AFSOC employs small groups – called special tactics units – which consist of combat controllers, tactical air control party members, special operations meteorologists, and pararescuemen – along with pilots, maintainers and other airmen you’d find in other commands of the Air Force.

These airmen work closely with other military special operations units to form versatile joint special operations teams. AFSOC ensures that these special tactics forces receive the necessary training, equipment, and support to perform their critical roles in special operations.

Military commanders placed AFSOC in charge of readiness to execute global special operations, innovate to keep up with potential enemies like China or Russia, and ensure that the special forces members in AFSOC are ready to fight when the country needs them.

AFSOC’s personnel consist of highly trained and rapidly deployable Airmen, undertaking a wide range of global special operations missions. These missions encompass precision applications of firepower, infiltration, exfiltration, resupply, and refueling of Special Operations Forces (SOF) operational elements.

The command’s core missions include battlefield air operations, agile combat support, aviation foreign internal defense, information operations/military support operations, precision strike, specialized air mobility, command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. AFSOC is equipped with unique capabilities such as airborne radio and television broadcasts for psychological operations and aviation foreign internal defense instructors who provide military expertise to other nations for their internal development.

Almost 20,000 airmen in the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and civilian personnel make up AFSOC. The command’s active duty and Reserve component flying units operate an array of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, including the CV-22B Osprey, AC-130 gunships, EC-130 Commando Solo, MC-130 variants, MQ-9 Reaper, U-28, C-145A, and C-146A Wolfhound.

AFSOC’s forces are organized under five active-duty wings, one Reserve wing, two National Guard wings, one overseas group, and several direct reporting units. The 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field and the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, house specialized aircraft supporting special operations worldwide. These wings operate AC-130J/W, MC-130H, CV-22, U-28A, MQ-9, and C-146A aircraft.
Based at Hurlburt Field, the 24th Special Operations Wing provides special tactics forces for rapid global deployment, playing a vital role in enabling airpower success. It is the only special tactics wing in the Air Force, highlighting the command’s dedication to elite special operations capabilities.

Furthermore, the 352nd Special Operations Wing stationed at RAF Mildenhall, United Kingdom, serves as the Air Force component for Special Operations Command Europe. This wing employs advanced aircraft, tactics, air refueling techniques, and special tactics operators to transport, resupply, and support military special forces. With six squadrons and two different types of aircraft, the MC-130J Commando II and the CV-22B Osprey, the 352nd SOW plays a pivotal role in enhancing the global reach and effectiveness of AFSOC.

Based at Hurlburt Field, Florida, the 492nd Special Operations Wing (492nd SOW) is a crucial component of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The wing’s primary responsibilities encompass organizing, training, educating, and equipping forces to conduct special operations missions. It also leads Major Command (MAJCOM) Irregular Warfare activities, executes special operations tests and evaluation, and oversees lessons learned programs. Furthermore, the 492nd SOW is responsible for developing doctrine, tactics, techniques, and procedures for Air Force Special Operations Forces (SOF).