bought what they were told to buy. They look sort of like an approved high cut helmet, but not much. Manufacturers Galvion, Gentex, and Team Wendy all make both ballistic and bump helmet models which are approved for wear and have been procured by the Air Force, and they can be used for sim training and have the appropriate mandibles.

Hopefully, AFSOC will procure some proper helmets for these Airmen soon which are actually certified for sim training. These toys should be crushed and put in the dumpster.

As for the rest of you, this is a cautionary tale. If you’re tasking a GPC holder to buy something for you, be very specific about what you want, even down to manufacturer and model preferences. Include specifications in order to further avoid confusion. If you don’t know, I suggest you have your GPC holder, or supply, get ahold of one of the Special Operations TLS vendors like Darley or Noble. There are several contract holders and they have in-house experts who can go over options. You can also do some research each here on SSD.

AFSOC Photos by Airman 1st Class Raul Mercado.

*Language warning, it’s Eddie after all…

98-year-old Pilot Sees Skyraider Legacy Live on in AFSOC’s OA-1K Skyraider II

Thursday, April 10th, 2025

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —  

At 98 years old, retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bill Buice never imagined he’d see another Skyraider take flight.

Looking ahead, he smiled as the hum of the aircraft’s turboprop engine deepened as it drew closer.

Joined by his family and members of Air Force Special Operations Command, Buice watched as the first missionized OA-1K Skyraider II arrived at Hurlburt Field, Florida, April 3, 2025.

As the OA-1K Skyraider II taxied, Buice said the moment brought back a wave of memories. To him, this was more than a new aircraft—it was a tribute to the original A-1 Skyraider, the plane he piloted during the Vietnam War until the day he was shot down nearly 60 years ago.

***

Rolling in for a pass to inspect the area below, Buice heard a sudden explosion.

It was July 9, 1968, and Buice, call sign “Firefly 16,” and his wingman, “Firefly 17,” were providing cover for a formation of American helicopters flying in northern Laos, near the Vietnam border.

Looking through the canopy of his A-1 Skyraider, he spotted a fire on the left wing of his aircraft.

Buice dumped the hydraulic system pressure to extinguish the flames. It worked, but the wing had a gaping hole, and the magnesium casting continued to burn.

He pulled the aircraft into a climbing turn, looking for a place to land. His teammates warned him over the radio.

“Not in the valley, whatever you do,” they urged, warning the enemy could be there.

Knowing he would soon lose complete control of the aircraft, he reversed his rudder controls, forcing the A-1 into a faster roll. Inverting the plane, he pulled the ejection handle as soon as he could see the sky through the canopy.

“The canopy disappeared with a bang,” Buice recalled. “Then nothing.”

He saw the jungle rushing up. His airspeed increased and altitude dropped. He pulled the handle again.

The rocket fired, pulling him from the cockpit. His parachute deployed, slowing his descent. He crashed through the jungle, hitting a tree and injuring his shoulder and quickly realized he couldn’t move his right arm.

Hearing noise nearby, he used his left hand to reach for his pistol and call for help with his radio.

Moments later, an Air America helicopter arrived. Owned and operated by the CIA, Air America was a cargo and passenger airline that provided air support for the U.S. and its allies during the Vietnam War.

A pilot came down to help Buice onto the lift, but as they ascended, the weight was too much.

“I insisted that he join me for the trip up, but it was too heavy,” Buice recalled. “So I gave him my radio and pistol, and he stayed behind, hoping another chopper would get to him before the bad guys did.”

Buice was airlifted to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand for urgent medical treatment. Ultimately, his shoulder injury would end his 20-year Air Force career.

For decades, Buice often thought about the man who had rescued him, wondering if he made it out alive.

***

Sitting beside Buice at the OA-1K delivery ceremony was Phillip Jennings, a retired Air America helicopter pilot—the very man who had saved him that day. Over the years, the two had reunited only a handful of times, making this moment even more special, Jennings noted.

