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 Forces utilizes for its various jobs. The four … [Read more…]
In an attempt to solidify its position as the premier Spec Ops force in the Indo-Pacific, the Australian Special Operations Command (SOCOMD) will be receiving a $3 billion boost to enhance its technological, infrastructural, and manpower capabilities. More specifically, the Australian government greenlighted the funds, which will be distributed over a period of 20 years. … [Read more…]
A female Airman wishing to become the first woman operator in the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) was dropped during the selection phase. More specifically, the Airman, whose name has been withheld by the Air Force for Operational Security (OPSEC) reasons, was trying out for the Special Reconnaissance (SR) career field. SR replaced the Special Operations Weather … [Read more…]
The Air Force is getting ready to completely overhaul its Special Operations Forces (SOF). The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is currently undergoing a transitional phase that will merge all the existing career fields under the new Special Warfare career field. More specifically, the current plan envisions one Air Force Specialty (1Z) that will include four … [Read more…]
A sniper team from the French Foreign Legion’s 13th Demi-Brigade (13e DBLE) won the 2019 European Best Sniper Team Competition. This year’s version of the annual competition was hosted by Germany and Latvia at the camp of the 7th Army Training Command in Grafenwoehr, Bavaria. In total, sniper teams from 16 NATO allies and partners participated—(Belgium, Canada, the Czech … [Read more…]
The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has a new commander. On June 28, Lt. Gen. Jim Slife replaced Lt. Gen. Brad Webb as the Air Force’s new special operations chief. He will now command close to 21,000 spec ops airmen. “When it came time to pick someone for AFSOC’s continuing legacy, General Slife was the obvious choice,” said Air Force Chief of Staff General … [Read more…]
The responsibilities of a superpower are many, as are the potential hotspots where American war-fighters might need to fight in the future. Consequently, in the modern multi-domain battlefield, allies and partners are essential to achieve mission success. Be it in the mountains of Afghanistan, the deserts of the Sahel, or the fjords of Scandinavia, American units will always … [Read more…]
A few months ago, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) announced its intent to establish a new Special Operations career field. Special Reconnaissance (SR) would replace the existing Special Operations Weather Technician (SOWT) military occupation specialty. The rationale behind the decision to renovate the SOWT career field stemmed from the advanced … [Read more…]
In a feat of extreme endurance, 20 operators from throughout the Air Force Special Operation Command (AFSOC) Special Tactics community will ruck an astounding 830 miles to honor their 20 Special Tactics brothers who have made the ultimate sacrifice since the War on Terror began in September 2001. The airmen will march from the Medina Annex, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, to … [Read more…]
In a major development, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) changed the Special Operations Weather Technician (SOWT) career field to Special Reconnaissance (SR). The Air Force has debated the future of its battlefield airmen for some time. SOWTs were seen as unnecessary with the advent of weather forecasting technology. Earlier in 2018, the service released a … [Read more…]
After decades of counterinsurgency operations, the United States military has begun shifting its gaze back to nation-level adversaries. According to the Department of Defense (DoD), Russia and China pose the greatest nation-level threat to the U.S. As a result, hereafter, military spending will place more importance on projects and capabilities that would be useful in a … [Read more…]
London, United Kingdom -- The British government announced that women will be allowed to apply for all jobs in the military, including combat roles. The decision had been suggested by the former British Prime Minister David Cameron. In 2016, Cameron had announced that gradually all military occupational specialities would be open to both genders. Female military personnel … [Read more…]
