Are you recently retired, separated, or preparing to transition out of service? The Next Ridgeline 2.0, a Green Beret Foundation program, empowers Green Berets and their families to navigate a purposeful transition. This program provides comprehensive support and resources, creating a seamless pathway to meaningful post-service opportunities.
Join us in finding your next Ridgeline in 2025. Submit your request for Next Ridgeline support:
greenberetfoundation.org/request-support
The USSOCOM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will soon be accepting submissions for the technology area of interest:
Special Areas of Interest
Phase I:
SOCOM254-003: Aviation Goggle Mount
The objective of this topic is to research and develop an innovative Aviation Goggle Mount capability that will be employed on various aviator helmets with various night vision goggle systems (i.e. AN/AVS-6 and Wide Field of View Aviation Goggles (WFOVAG) and shall interface with an Aviation Night Vision Imaging System (ANVIS) mount that is used by Special Operations Forces.
Direct to Phase II:
SOCOM254-D002: Operator Portable Oxygen Generation Device
The objective of this topic is to develop applied research toward an innovative capability to improve oxygen therapy at point-of-need in an austere pre-hospital environment. The goal is to develop a field instrument that is rugged, compact, and able to provide oxygen to patients and oxygen generation capabilities as far-forward as possible to reduce the need for oxygen cylinders.
SOFWERX will host a virtual Q&A session for the areas of interest on 18 February at 2:00 PM ET.
Click Here to RSVP (RSVP NLT 17 February 2025 11:59 PM ET)
Submit your proposal: (Submissions open 26 February 2025 12:00PM ET (Noon))
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – Registration to attend the 2025 Special Air Warfare Symposium taking place Feb 25-27 at Fort Walton Beach, Florida is now open. SAWS is a large, annual, global SOF Aviation gathering that brings together leaders, innovators, and industry experts to ensure the readiness of our SOF warfighters.
Now in its third year, 2025 SAWS overall theme is Forging the Future: Advancing SOF Aviation for Tomorrow’s Victory. This focus is on rejecting incremental improvements and instead the active pursuit of transformative capabilities that will rapidly provide USSOCOM and the Joint Force with a strategic advantage in the future.
SAWS is co-hosted by Air Force Special Operations and Global SOF Foundation and promises to expand on the previous two events. Click here to register for this unique opportunity to engage with and learn from the aviation-focused Special Operations Community.
– Courtesy of AFSOC Public Affairs
DISCLAIMER: Co-sponsorship of this event does not imply endorsement of GSOF, its services, or its products by the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command.
This video, produced by US Army Special Operations Command, features remarks presented by Command Sergeant Major Dave Waldo at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare and School Regimental First Formation on September 19th, 2024.
It is a charge for our newest generation, just now coming of age, to be more, to be better than even those of the Greatest Generation. We need you now, more than ever.
Take up the challenge join those who came before you, so that this nation will not perish from the earth.
The message is powerful. Share it.
If this video won’t show for you from the embed, go here.
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —
Last week, Air Commandos across Air Force Special Operations Command participated in the Thunder Dome innovation competition, at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Jan 7-8, 2025.
As part of the competition, Air Commandos presented their projects and ideas to AFSOC senior leaders. Many participants sought to either replace or enhance existing systems within their work centers to extend the longevity of their operations.
For example, a Senior Airman from the 352nd Special Operations Wing at Royal Air Force Mildenhall, England, presented a solution that uses more durable materials to protect equipment used for airdrops. By mitigating wear and tear during standard operations, the concept would extend the service life of the unit’s airdrop platforms. She added that the proposal would enhance mission effectiveness and decrease hours of manpower spent performing repairs.
Chief Master Sgt. Anthony Green, command chief of AFSOC, lauded the participants’ efforts in identifying solutions to improve their units.
“This competition goes back to the roots of being an Air Commando,” Green said. “You have all demonstrated that people with an innovative mindset help get the mission done. You are each trying to make your units the best they can possibly be and that’s really what being an Air Commandos is all about.”
This year’s competition saw 33 new project submissions across all of AFSOC. Upon review of the projects’ feasibility, leadership selected eight teams to present at the final judging panel. The command awarded funding to six of the final projects.
In addition to awarding funding, the Thunder Dome competition aims to foster a culture of innovation and creativity, which in turn, will help AFSOC outpace its strategic competitors, said Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, commander of AFSOC.
“Across the board I applaud you all for thinking outside the box – literally and figuratively,” Conley said.
The AFSOC innovation campaign is ongoing and Air Commandos at all levels are encouraged to submit ideas to AFSOC Innovation Campaign | GAIN | Guardians and Airmen Innovation Network for out of cycle funding consideration and to compete in the FY26 Thunder Dome competition. It’s never too early to submit.
Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs
Ottawa, Canada, 15 January 2025 – Millbrook Strategic Sciences Inc., an emerging leader in additive manufacturing of market-disruptive suppressor technology, is proud to announce the recent award of a contract with options to supply state of the art suppressors to the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). This key contract underscores the company’s innovative excellence and will deliver a groundbreaking flow-through suppressor technology, significantly enhancing operational readiness and the health and safety of end-users.
This competitively awarded contract marks a significant milestone for Millbrook, underscoring the exceptional operational performance of this scalable suppressor technology. It is the culmination of years in innovation cycles—from initial concept leading to this procurement award—emphasizing the value of supporting domestically manufactured solutions. This achievement not only reinforces Millbrook’s role as an innovator in advanced technology but also supports Canada’s commitment to “buying Canadian” and strengthening local industries.
