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Archive for the ‘Air Force’ Category
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Monday, October 26th, 2026Thunder Dome 2027: Vote now to help support AFSOC’s newest innovations
Sunday, October 25th, 2026
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —
Air Force Special Operations Command will host its fourth annual Thunder Dome Innovation Competition in fiscal year 2027. The program allows Air Commandos to pitch tactical concepts directly to senior leadership for development funding and prototype support.
Thunder Dome focuses on rapidly developing these concepts into usable tools for frontline units. The program receives proposals from Airmen across active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve components across the command. Winning teams receive direct innovation funding and program office advocacy to prototype, test, and field their solutions.
Voting for the next Thunder Dome Innovation Competition is now open and runs through Oct. 26, 2026. Select the best game-changing ideas to solve our toughest challenges, your vote will help determine the finalists.
Use this link to set up your Department of War-registered account and cast your three votes for the most impactful ideas. Every Air Commando voice matters!
Ahead of the next Thunder Dome competition, several winning projects from last year’s program are already yielding dividends across multiple operational disciplines:
Project SilentSentinel — 193rd Special Operations Wing, Harrisburg International Airport, Pennsylvania ($51,000 awarded):
The 193rd SOW team leveraged additive manufacturing and rapid prototyping to produce 27 custom-shielded lock boxes. The units are currently prepared for tactical field evaluation and stress-testing during upcoming training exercises to validate physical security and RF-shielding capabilities.
Project IRIS — 137th Special Operations Wing, Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma ($51,000 awarded):
Air Commandos assigned to the 137th SOW procured specialized communications tracking tags and optical radio frequency scanners. Following initial operational validation within the communications flight, the Wing is developing integration pathways to expand tracking architecture into its security forces, logistics readiness, and force support services squadrons.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Range Modernization — 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida ($510,000 awarded):
The 1st SOW team worked to overhaul tactical demolition and munitions disposal training infrastructure. The modernization project is nearing completion and will support multi-hazard training environments for EOD proficiency.
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth Directs Establishment of New Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron in Florida
Friday, October 23rd, 2026To enhance the lethality and readiness of our elite joint force, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signed a memo directing the establishment of a new Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron in Florida.
The directive strategically positions a premier Special Tactics capability at the center of the nation’s special operations command hub, deepening the integration between the National Guard and active-duty elite units to defend the United States and defeat global adversaries.
“Under the leadership of Secretary Hegseth, we are growing our elite Special Tactics community. The memo directs the establishment of a new Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron, placing our most lethal warfighters at the heart of the USSOCOM and AFSOC community at Hurlburt Field & MacDill AFB,” said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.
The creation of the Florida-based Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron marks a critical step forward in the Secretary’s broader initiative to rapidly modernize our special operations architecture. By utilizing the highly experienced and deeply integrated personnel of the Air National Guard, the Department is bolstering its high-end combat controller, pararescue, and special reconnaissance capabilities.
Placing this new squadron in close proximity to both U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) at Hurlburt Field creates an unparalleled ecosystem of combat-ready training and mission execution. This move maximizes joint-force synergy, ensures seamless operational readiness, and provides the President with highly responsive, lethal options to counter pacing threats.
Click here to see the memo.
Long-Range Penetrating Force Remains at Forefront of Bomber Operations
Saturday, October 17th, 2026NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) —
Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury — or at least the lessons learned — were the topics of discussion at a long-range airpower panel during the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Sept. 15.
The panel brought together bomber, mobility, and aerospace industry leaders to assess the strategic airpower environment.
Throughout the dialogue, panel members emphasized that while long-range strike operations have proven decisively effective in recent combat campaigns, maintaining that asymmetric advantage demands continuous modernization, seamless cross-command teamwork, and a strong partnership with the defense industrial base.
Maj. Gen. Ty Neuman, Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center commander, began by highlighting the inherent stamina of the nation’s bomber fleet.
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Ty Neuman (center), Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Operations Center commander, speaks at the Long-Range Airpower: Lessons From Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury panel during the 2026 Air, Space and Cyber Conference at the National Harbor, Md., Sept 15, 2026. The annual conference is an opportunity for Department of the Air Force senior leaders to meet and address Airmen, Guardians, allies, partners and industry leaders. (U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Shelby Thurman)
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“We are a ready force that demonstrated our endurance,” Neuman said, emphasizing how Eighth Air Force’s constant readiness provides tailored deterrence and reassurance across the globe.
