Air Force Special Operations Command

The Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center organizes, trains, educates and equips forces to conduct special operations missions; leads MAJCOM Irregular Warfare activities; executes special operations test and evaluation and lessons learned programs; and develops doctrine, tactics, techniques and procedures for Air Force Special Operations Forces.

Vision: Transforming Airmen into Air Commandos who possess the specialized skills and warrior ethos to fight and win anytime, anywhere.

The 19th SOS is AFSOC's largest formal school and advanced mission rehearsal organization. Responsible for specialized training of combat-ready special operations forces to conduct covert, clandestine, and contingency operations. Exploits advanced technologies to provide realistic mission rehearsal during preparation for high-risk special operations missions directed by the Secretary of Defense. Any Time, Any Place.

Provide AFSOC's Western Air Commandos with unmatched combat training. Conduct initial mission qualification and upgrade training for the AC-130H, AC-130W, MC-130J, CV-22, Remotely Piloted Aircraft and all manner of light/medium commercial aviation transport aircraft...one mind, any weapon.

Executes the global special operations mission as part of the Air Force component of U. S. Special Operations Command. The 5th SOS is a Reserve squadron associated with the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center, directed to conduct formal special operations aircrew training. It accomplishes this mission by providing instruction in covert night infiltration, resupply, and combat infiltration/ex-filtration operations.

The Air Force Special Operations Command's formal school for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Irregular Warfare integrated skills training.  Responsible for specialized training of combat-ready joint special operations forces. AFSOC's designated agent for recruiting of designated SOF aircrew members. Conducts distributed mission operations and mission rehearsal in support of joint and multinational users. Provides training support to all AFSOTC-gained units.

To provide communications and information systems for command and control of Special Operations Forces worldwide, as well as respond to state emergencies as directed by the governor.

Air Force Special Operations Command's independent field test agency. The 18th Flight Test Squadron determines the operational effectiveness and suitability of aircraft, equipment and tactics. Conducts force development and evaluation, tactics development and evaluations, operational utility evaluation, operational assessment, advanced technology demonstration and supports AFOTEC's conduct of operational test and evaluation. Provides accurate and timely information and recommendations to the AFSOC commander for acquisition and implementation decisions, ultimately improving the survivability and combat capability of special operations forces worldwide.

Assess, train, advise and assist foreign aviation units in special operations airpower employment, sustainment and force integration. When required, execute operations directly employing inherent tactical skills.
Apply mission capabilities across the operational continuum with emphasis on combating terrorism (CT), foreign internal defense (FID), unconventional warfare (UW), and coalition support (CS).
Advise and assist combatant commanders, civilian agencies and foreign internal aviation units on planning and integrating foreign airpower into theater campaign plans, contingencies, and other joint and multi-national activities.

The U.S. Air Force Special Operations School is AFSOC's formal school conducting special operations education and professional development. The school develops, schedules, and executes joint education for up to 7,000 students annually. It implements AFSOC/CC and Commander USSOCOM educational strategy. USAFSOS conducts resident and off-station courses in joint/combined special operations, SOF command and control, cultural/geopolitical regional orientation, counterinsurgency, irregular warfare, force protection, and language training. With respect to language training USAFSOS provides foreign language initial-acquisition training and language sustainment and enhancement programs to meet the linguistic proficiency required of our Airmen employed in the areas of foreign internal defense, regional affairs training, and tactical operations.

USAFSOS Page

The 209th Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron is a Mississippi based Air Force Special Operations Command gained Air National Guard unit.
It is the Air Force's Pilot Unit for the AFSOC unique Collectively Protected Small Shelter Systems (CPSSS-3) and the High Mobility Decontamination System (HMDS) UTC's, providing specially trained Civil Engineer teams to set-up, maintain and operate these systems.
Through it's Fire & Emergency Services Flight, it provides Fire Protection and Management, Incident Command and Operations Teams in support of U.S. Air Force operations worldwide.
The 209th's senior leadership teams support planning and crisis operations for theater headquarters, joint task forces, and contingency operating locations.