1st Special Operations Wing
The 1st Special Operations Wing (1st SOW) is a United States Air Force active-duty wing assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command, commanded by Col. Mark L. Hamilton, and stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida.[1][2][3] Its primary mission involves rapidly planning and executing specialized airpower and contingency operations to support national priorities, focusing on unconventional warfare capabilities such as counter-terrorism, combat search and rescue, personnel recovery, psychological operations, aviation advisory, close air support, precision airstrikes, and intelligence support.[2][4] The wing commands approximately 6,500 active-duty and civilian personnel, operating a diverse fleet of aircraft including the AC-130 gunship, MC-130 variants for infiltration and resupply, CV-22 Osprey for special operations insertion, and U-28 for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.[5][2] Tracing its lineage to the World War II-era 1st Air Commando Group, which pioneered close air support and troop transport tactics in the China-Burma-India theater under Colonel Philip Cochran, the 1st SOW has evolved through subsequent designations including the 1st Air Commando Wing during the Vietnam War, where it conducted interdiction and advisory missions.[6][4] Notable operations include participation in the 1980 Iran hostage rescue attempt (Operation Eagle Claw), extensive combat roles in Operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Inherent Resolve, providing precision fires, special reconnaissance, and personnel recovery in high-threat environments.[7][4]Mission and Capabilities
Core Missions and Role
The primary mission of the 1st Special Operations Wing (1st SOW) is to rapidly plan and execute specialized and contingency air operations in support of national security priorities.[2] These operations encompass a range of capabilities tailored for high-threat, austere environments, enabling the delivery of airpower to special operations forces.[8] Core missions of the 1st SOW include providing close air support to ground troops in contact, delivering precision firepower through aerospace strikes, facilitating infiltration and exfiltration of personnel and equipment, conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), and executing personnel recovery operations.[2] [9] The wing emphasizes agile combat support and multi-domain operations, integrating air assets with surface forces to achieve effects in unconventional warfare scenarios.[9] As a foundational asset within Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), the 1st SOW serves as a pivotal provider of specialized airpower for global special operations missions, supporting joint and allied special operations forces in counterterrorism, direct action, and other irregular warfare tasks.[8] Stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida, the wing maintains readiness for deployment in contested environments, focusing on interoperability with joint forces to enhance operational effectiveness as of 2025.[2] This role underscores its strategic positioning to execute time-sensitive missions requiring rapid response and precision in support of broader U.S. defense objectives.[9]Aircraft and Equipment
The 1st Special Operations Wing maintains a fleet optimized for special operations, featuring modified fixed-wing platforms for firepower and infiltration, tiltrotor aircraft for rapid insertion, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance (ISR) assets, and unmanned systems for persistent armed overwatch.[2][10] Key adaptations across these platforms include advanced sensor suites for low-light and night operations, electronic warfare systems to counter threats, terrain-following radar for covert low-level flight, and integration of precision-guided munitions such as laser-guided bombs and Hellfire missiles.[11][12][13]| Aircraft | Primary Role | Key Special Operations Adaptations |
|---|---|---|
| AC-130J Ghostrider | Close air support, air interdiction, armed reconnaissance | Precision Strike Package with 30mm/105mm guns, mission management console, large-magnitude color displays for sensor fusion, and enhanced communications for ground force coordination; supports all-weather, day/night operations via electro-optical/infrared sensors.[11][14][15] |
| MC-130J Commando II | Infiltration/exfiltration, resupply, helicopter/tiltrotor refueling | Low-level penetration with terrain-following radar, digital glass cockpit with head-up displays, and special operations-modified ramp for airdrop/landing in denied areas; enables clandestine missions under electromagnetic jamming.[12][16] |
| CV-22 Osprey | Specialized mobility for special operations forces | Tiltrotor design for vertical takeoff/landing transitioning to fixed-wing cruise speeds over 240 knots; integrated defensive countermeasures against infrared/radar missiles, terrain-avoidance systems, and encrypted datalinks for high-threat insertion/extraction.[13][17][18] |
| U-28A Draco | Tactical ISR and forward air control | Modified Pilatus PC-12 with multi-spectral sensors for real-time targeting, communications relay, and persistent overwatch; supports surge operations in austere environments for special ground forces.[19][20] |
| MQ-9 Reaper | Armed reconnaissance, irregular warfare support | Unmanned endurance up to 27 hours with synthetic aperture radar, electro-optical/infrared cameras, and up to 3,850 pounds of precision munitions; adaptable for austere field launches with minimal support for rapid deployment.[21][22][23] |