Reflecting on the sheer logistical and operational coordination demanded during Operation Epic Fury, Neuman praised the joint commitment across the enterprise, noting that “everyone has been all in.” He stressed that the unmatched long-range strike capability demonstrated in both Operation Midnight Hammer and Operation Epic Fury delivers an unmistakable message to adversaries: no one should question the readiness or capability of the United States to hold targets at risk anytime, anywhere.
Panelists later discussed the necessity of denying adversaries safe havens and operational sanctuaries, where Neuman outlined why standoff weapons alone cannot shoulder the strategic burden. Potential adversaries continue to harden facilities, bury critical infrastructure, and construct heavily defended anti-access perimeters.
“Not every target can be hit by long-range standoff weapons; we need a penetrating force,” the Eighth Air Force commander said. “Modernizing the legacy bomber fleet is an imperative to denying sanctuary to our adversaries.”
To outpace emerging threats, the Air Force is advancing a complementary mix of weapons and platforms, including standoff systems and stand-in penetrating capabilities. Ongoing modernization efforts include expanding the B-1’s beyond-line-of-sight communication systems, outfitting the B-2 Spirit with advanced radar enhancement programs to bolster survivability in anti-access environments, and exploring expanded payloads for the B-2 fleet.
When operating against advanced air defense systems, stealth remains paramount. “All-aspect low observable weapon systems are a non-negotiable price to entry,” Neuman underscored.
The conversation then moved to the future viability of stealth in an era of proliferating air defense systems.
Neuman affirmed that low observability is not a passing technological phase, but a foundational requirement for the future fight.
He emphasized that the Air Force must pursue both low-observable aircraft and low-observable complementary munitions to survive and deliver effects inside contested airspace. Echoing this assessment, the panel moderator noted that stealth is fundamentally about disrupting the enemy’s integrated kill chain, denying adversaries the ability to detect, track, and engage U.S. strike platforms before mission completion.
The evolving nature of the battlespace, where multi-domain environments are saturated with unmanned systems, electromagnetic interference, and missile salvos, was another topic of discussion.
Industry panelist Jamie Burgess of Boeing cautioned that sheer data volume does not automatically equate to combat capability.
“One can drown in data and starve for information,” Burgess remarked, pointing out the necessity of delivering processed, actionable intelligence directly to aircrews and operational commanders.
The panel discussed how the battle network and integrated command, control, and communications architectures must synthesize real-time data from space, cyber, and airborne assets into coherent situational awareness that accelerates combat decision-making.
Diving into fleet viability and continuous modernization, the general highlighted the operational strain and lessons realized from long-duration strike missions. During Operation Epic Fury, bomber sorties averaged 38 hours in duration — demanding extraordinary human stamina, aircraft reliability, and extensive air refueling support.
According to the Air Mobility Command panelist, “it took dozens and dozens of tankers to execute Operation Epic Fury,” illustrating the indispensable synergy between Air Force Global Strike Command and AMC.
When looking at the service’s age of the inventory, Neuman noted that “our youngest bomber is 30-plus years old.” While airframes have proven durable, sustained investment in modern digital avionics, resilient beyond-line-of-sight connectivity, and modern propulsion is essential across every platform.
The bomber force commander called for a fundamental pivot in weapons integration philosophy: rather than undertaking costly and complex modifications to alter legacy aircraft around new weapons, future munitions must be intentionally designed to seamlessly integrate into existing bomber bays and pylons.
“Bombers must deliver strategic options to the president,” Neuman emphasized, noting that modernization ensures the commander in chief retains flexible, credible conventional and nuclear response options.
Examining the role of industry innovation, Neuman praised the ingenuity of maintenance and logistics Airmen who keep vintage platforms flight-ready, but stressed that the service cannot accomplish sustainment alone.
“It is about partnerships, clear and concise requirements, and giving industry the ability to run with it. It’s a team effort,” Neuman remarked, underscoring the urgent requirement to bolster the defense industrial base and maintain reliable supply chains for critical components.
The panel then concluded by addressing Total Force Integration.
“This is a Total Force Integration effort for every single component,” Neuman said.
“Allies and partners, we have your back. We are the free world’s only long-range strike capability, and we will continue to deliver anytime, anywhere.”
By Justin Oakes
Eighth Air Force and Joint-Global Strike Operations Center Public Affairs
AFOSI Certifies First Drone Operator-Instructor Cadre Ahead of X10D Fielding
Saturday, October 10th, 2026QUANTICO, Va. (AFNS) —
For the first time, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations has certified a cadre of special agents to both operate and instruct others on the Skydio X10D as part of a broader effort to expand small unmanned aircraft system operations across the agency.
Last month, six personnel completed a weeklong course at AFOSI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia, creating the first group of instructors positioned to bring the capability back to technical operations units in the field.
