On June 1st, to little fanfare, the US Air Force activated it’s newest wing, the 24th SOW. It is comprised of the 720th Special Tactics Group and the Special Tactics Training Squadron based at Hurlburt Field, FL, the 724th Special Tactics Group, Pope Field, NC and 16 recruiting locations scattered around the country. It’s also the third wing under AFSOC alongside the 1st Special Operations Wing also located at Hurlburt Field and the 27 Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
Capabilities of the Wing include airfield reconnaissance, assessment and control. Special tactics Airmen also engage in joint terminal attack control, personnel recovery, weather and environmental reconnaissance.
“Establishment of the 24th Special Operations Wing allows a single commander to lead the recruiting, training and development of our special tactics warriors and ultimately provide combatant commanders with world-class Airmen to accomplish their mission,” said Lt Gen Eric Fiel, AFSOC Commander.
By creating the 24 SOW, not only is a single Special Tactics commander enabled to lead, but pressure is alleviated by removing the responsibility of logistical planning from the groups so they can concentrate on the operational mission. No word yet on what the additional Wing structure will consist of.
According to AFSOC, with Col Armfield’s assumption of command of the new 24th SOW, Col Kurt Buller assumed command of the 720 STG. I’m glad to see the ‘Bull’ get this command and I hope we see stars on Col Armfield and his Vice Wing commander, Col Eric Ray soon as well. I’ve worked for or with everyone of those men and they are an amazing bunch.
Having been assigned to the 720th STG and the 21st STS, I can tell you that the men and women assigned to Special Tactics are some of the finest Americans I have ever known and the most competent Special Operators I have served with throughout a variety of Army, Air Force and Joint SOF assignments.
