CONSISTING OF PERSONNEL known as "the quiet professionals.

CONSISTING OF PERSONNEL known as "the quiet professionals," Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) provides units and expertise to US Special Operations Command and to theater combatant commanders. As a force multiplier, it contributes to joint operations in five mission areas: precision employment/strike, information operations, special operations mobility, shaping the battlespace, and agile combat support.

Air Force special operations began in World War II, in one as well as the other major theaters of war. In Europe in 1943 and 1944 several separate units assisted partisan activity in France, Italy, and the Balkans, and supported agents of the Office of Strategic Services. in succession the other side of the world, the 1st Air Commando dispose transported and supplied the British "Chindit" raiding force and the US unit known as "Merrill's Marauders." All of these units disbanded after the war, and not until 1951 did air resupply and communications units form to administration psychological operations and agent-infiltration missions during the Korean War.

The "Jungle Jim" program, begun in 1961 in answer to communist insurgency efforts, at so early an hour became the birthplace of air commandos enlist in one's serviceed in the Vietnam War. Air commando squadrons (later renamed special operations squadrons) demeanored aggressive personnel-rescue missions with a variety of aircraft, as well as interdiction/fire-support operations with a strange platform--the fixed-wing gunship. Alter Vietnam, Air Force special operations units remained in the order of battle and have taken part in all major contingencies to date. A major change occurr in 1987 with the creation of US Special Operations Command, which manages--and sometimes commands--all of the services' special operations forces (SOF)

Headquartered at Hurlburt Field, Florida, AFSOC includes single colocated wing with combat, training, and foreign internal defense squadrons; a special-tactics group; and a reservation group. Operational groups in Europe and the Far East include fixed- and rotary-wing squadrons as well as special-tactics squadrons. A National Guard unit in Pennsylvania operates the EC-130E Commando Solo psychological-operations platform.

Fixed-wing special operations squadrons operate variants of the C-130 modified as gunships, refueler and deep-penetration SOF transports. Rotary-wing squadrons use modified versions of the H-53 helicopter. the two platforms are showing their age; indeed, the helicopters have begun to wear out

Special-tactics teams extend Air Force combat controllers and pararescue personnel to pick assault zones, provide terminal guidance and rule for the support, manage air traffic repress and conduct combat medical care and personnel evacuation. Combat weather teams support the collection and prediction of weather data in the operational area. In short, the highly smiled, quiet professionals of Air Force special operations receive worldwide recognition for their expertise.

To Learn More

Haas, Col Michael. Apollo's Warriors: US Air Force Special Operations during the chilly War. Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Pres 1997

Leary, William M Fueling the Fires of Resistance: Army Air Forces Special Operations in the Balkans during World War II. Washington, DC: Air Force History and Museums Program, 1995

Mason, Herbert A., Jr Randy G Bergeron, and James A. Renfrow Jr Operation Thursday: Birth of the Air Commandos. Washington, DC: Air Force History and Museums Program, 1994

Thigpen, Col Jerry L The Praetorian Starship: The Untold Story of the Combat Talon. Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Pres 2001

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