Millbrook Strategic Sciences Inc. is honored to support this important contract and remains committed to optimizing operational readiness for its valued customers. This award not only recognizes the dedication and hard work of our team but also serves as a catalyst for continued innovation and leadership in the field as we move forward.
Attention Military, Government and Law Enforcement Professionals:
We are proud to join forces with US-based Strategic Sciences LLC at SHOT SHOW 2025 and look forward to seeing you! This is an excellent opportunity to explore how this groundbreaking suppressor technology can support your mission.
Please contact Rolando Mata of Strategic Sciences LLC at rolando.mata@strategicsciences.us (US agencies) or Frank Paquette of Millbrook Strategic Sciences Inc. at frank@millbrookcanada.ca (Canada & International agencies).
We look forward to connecting with you at the Strategic Sciences LLC Booth 32002, Venetian Expo Level II, Law Enforcement Section.
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —
An MQ-9 Reaper circles above the Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico, surveying the area below as it prepares to land on a dirt strip. On the ground the 1st Special Operations Mission Sustainment Team (SOMST) secures the landing zone, ready to refuel and rearm the aircraft.
More than 1,100 miles away, at Hurlburt Field, Florida, an MQ-9 pilot and sensor operator control the remotely piloted aircraft from a ground control station.
The 65th Special Operations Squadron hosted Exercise Reaper Castillo Nov. 4 to Dec. 18, 2024 to sharpen mission-essential tasks and develop MQ-9 Agile Combat Employment (ACE) capabilities. The goal: create a lighter, leaner and more agile force.
The exercise validated the MQ-9’s ability to conduct key operations in austere environments, including dirt-strip landings, refueling, rearming and rapid relaunch.
“In the future fight, we assess we will no longer be able to rely exclusively on the main operating bases that have persisted,” said the 1st SOMST flight commander. “Operating in austere environments anytime, anyplace and anywhere is critical. It enables commanders to have options – something critically needed in special operations forces.”
Typically, the MQ-9 requires a paved runway with a group of maintainers and extensive support functions. However, during the exercise a light SOMST footprint on an austere dirt airfield provided all necessary functions to support mission execution.
“If special operations MSTs can enable mission generation at the forward edge of the battlefield, it can increase the lethality, range, and overall capability of the aircraft for strategic and tactical national interests,” the flight commander said.
The MQ-9 Reaper is a versatile and precise intelligence, surveillance and strike platform and its adaptability and range of capabilities make it an asset for modern military operations.
These capabilities align with ACE, a strategy focused on enhancing flexibility and resilience by dispersing forces across multiple, often austere, locations. With its ability to operate in remote environments and adapt to rapidly changing mission requirements, the MQ-9 plays a role in supporting ACE’s emphasis on decentralized operations and rapid deployment.
“The MQ-9 is extremely relevant in today’s fight and will be in the future as well,” said a 65th SOS MQ-9 evaluator pilot and exercise mission commander. “It allows us to go places and do things that we cannot risk sending manned aircraft – such as high-threat environments.”
The exercise builds on the hard work of the 65th SOS’s sister squadrons over the past few years and will provide important data and lessons learned for the next squadron to push the concepts even further, said Lt. Col. Kurtis Paul, 65th SOS commander.
“On its surface, Reaper Castillo 24 is an exercise created and executed by the 65th SOS. But in reality, it’s another step in Air Force Special Operations Command’s efforts to push MQ-9 operations beyond conventional means,” Paul added. “It brought together many members from multiple AFSOC wings and it’s humbling to have the Lucky Dicers’ stamp on this iteration – this was truly a win for all of AFSOC remotely piloted aircraft and where we’re headed in the future.”
As the future of Air Force operations adapt to emerging technologies and evolving threats, the forward-thinking approach of these teams is crucial to unlocking the full potential of the MQ-9.
“We have to break out of the mindset that we need a huge, paved runway with co-located launch and recovery aircrews,” the mission commander added. “If we can free ourselves from the traditional mindset, it makes MQ-9 combat reach nearly limitless.”
By Senior Airman Deanna Muir, 1st Special Operations Wing
Marietta, GA – Maj. Gen. Justin Hoffman, Deputy Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, attended a delivery milestone on Dec 13, 2024 in Marietta, Georgia for the command’s final MC-130J Commando II. The fly-away ceremony commemorated the final stage of Lockheed Martin’s aircraft production for the MC-130J program and last handover to the Air Force.
“For decades, Lockheed Martin has consistently delivered critical capabilities for Air Commandos in a timely and effective manner,” said Hoffman. “As we continue in an era of strategic competition, we will continue to develop platforms to address future needs and integrate new capabilities.”
The first MC-130J was delivered in September 2011 to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. It first deployed in March 2013 to Afghanistan and supported over 400 missions, flying more than 2,000 hours, and moving an estimated 12,000 passengers and 9.4 million pounds of cargo.
The C-130J served as the recapitalization solution for AFSOC, modernizing 40-year-old legacy AC and MC fleets providing advanced avionics, navigation, and survivability features to enhance Special Operations mobility and strike.
“AFSOC’s receipt of the final MC-130J culminates an over fifteen-year effort to recapitalize and re-baseline the Special Operations C-130 fleet,” said Col. T. Justin Bronder, Special Operations Command PEO Fixed Wing. “This delivery marks both the end of this effort and the beginning of a new era; we will continue to relentlessly evolve AFSOC’s C-130s to ensure these aircraft possesses capabilities to advance our future force.”
Known as the Commando II, the MC-130J flies infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces by airdrop or airland as well as air refueling missions.
The final MC-130J will be delivered to the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland AFB in New Mexico to train future AFSOC Air Commandos in the formal training unit.
By AFSOC Public Affairs