“We not only learned how to operate the drones, but also how to properly instruct other individuals on how to fly successfully to meet mission needs,” said Special Agent Logan Trigg, assigned to the 2nd Field Investigations Squadron Technical Operations Program.
That instructor qualification is what gives the course its broader impact. Rather than returning to their units as individual operators, the six graduates can now begin building additional capacity across AFOSI.
“My plan is to train the entire 2 FIS Technical Operations flight on drone operations because it enables every member to carry out the mission regardless of where or when the capability is needed,” Trigg said. “Having everyone certified creates the ability to attack the mission effectively.”
That train-the-trainer model is central to how AFOSI intends to grow the program. The capability could support surveillance, outdoor crime scenes, protective-service support and other missions requiring what Trigg called an “an eye in the sky.”
The work to build AFOSI’s agency-level capability has been an ongoing effort since early 2024, with Detachment 111 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, serving as a working pilot program well before the five X10Ds will be used by Technical Operations agents in January 2027.
Creating multipliers
The course was structured around more than basic flight instruction. Agents first completed roughly 16 hours of classroom work covering airspace, Federal Aviation Administration requirements, mission planning and the administrative requirements behind government sUAS operations.
“After the classroom portion, we transitioned to the field for hands-on flight operations,” said Special Agent Scott Zawacki, AFOSI Technical Operations program manager. “We focused on the fundamentals of takeoff and landing, then progressed to the system’s autonomous capabilities and how those features can be applied to meet operational requirements.”
Once students were comfortable with the aircraft, the training shifted to approximately 16 hours of flight scenarios built around AFOSI missions.
In one exercise, students lifted to roughly 400 feet, identified a vehicle’s license plate and tracked the vehicle for roughly a mile. In another, they used the aircraft’s thermal camera at night to locate a person concealed in a wooded area.
“The real advantage is our ability to design highly specialized training scenarios that directly support AFOSI’s unique mission requirements,” Zawacki said.
By the end of the week, all six had qualified as both operators and instructors. The course was the latest step in an effort that began years earlier at Edwards AFB.
Building the program
At Edwards AFB, Anthony Zutten, AFOSI Det. 111 criminal indexing and investigations specialist, in coordination with Zawacki, developed a sUAS capability before AFOSI moved to establish a broader program in 2024.
To do this, Zutten worked through the approvals, funding and training requirements needed to stand up the local effort, which soon moved beyond demonstration flights.
Prior to the latest training, agents at Edwards AFB used drones to support reconnaissance related to illegal marijuana growing operations near the installation, map the site of a recent B-52 crash for the 412th Test Wing and assist with search-and-rescue efforts across the installation’s expansive operating area.
In one case, Zutten said a drone helped narrow the search area for a 12-year-old believed to be in danger before the child was eventually located. Those missions gave AFOSI early proof of concept for how sUAS could support investigations and other operational needs.
Meanwhile, at AFOSI headquarters, Zawacki examined the same capability from an agency-wide perspective. The two efforts eventually converged.
“Det. 111 helped establish the proof of concept for a broader expansion,” Zawacki said.
As AFOSI’s new MAJCOM sUAS program manager, Zawacki, in collaboration with Zutten, brought the Edwards AFB effort under the developing AFOSI structure, building on roughly two years of policy work, testing, coordination and funding efforts to establish a broader command capability. Zutten’s experience also made him a natural choice to lead AFOSI’s first broader operator-instructor course.
“He did a lot of the legwork in finding the policy, finding the people to talk to, coordinating everything and helping get this off the ground,” Zawacki said.
Drone technology also shows potential for detailed crime-scene documentation, he said. In one demonstration, operators captured 126 images that were stitched together to develop two- and three-dimensional crime-scene models.
“When reviewing crime-scene map captures, the detail is so clear you can zoom in and see each individual bullet casing, easily identify placards and see exactly where key evidence rests in relation to the scene,” Zutten said.
With compatible software, agents can also mark evidence and measure distances using spatial data captured through the drone’s imagery, incorporate telemetry data and upload the information directly into AFOSI’s case management system.
“By utilizing sUAS to assist with crime scenes, we can effectively cut tens of hours of work from our field agents by digitizing everything on scene in real time,” Zutten said.
AFOSI has not yet used that capability in an actual case. For now, demonstrations are helping officials determine where the technology can best support field operations.
“Our job is to give agents the capabilities they need to accomplish the mission,” Zutten said. “If this technology can help us collect detailed information faster, reduce risk to our people and better support a case or operation, then that’s where its value shines.”
