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CSM JoAnn Naumann to Command Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Strategic Command

Monday, October 6th, 2025

The Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, David L. Isom, announced today the following assignment:

U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann has been selected to replace U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Howard Kreamer as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Strategic Command.

CSM Naumann currently serves as the Command Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command and previously served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for Special Operations Command, Korea. CSM Naumann brings a wealth of joint and special operations experience to USSTRATCOM.

On behalf of the Joint Force, we are grateful for SgtMaj Kreamer’s leadership by example, his lengthy career dedicated to serving our Nation and our military, and the unwavering commitment and sacrifice by him and his family. Semper Fidelis.

Department of War

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Anniversary of the Battle of Mogadishu

Friday, October 3rd, 2025

On this date in 1993, US service members were engaged in what is now known as the Battle of Mogadishu. They were assigned to a joint organization named ”TF Ranger” to deploy to Mogadishu, Somalia in support of a UN-led humanitarian mission. Tgeir mission was dismantle an armed militia which was threatening that aid program.

By October 3rd, they had been conducting operations for quite some time, but that day’s raid would be unlike anything they had yet experienced. The mission was to raid the city’s Olympic Hotel in order to capture key leaders of the Aidid Militia who had been opposing UN efforts to feed the locals.

Unfortunately, during the exfil portion of the raid, a battle ensued which claimed the lives of 18 Americans and wounded another 73. Additionally, CW3 Michael Durant was captured by the Aideed militia after being shot down while piloting his Blackhawk. Fortunately, Durant was later repatriated and went on to retire from the 160th.

Of the men killed that day, two would be awarded the Medal of Honor, Delta Operators Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart, for their selfless efforts to protect Durant after his aircraft, callsign Super 64, was shot down.

A few years ago, the US Army reevaluated the awards presented to the participants of that battle and amongst the Ranger element, upgraded 60 veteran’s awards including 58 Silver Stars and two Distinguished Flying Crosses. The order of battle included other organizations and their Soldiers have received similar upgrades.

If you are unfamiliar with the events, one of the best accounts of the battle is contained in the book, “Blackhawk Down” by author Mark Bowden. Much of the information was serialized prior to the book’s publication in the Philadelphia Enquirer. Later this was made into a movie bearing the same name.

Please take a moment to remember these men and their sacrifice.

Additionally, the 75th Ranger Regiment was created on this day in 1984, along with the stand up of its 3rd Battalion. Four decades later, the Ranger Regiment boasts five battalions of some of the most elite warriors on the face of our planet.

Posted in Army, History, SOF | 1 Comment »

SOFWERX – Computer Vision (CV) Inference Engine and Model Training for Unmanned Systems (UMS) Assessment Event (AE)

Monday, September 29th, 2025

SOFWERX, in collaboration with the USSOCOM PEO-SOF Digital Applications (SDA) Unmanned Systems Autonomy and Interoperability (UxSAI) Program, will host an Assessment Event (AE) to identify technology providers capable of delivering cutting-edge computer vision capabilities for detection and classification for all USSOCOM unmanned systems. This event aims to evaluate whitepaper responses and down-select innovative solutions for a computer vision inference engine and model training solution that can autonomously detect, classify, and adapt to new targets and environments ultimately enhancing the operational effectiveness of UxS in resource-constrained and communication-denied environments to align with the goals and objectives of the UxSAI Program.

Computer vision rarely performs as intended and results in missed detections or improperly classified objects. Challenges exist with obtaining training data, utilizing the models on constrained resources, and deploying models over the air. UxSAI requests computer vision developers to improve our artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities and develop highly effective computer vision inference engines and pretrained models as part of an Enterprise machine learning operations (MLOPS) pipeline. Providers selected for participation will receive additional information and funding to prepare for the AE upon selection. The UxSAI Program intends to evaluate solutions through their Enterprise MLOPS pipeline as part of this event.

The UxSAI Program seeks a computer vision inference engine and model retraining solution that:

Demonstrates robust object detection and classification capabilities.
Optimizes Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C) for deployment on a variety of UxS platforms.
Enables training and adaptation to new objects and environments.
Offers a modular architecture suitable for seamless integration with existing architectures.
Enhances the autonomous capabilities of unmanned systems operating in challenging environments.
Informs the necessary interfaces, protocols, and data formats for integration, contributing to the development of an Interface Control Document (ICD).
The intent from this event is for UxSAI to work with providers selected from the AE to further develop their model through collaboration with the UxSAI Program

Submit via events.sofwerx.org/uxsai-cvmodeldev NLT 13 October 2025 11:59 PM ET

ITAR Restricted

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1st Special Forces Command – “What Makes Us Exceptional?”

Sunday, September 28th, 2025

Video by SPC Kyle Chacon
1st Special Forces Command (Airborne)

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Final Basing Decision for Special Operations Wing to Davis-Monthan AFB, Revisions to Maximize Effectiveness

Monday, September 15th, 2025

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —

The Department of the Air Force has selected Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, as the new location for the 492nd Special Operations Wing.

