Combat Controller gets Silver Star for saving Special Forces team

A Special Tactics Combat Controller (CCT) has been awarded the Silver Star for saving the Special Forces team he was attached to from being overrun by Taliban fighters. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Chris Grove received the Silver Star in a ceremony on November 15. The Silver Star is the nation’s third-highest award for valor […]

The Pic of the Day: AFSOC leaders attend the Commando Rally

In late October, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) hosted the 2019 Commando Rally. The event pooled together the Command’s senior officer and non-commissioned officer leadership to assess the state of AFSOC and plan for the future. Lieutenant General Jim Slife, the commanding officer of AFSOC, said about the Rally that “as a former […]

The Pic of the Day: Farewell Captain Ciechomski

Air Force Captain Andrew Jon “AJ” Ciechomski, passed away on November 13, after a long and spirited battle with cancer. A Special Tactics Officer (STO), Cpt. Ciechomski was assigned to the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, Pope Army Airfield, Fort Bragg, N.C. According to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Cpt. Ciechomski was “a qualified […]

Air Force identifies missing Combat Controller

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has identified the missing Special Tactics operator, who fell from a C-130 during a training exercise last Tuesday, November 5. U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant Cole Condiff was a Special Tactics Combat Controller (CCT) assigned to the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron (23rd STS), 24th Special Operations Wing (24th […]

Breaking: Special Tactics operator missing after falling from C-130

A Special Tactics Airman is missing after falling from a C-130 during a training exercise over the Gulf of Mexico. The unintentional drop took place on the morning of November 5. The Air Commando, whose name hasn’t been released by the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), was scheduled to participate, alongside fellow operators, in […]

October 19, 2001: America strikes back, Special Forces troops arrive in Afghanistan

Just five weeks after the horrible events that unfolded on 9/11 back in 2001, the United States answered. Coalition air forces were already hitting targets in Afghanistan, taking out terrorist training centers and key government installations. But on that day, the first Special Forces troops infiltrated into Afghan territory from Uzbekistan over the Hindu Kush […]

Special Warfare Operator: The Air Force’s new SOF job opens up

The Air Force’s new Special Operations career field is about to launch. After years of planning and much deliberation, the long-awaited Special Warfare (SW) career field opens up on October 31. The Special Warfare (1Z) career field will now encompass four Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs), which is the nomenclature that the Air Force utilizes […]

The Pic of the Day: Meet the new four-legged Pararescueman

Tech. Sgt. Rudy Parsons, a pararescueman with the Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Special Tactics Squadron, & his SAR pup, Callie, exit a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as part of Callie’s familiarization training. Callie is the only Search and Rescue (SAR) dog in the entire military. Currently, the Air Forces Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is […]

Leading by example: SOF dudes saving lives

Upon deciding to don the uniform, warfighters opt for the less trodden path. A path of selfless service and vigilance whether on or off duty. And often opportunities to serve the community arise at the most unexpected moments. This past month has shed light on another, less visible aspect of the Special Operations and military […]