USAF Special Operations
United States Air Force Special Operations are carried out by a range of units with a number of different roles.
AFSOC
The majority of USAF Special Operations Forces come under control of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).
more info : AFSOC organization
Special Operations Squadrons
These Air Commandos operate fleets of specialised aircraft on a variety of missions.
more info : Special Operations Squadrons
6th Special Operations Squadron
AFSOC's Foreign Internal Defence (FID) specialists.
more info : 6th SOS
427th Special Operations Squadron
Secretive AFSOC unit that supports SOF and CIA operations.
more info : 427th SOS
Non-standard Aviation
AFSOC operates a fleet of intra-theater aircraft for covert operations.
more info : NSA
Special Operations Low Level II
Air Mobility Command C-17A Globemaster crews trained to support SOF.
more info : SOLL-II
Special Tactics
Overview of the Special Tactics Teams (STTs) - AFSOC's Battlefield Airmen.
more info : Special Tactics Squadrons
Combat Controllers
AFSOC Combat Controllers (CCTs) survey airfields, marshall air traffic and call in air strikes.
more info : Combat Controllers
Pararescumen
Pararescue Jumpers (PJs) tasked with the recovery and medical treatment of personnel.
more info : Pararescuemen
Combat Weathermen
Special Operations Weather Teams (SOWTs) conduct behind-the-lines meteorological reconnaissance.
more info : SOWTs
Tactical Air Control Parties
Tactical Air Control Party JTACs provide the link between SOF and attack aircraft.
more info : TACPs
Tactical Response Force
The Air Force's 'Nuclear SWAT Teams' who guard missiles, bombers and warheads.
more info : TRF
SOSFS
Special Operations Security Forces Squadrons (SOSFS) proovide force protection for AFSOC at home and abroad.
more info : SOSFS
Special Operations Aircraft
AFSOC Air Commandos operate fleets of specialised aircraft on a variety of missions:
- AC-130H/U Gunship
- CV-22 Osprey
- EC-130J Commando Solo
- MC-130E/H Combat Talon I/II
- MC-130P Combat Shadow
- MC-130J Commando II
- MC-130W Combat Spear
- MC-130W Dragon Spear
- MH-53J/M Pave Low
- MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
- U-28A
M-28 Skytruck
Q-200
(non-standard aviation) - BATMAV Micro Unmanned Aircraft System
- Desert Hawk Small Unmanned Aircraft System
- RQ-11 Raven Small Unmanned Aircraft System
- Scan Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System
- RC-26B
- UH-1N helicopter
Anatov AN-26
C-47
Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopters
(operated by the 6th Special Operations Squadron) - C-212-200 / C212-300 Aviocar
CN-235
(operated by the 427th Special Operations Squadron)
more info : Special Operations Squadrons