Originally announced in August 2023, the plan to establish the 492nd SOW at Davis-Monthan AFB has been refined to prioritize mission effectiveness, cost efficiency and alignment with Air Force and Department of War priorities.

Following the required environmental analysis, these previously announced units will relocate to Davis-Monthan AFB:

• Headquarters, 492nd Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida

• 492nd Special Operations Theater Air Operations Squadron at Duke Field, Fla.

• 319th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

• Air Combat Command Intelligence Squadron, new activation

Additionally, as part of a refined plan, Davis-Monthan AFB is identified as the preferred location for the following units as part of the 492nd SOW:

• 34th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla.

• 20th Special Operations Squadron and 20th Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico

The Air Force will begin the required environmental analysis on proposed changes beginning fall 2025.

Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

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AFSOC Stands Up 31st Air Task Force

Sunday, September 14th, 2025

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – Air Force Special Operations Command activated the 31st Air Task Force July 15 and marked the milestone with a stand-up and assumption of command ceremony Sept. 12 at Hurlburt Field.

The ceremony presided over by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Martin, AFSOC deputy commander, marked the official activation of AFSOC’s second ATF. U.S. Air Force Col. Brad M. Dvorak assumed command, and Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Greiner will serve as the command chief.

“We are activating the next Air Force unit of action,” said Martin. “This unit is deliberately integrated, self-sufficient, and ready to bring airpower anywhere in the world.”

ATFs are limited-scale, experimental units designed to provide combat capabilities to the Joint Force. As the Air Force transitions away from the Expeditionary Air Base model, ATFs serve as a step toward the Air Force’s long-term design for building fully ready, taskable units prepared to compete and win.

“We have been what the nation needed us to be for the last 20 years,” said Martin. “This is the next chapter in how the Air Force meets the next threats and challenges globally.”

Airmen assigned to the ATF will align with the Air Force Force Generation cycle, deploying as cohesive units rather than aggregating personnel from multiple installations. The deliberate cycle fosters unit familiarity and provides clearer assessments of Air Force capacity to the joint force.

“You won’t find a better integrated group of Airmen working across mission lines, united by a shared vision and forged through incredible community support,” said Dvorak.

The stand-up of the 31st ATF reflects a service-wide effort to build teams capable of delivering integrated capabilities to combatant commanders while strengthening the Air Force’s long-term force design.

“In short order, we’re bringing air superiority any time, any place, anywhere,” said Dvorak. “Chief Greiner and I are so grateful to lead such a talented group of individuals.”

The Department of the Air Force has designated seven ATFs across the service as part of this force presentation initiative. ATFs mark a key stage in the Air Force’s continuing path to modernization and readiness, ensuring the service is postured to outpace emerging threats.

Story by 2nd Lt Rachel Heck | 1st Special Operations Wing

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Thunder Dome: Looking Back, Powering Forward with AFSOC Innovation

Saturday, September 13th, 2025

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. —

Air Force Special Operations Command continues to champion innovation with its third annual Thunder Dome Innovation Competition scheduled this fall. Beyond the competition, the program’s success is measured by the real-world impact of its funded projects.

Every year, the competition solicits project submissions from Airmen across the AFSOC enterprise that can positively benefit readiness. Once reviewed, senior leaders select the teams with the best proposals to present in front of a judging panel. The command awards the winners with funding to develop their concepts into tangible solutions.

As we prepare for the next Thunder Dome competition, here’s a look at the progress of past winners and their ongoing projects:

From Prototype to Production: The LaraCota Comm Cord Tester

Funded through the 2024 Thunder Dome competition, the LaraCota Comm Cord Tester introduced by a member of the 27th Special Operations Wing, progressed from prototype to mass production upon additional evaluation at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.

K-RATH: A Collaborative Approach to Innovation

K-RATH, developed by the 492nd SOW, received an initial Thunder Dome award for prototype development. Further funding secured collaborations with Michigan Technological University students for engineering testing and product design by Nottingham Spirk, with support from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. The next stage for the project is further prototype development.

Enhancing Training Capabilities: The Electrical Training Board and Specialized Fueling Trainer

The 2025 Thunder Dome competition funded two projects focused on training. The 353rd SOW at Yokota Air Base received an investment to develop an Electrical Training Board, coordinating with Air Education and Training Command; while the 492nd SOW was awarded funding for a Specialized Fueling Trainer, currently under further prototype development with SOFWERX.

These featured innovations offer just a glimpse into the outcomes of the Thunder Dome competition. By empowering Air Commandos with funding, resources, and a platform to share ideas, AFSOC fosters a culture of continuous improvement with its annual Thunder Dome program.

Voting for the 2026 Thunder Dome Innovation Competition is now open and runs through September 26th. 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 DoD-Registered account and cast your three votes for the most impactful ideas. Every Air Commando voice matters!

Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs

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