By Thomas Brading
AFOSI Public Affairs
CMSAF Announces Distinctive Beret for Air Force EOD Airmen
Sunday, October 4th, 2026
ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David R. Wolfe announced Oct. 2 that Air Force explosive ordnance disposal Airmen will earn a distinctive rust-colored beret, recognizing their specialized combat arms mission and contributions to the joint force.
The announcement took place virtually during the graduation of the inaugural Project MAMBA course at Tyndall Air Force Base’s Silver Flag training site.
Project MAMBA, short for Multi-domain Airmen for Modern Battlefield Application, is the Air Force EOD community’s redesigned pre-deployment training pipeline. The course incorporates recent combat lessons and prepares EOD Airmen to operate in complex, contested environments alongside joint and coalition forces.
“Today’s graduates represent the capability, professionalism and warrior ethos that define our explosive ordnance disposal force,” Wolfe said. “As you prepare to deploy and take on one of the Air Force’s most demanding missions, carry forward the pride and combat identity you have earned. The EOD beret will stand as a visible recognition of that identity and your service to the joint force.”
The EOD mission includes conducting specialized render-safe procedures and post-blast exploitation while supporting maneuver forces and protecting personnel, equipment and operations.
The rust beret reflects the EOD mission and the color historically associated with explosive hazards. Its metallic flash incorporates EOD and Air Force symbolism, representing the community’s global mission, technical expertise and legacy of sacrifice.
The beret authorization aligns EOD’s uniform distinction with its designation as a specialized conventional combat-arms career field and recognizes the community’s role in delivering combat capability at the tactical edge.
“EOD Airmen bring disciplined expertise, courage and resolve to the joint force’s most complex and hazardous missions,” said Chief Master Sgt. Steven Harris, EOD career field manager. “The rust beret recognizes their combat-arms identity, honors the community they represent and reflects the capability they will continue to deliver wherever the mission demands.”
Implementation guidance will be released through official Air Force channels as available.
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
USAF EOD Finally Gets Their Beret
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026
Last night, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Wolfe shared this image and comment on social media:
EOD Airmen take on some of our joint force’s most complex and hazardous missions. The beret authorization aligns EOD’s uniform distinction with its designation as a specialized conventional combat-arms career field and recognizes the community’s role in delivering combat capability at the tactical edge.
For over 15 years the AF EOD community has been working to make this happen.
AFSOC Proves HAVOC SPEAR Precise and Effective
Thursday, October 1st, 2026NATIONAL HARBOR, MD. —
Air Force Special Operations Command announced its small cruise missile, the AGM-190A Havoc Spear, has been evaluated in a test configuration and successfully meets requirements to become an available weapons system for broader real-world use across a variety of special operations and conventional aircraft.
Havoc Spear is a mission-adaptable, modular-design small cruise missile that can be rapidly produced at relatively low cost. During a combat evaluation in the spring of 2026, the new missile’s capabilities proved to be accurate and effective when employed from an AFSOC platform in a test configuration, meeting AFSOC’s requirement for a small cruise missile.
“Havoc Spear’s range and capabilities expands standoff options, giving commanders a versatile tool to neutralize threats without putting platforms or personnel in immediate danger,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Conley, AFSOC commander. “It’s also not lost on us the value of being able to test a new weapon system in combat – and prove its success on the battlefield early on in the process.”
AFSOC partnered with U.S. Africa Command to conduct the combat evaluation within the Combatant Command’s area of responsibility.
“We work every day to disrupt the networks that have made Africa the epicenter of global terrorism,” said U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, AFRICOM commander. “These successful operational assessments prove we will continue to bring the unique capabilities only the U.S. can provide in order to defend U.S. interests alongside our partners.”
Working with industry partners, U.S. Special Operations Command spearheaded the acquisition of Havoc Spear on behalf of AFSOC using a cooperative research & development agreement to leverage the rapid, iterative weapon-development system. CRADA allows users to move faster than standard acquisition timelines to field innovative capabilities like Havoc Spear to the warfighter.
“To outpace our adversaries, we can’t rely on traditional acquisition pipelines,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Robert Johnston, AFSOC director of strategic plans, programs and requirements. “AFSOC is eager to explore more agile, lesser-known pathways to modernization to deepen industry partnerships, leverage calculated risks, and rapidly deliver capabilities to our warfighters.”
Havoc Spear’s capability will enhance lethality, create dilemmas for adversaries, and reinforce AFSOC’s commitment to maintain a decisive advantage against emerging threats across all domains. AFSOC continues to adapt, maintaining its steadfast commitment to providing exquisite support to ensure the joint force, special operations forces, and Department of the Air Force can conduct uncontested global operations.
Via Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
