2/8/2011 - HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFNS) -- They all come from different careers fields, but have one thing in common -- they work in, or with, special operations. More than 1,200 students fill the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School auditoriums annually to participate in the Introduction to Special Operations course.
Students spend three days learning the basics of special operations and are also introduced to important topics such as irregular warfare and counterinsurgency.
The class familiarizes students the special operations mission, said 1st Lt. Barrett A. Darnell, ISOC director.
"Regardless of their Air Force Specialty Code, regardless of what Airmen do out in the wing, I want them to understand the big picture," Lieutenant Darnell said. "This way people have a good foundation to what special operations are, and it gives them a way to relate their job to the mission."
For many, the special operations mission has become an important asset to overseas contingency operations.
ISOC aims to make it easier for Airmen to interact with special operators from other services in the joint environment.
"Inevitably they will deploy, and they will be ambassadors of AFSOC when they work with their counterparts from other components," Lieutenant Darnell said.
The January ISOC class had a special guest giving the special operations senior perspective lesson, Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster, he AFSOC commander.
General Wurster emphasized the role of education and training in special operations. He also mentioned the stand up of Air Force Special Operations Training Center as a lasting legacy.
"This is the starting point for how we take Airmen and turn them into air commandos," General Wurster said.
USAFSOS is AFSOC's focal point for education. The school fulfills air commando educational and professional development requirements through a spiraled educational spectrum. ISOC is a gateway to other classes that USAFSOS offers in residence, off-station, or through distance learning.
2/9/2011 4:19:56 PM ET Took ISOC in '92 back for 10 more courses since. Great school and super cadre.
Mike, Ft Belvoir VA
2/9/2011 6:55:24 AM ET ISOC is an awesome intro to SOF. With today's battlefield interface between conventional and special operations forces as well as joint and combined team and operations ISOC offers a great opportunity to learn firsthand from experienced operators.