“I knew from the moment I watched him get shot down that we would have to go get him,” Jennings said. “I’m elated to be able to be here to see him be recognized and honored. He was the real hero that day, saving the Air America helicopters from landing in the deadly gunfire that shot his A-1 down.”

Though the crash ended his flying career, Buice said he has always felt a connection to the A-1 Skyraider.

As a pilot, Buice liked the A-1 for it’s ability to fly for an extended period while also being able to carry a large payload of ammunition.

The OA-1K Skyraider II now carries on that role, equipped with advanced weapons systems for light attack and reconnaissance missions for AFSOC.

Taking a moment to look at the new aircraft, Buice reflected on what it meant for the next generation of Skyraider pilots.

“I hope they embrace the challenges, the accomplishments—even the fear and the adrenaline,” he said. “There will be a day when they can no longer do this. Today is not that day.”

Today, Buice lives at the Hawthorne House, an assisted living neighborhood in the Air Force Enlisted Village in nearby Shalimar, Florida. The Air Force Enlisted Village is a community for retired enlisted military members and their surviving spouses.

By SSgt Natalie Fiorilli, Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Five Deployable Combat Wings Selected in Evolution of Force Presentation

Friday, April 4th, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The U.S. Air Force has identified the first five Regular Air Force candidate locations to build a Deployable Combat Wing Unit Type Code and is scheduling site surveys to begin in the coming weeks. Site surveys will determine the ability of these locations to build a DCW UTC, and findings will be submitted for final location approval.

The first five installations selected as candidates are the 19th Airlift Wing, Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas; 23rd Wing, Moody AFB, Georgia; the 366th Fighter Wing, Mountain Home AFB, Idaho; the 4th Fighter Wing, Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina; and the 20th Fighter Wing, Shaw AFB, South Carolina.

The change marks an evolution in how the U.S. Air Force deploys its forces from a crowd-sourced model to one in which Airmen from the same installation deploy together as part of a mission-ready Unit of Action built for today’s fight. It acknowledges the need for Airmen to train together and build team cohesion to arrive in theater as a lethal team ready to operate in environments that will likely be more contested than those of the past two decades.

“We are transitioning our Deployment Model to best meet the evolving national security environment,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, in a recent memo to Airmen. “At the heart of this transformation is the creation of the Deployable Combat Wing Unit Type Codes – a shift in how we prepare for and execute deployments.”

After final approval in the strategic basing process, selected locations will be responsible for entering into the AFFORGEN cycle through their DCW UTCs beginning in 2025. Part of this process will involve increasing the population of Airmen assigned to each installation in order to ensure wings are able to meet their home station and deployed requirements and are manned to accomplish their respective missions.

The Air Force Personnel Center is postured to conduct permanent changes of station, maximizing volunteer opportunities, to provide the required manpower to these five installations pending final approval in the strategic basing process. Air Force leaders are calling for Airmen to lean into this organizational change and be eager to take on the challenges and rewards of shaping this new way of operating in defense of the nation.

In his memo, Allvin emphasized the need for “highly motivated Airmen,” ready to work together to, “enhance combat readiness,” and “deliver decisive airpower from day one.”

Airmen aligned to the DCW UTC will complete the Air Force Force Generation cycle together. The overall AFFORGEN model improves unit readiness through greater deployment predictability, improves pre-deployment training, and establishes certification requirements that demonstrate unit preparedness for specific missions.

DCW UTCs represent the next phase in the evolution of how the U.S. Air Force presents and deploys forces. As the model is phased in it is expected to replace the Expeditionary Air Base and Air Task Force. XABs are expected to sunset in fiscal year 2027 with ATFs anticipated to be phased out in fiscal year 2028. A phased approach with more than one type of unit of action is required to ensure near-continuous crisis response availability and sustained readiness for the force while DCW UTCs are under construction.

There will be follow-on information for Total Force and additional Regular Air Force locations released in coming months as the Air Force completes the strategic basing process for the first five DCW UTC candidates.

By SSgt Cheyenne Lewis-Roberts
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs