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AFSOC Demonstrates ACE with Historic Highway Landing

Wednesday, August 7th, 2024

BONO, Ark. —

In a historic first, Air Force Special Operations Command successfully landed an AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship on Highway 63 in Bono, Arkansas, on August 4, 2024. This operation was part of a broader exercise, Emerald Warrior Field Training Exercise II, designed to showcase AFSOC’s Agile Combat Employment capabilities.

The exercise provided an opportunity for participating units to refine their skills and advance ongoing pathfinding and experimentation efforts within AFSOC.

“This exercise serves as a significant milestone for AFSOC, demonstrating our ability to operate in diverse and austere environments,” said Tech. Sgt. Robert Gallagher, lead planner for the highway landings, assigned to the AFSOC Air Commando Development Center. “By leveraging ACE concepts, we enhance our operational flexibility and resilience.”

Throughout the morning, Special Tactics Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Wing established and secured a landing zone on the highway.

Shortly after, a C-146A Wolfhound and an MC-130J Commando II from the 492nd Special Operations Wing landed on the five-lane highway.

The MC-130J crew then set up a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP), as the AC-130J assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida, made its approach, landed, refueled, rearmed and took off again.

The primary objective of this exercise was to validate AFSOC’s capability to operate in austere environments with minimal infrastructure. Key tasks included securing the landing zone and performing FARP operations, both critical elements of the ACE framework.

“Emerald Warrior FTX II demonstrates to our adversaries that we can meet them anytime, any place, anywhere, without the need for traditional runways to project air power,” said Col. Patrick Dierig, 1 SOW commander. “By landing an AC-130J on a highway and conducting FARP, we’re proving our ability to operate in austere and unique environments. It shows our commitment to maintain operational flexibility and readiness, ensuring we can deliver decisive airpower whenever and wherever it’s needed.”

The successful execution of this exercise underscores AFSOC’s commitment to evolving its capabilities and adapting to emerging threats. By continuing to refine and operationalize ACE concepts, AFSOC ensures it remains at the forefront of innovative and agile combat operations.

By MSgt Ryan Conroy

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Guest Post, SOF | 1 Comment »

Green Beret Barry Sadler On Patrol in Vietnam

Tuesday, August 6th, 2024

If you’ve ever spent any time at Camp Mackall, NC you’ve likely heard “The Ballad of the Green Beret” over the loud speakers. Well that 1966 song made it unto the pop charts and was sung by real-life Special Forces NCO SSG Barry Sadler. Here’s a photo of him in 1966 while on patrol in Vietnam, advising Montagnard forces.

Long-time SSD readers will likely recognize Sadler’s name and likeness from my posts on the Casca series of pulp fiction books which were launched in 1979 and are still in print but with a new author.

Posted in History, SOF | 3 Comments »

“Thunder Dome 2024” Promotes Innovation in Air Commandos

Monday, August 5th, 2024

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Participants from across the command took part in the first Air Force Special Operations Command Innovation Competition dubbed “Thunder Dome” here from July 15-19.

For the competition, Air Commandos presented projects and ideas to AFSOC senior leaders that required resourcing and development beyond their originating organization capabilities. Approved proposals stood a chance at receiving $2 million in Operation & Maintenance (O&M) funding.

Out of the 17 projects submitted to the AFSOC staff, only six were chosen to make the in-person presentation. The six projects were selected through weighted voting based on multiple factors including impact on readiness/advantage, alignment with AFSOC strategy, and feasibility of execution.

Prior to the presentations, AFSOC/Continuous Improvement and Innovation programs (CI2) provided teams extensive coaching for seamless presentations. Additionally, teams participated in an AFSOC/CI2 black belt certification project to improve future iterations of the Thunder Dome competition.

Due to the presenter’s outstanding ideas and preparation, the panel of judges decided to award all six projects funding.

“This is what AFSOC is all about; enabling Air Commandos to further develop innovative solutions that transform AFSOC and solve problems that impact our readiness and test our advantage,” said Lt. Gen. Mike Conley, commander of AFSOC.

Through conversations with AFSOC CI2, there is now a path forward to execute each projects funding.

The next Innovation Competition “Thunder Dome 2025” is in the works and will take place in January of next year. Ideas are currently being accepted by the Wing Process Managers.

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

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AFSOC to Host Second Iteration of Emerald Warrior 24

Thursday, August 1st, 2024

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command is hosting a second iteration of the Emerald Warrior exercise this year from July 29 – August 18, 2024.

This joint, combined exercise provides realistic and relevant, high-end training to prepare special operations forces, conventional forces, and international partners in the evolving strategic environment, shifting focus to growing kinetic and non-kinetic effects in strategic competition. It will be held at multiple locations in Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Nevada, and Puerto Rico.

This exercise hones the skills of participating units and is an opportunity to test future concepts in support of Agile Combat Employment operating under the Air Force Force Generation deployment model. In line with AFSOC’s Strategic Guidance, the exercise fuels on-going pathfinding and experimentation efforts within the command.

Additionally, Emerald Warrior applies lessons learned from real-world operations to provide trained and ready personnel to the joint force, while addressing priorities laid out in the 2022 National Defense Strategy.

Residents near training locations may experience increased military activity in their area. All training occurs at designated sites and is coordinated with local authorities.

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Press Release, SOF | Comments Off on AFSOC to Host Second Iteration of Emerald Warrior 24

Air Force Special Operations Command and Armaments Research Company Successfully Complete Prototyping Effort

Wednesday, July 24th, 2024

(A Special Operations Mission Sustainment Team member with 27 Special Operations Wing demonstrates firing from cover. Source: 371 Special Operations Combat Training Squadron)

Highlights:

• Milestones completed in collaboration with the 371st Special Operations Training Squadron.

• Technology integration supports future developments for Enhanced Situational Awareness combined with small unmanned aerial systems.

• ARC artificial intelligence-enabled weapon sensors support training for austere airfield defense within Agile Combat Employment.

Washington, DC – July 22, 2024 – Armaments Research Company (ARC) announced today that it has successfully completed a prototyping effort with the United States Air Force Special Operations Command to enhance training for austere airfield defense.

“Over the past year, we’ve worked to develop and demonstrate a tool that will enable connectivity, situational awareness, and decision-making at our tactical echelon. In future conflicts, the USAF must rapidly maneuver our bases and elements across the battlefield to generate combat air power in an expeditionary environment. That level of maneuver requires our tactical leaders command and control their forces, secure their location, and generate combat power.” – Lt Col Sean M. Williams, 371st Special Operations Combat Training Squadron Commander.

Through ARC’s Engage capability, Airmen are enabled to collect tactical scenario training data in real-time related to orientation of weapons, ammunition consumption, and maneuver of friendly forces.

The effort focused on leveraging advanced technologies and simulation systems to replicate real-world scenarios, providing aircrew members with immersive training experiences that closely mirror operational environments. AFSOC aims to empower its personnel with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in high-intensity, rapidly changing combat situations within emerging Agile Combat Employment doctrine.

Posted in AI / ML, Air Force, Contracts, Press Release, SOF | Comments Off on Air Force Special Operations Command and Armaments Research Company Successfully Complete Prototyping Effort

AFSOC Seeks sUAS Group 3 Swarm Carrier Drone Capability

Wednesday, July 24th, 2024

The U.S. Air Force Offensive small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) System Program Office (SPO) has issued a Request for Information to Industry to conduct market research to determine Industry’s ability to provide capabilities supporting the Air Force Special Operations Command’s (AFSOC) Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) concept within 24 – 36 months.

What they are after is a Group 3 sUAS capable of internally carrying and deploying Group 2 sUAS equipped with an Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) payload. Essentially, a drone capable of being launched from a C-130 which carries and deploys a swarm of even smaller drones.

This is one of three distinct RFIs to be issued that will cover the sUAS platform needs for fielding Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) capabilities within 24 – 36 months of this RFI.

The SPO intends to release three distinct RFIs, each covering a specific A2E sUAS capability, detailed below. The SPO is seeking Industry responses to help inform how it can provide AFSOC with air-launched sUAS capabilities that integrate Group 2 Air-Launched ISR systems, Group 3 Air-Launched Swarm Carrier systems, and Group 3 Air-Launched Signature Managed systems within the A2E architecture (see Appendix A, Figure 1) while complying with a Modular Open System Approach (MOSA). Specifically, the SPO will be seeking responses for each of the three capabilities below via three separate and distinct RFIs:

• Group 2 ISR – To be internally carried and air-launched via Common Launch Tube (CLT) from a Group 3 Swarm Carrier.

• Group 3 Swarm Carrier – To be deployed from a C-130 as an air-dropped, palletized effect, internally carrying and able to launch Group 2 ISR sUAS from CLTs.

• Group 3 Signature Managed – To be air-launched from a Group 5 system, act as a C2 node in a network/swarm of sUAS and send data from the contested/denied environment to the Joint Force.

Solutions must align with MOSA design principles and be cost-effective for the government. They must also be compatible with an Autonomous Government Referenced Architecture and the software chosen to support that architecture. Finally, solutions must demonstrate a maturity level and production capacity that confidently conveys the ability to deliver scalable quantity within 36 months.

RFI responses are due no later than (NLT) 1700 EST (sic) on August 09, 2024.

Read the details at sam.gov.

Posted in Air Force, Aviation, Contracts, SOF, UAS | Comments Off on AFSOC Seeks sUAS Group 3 Swarm Carrier Drone Capability

Naval Special Warfare, Submarine Squadron 11 Display Fleet Lethality

Saturday, July 20th, 2024

PACIFIC OCEAN — West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators participated in fleet interoperability training off the coast of Southern California June 24, focusing on increasing warfighting capabilities in the maritime domain.

The training involved aircraft from Commander, U.S. Naval Air Forces and the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772), assigned to Commander Submarine Squadron 11 (CSS-11).

“This training opportunity provided the submarine warfighters aboard USS Greeneville the opportunity to practice a unique capability,” said Capt. Kenneth Douglas, Commander, Submarine Squadron 11. “Expanding joint interoperability capabilities effectively demonstrates our asymmetric advantage on and under the world’s oceans and I look forward to continued training events with our Naval Special Warfare operators.”

During the training, Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators performed a military freefall and conducted an airborne drop of combat rubber raiding crafts (CRRC) off the coast of Southern California. Following this, the NSW operators rendezvoused with Greeneville at a designated location before returning to shore.

“Undertaking an operation of this caliber highlights the indispensable role that NSW and the submarine force play within the joint force,” said Capt. Blake L. Chaney, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group 1. “By synchronizing our operations, activities and investments, we not only bolster fleet lethality but also provide substantial value in securing access to either denied or contested areas.”

Engaging in ongoing training with Naval Special Warfare and Commander Submarine Squadron 11, ensures that the U.S. Naval force is well-prepared to tackle the challenges of a dynamic and competitive maritime environment.

CSS-11 is home to five Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines, which are capable of supporting various missions, including: anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict.

By Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Perlman And Petty Officer 1st Class Alex Smedegard

Posted in Guest Post, Maritime, Navy, Parachuting, SOF | Comments Off on Naval Special Warfare, Submarine Squadron 11 Display Fleet Lethality

Virtual Symposium Develops Air Commandos to Maximize Potential

Friday, July 19th, 2024

Hurlburt Field, Fl —

Participants across Air Force Special Operations Command took part in the Commando LEAD Symposium on July 15 virtually to learn techniques to continue to build the force we need.

“We have a duty as leaders to ensure anyone who chooses to serve has an environment to thrive,” said Maj. Gen. Rebecca Sonkiss, Deputy Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command. “We are talking about building strong teams, a fabric of unique and different thoughts, with trust, that are ready to deliver the full capabilities of our nation with the lethality we need to win,” she added.

The Commando LEAD Symposium had an array of speakers, which all focused on the need to maximize an Air Commandos potential and to sharpen their mindset.

“The Air Commando Mindset is a bias for action, setting really high standards, and holding each other accountable. It is this mindset that actually earns us the title Air Commando and comes from a rich heritage,” said CMSgt Anthony Green, Command Chief Master Sergeant at Air Force Special Operations Command. “We must have all three things and remain adaptive. We cannot allow ourselves to stagnate because of the risk of failure. Know the mission, seek our purpose, and unleash that out the box thinking that AFSOC has always been known for,” he added.

At the virtual symposium, participants were provided insights on how to cultivate a professional workplace, nurture workforce talent, and promote an inclusive environment.

“We are not a social justice organization, we are a combat capability generating and warfighting organization, but we can still find ways to take care of each other. And so, to that end, Air Force capabilities and warfighting skills are enhanced by the diversity of its personnel,” said SMSgt Remy Voisin, Senior Enlisted Advisor for the 1st Special Operation Wing Commanders Action Group.

Topics at the event included “Air Commando Mindset,” “Diversity as an Operational Necessity,” and “Overcoming Systemic Barrier’s.”

When we foster an environment of inclusion, our force becomes a more engaged, effective, and lethal.

“Bringing broad spectrum of teammates to the table so they perform to the best they can stands the test of time. Our expectation is everyone is a leader, and everyone needs to be leading in this space,” said Sonkiss.

LEAD stands for Leadership, Equity, Advocacy and Development.

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, Guest Post, Profession of Arms, SOF, Training | 1 Comment »