The Son Tay Raid was a daring attempt to rescue approximately 50 American prisoners of war from North Vietnam. It was not successful.
Air Commandos
The gear that MACV-SOG warriors carried and how it’s still relevant today
Special OpsMeyer and the surviving SOG warriors are legends that the modern SF operators continue to look up to as forebearers who set lofty standards.
Air Commando recognized for bravery during ‘apocalyptic’ explosion in Afghanistan
Military AffairsStaff Sergeant Michael Rogers, an Air Commando, has been recognized for his actions during a hellish mass-casualty event in Afghanistan. Assigned to the 57th Rescue Squadron (RSQ), Rogers, a Pararescueman, received the 2021 Pitsenbarger Award from the U.S. Air Forces Europe and Air Forces Africa Sergeants Association for his life-saving actions during a nighttime operation […]
Emerald Warrior 21: The largest special operations exercise with a twist
On DutyEarlier in March, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) had the opportunity to host the biggest annual special operations exercise in the U.S. military. Exercise Emerald Warrior is the largest joint special operations training event in the U.S. Special Operations Command’s (SOCOM) calendar with SpecOps units from across the different services and even the […]
Air Commandos wrecking cars and saving lives
FeaturedJaws of life. Hooligan tools. Chainsaws. Hammers. Awkward names for things that could save lives on the battlefield as well as on the streets of America. But these and other tools can be found in the search and rescue and personnel recovery arsenal of the elite Air Commandos. Earlier in October, Pararescuemen and Combat Control […]
Air Force commandos save lost teen hiker
FeaturedA few days ago, the Air Force’s elite Air Commandos once more proved their worth by saving the life of a 16-year-old hiker who had gotten lost in Mt. St. Helens, Washington State. On September 28, a 16-year-old boy had gone hiking with his mother and 13-year-old sister in the Hummocks Trailhead of Mt. St. […]
Great Power Competition and the role of America’s Air Commandos
On DutyGreat Power Competition. Ever since the Department of Defense (DoD) published its new National Defense Strategy in 2018, Great Power Competition has become the new buzzword in military and intelligence circles. Despite – but also because of – the numerous government agencies and parties concerned about Great Power Competition the term doesn’t have an official […]
Elite Air Force team called in to rescue missing dad and his daughter in Oregon
On DutyEarlier in September, Air Commandos rescued two hikers who had got lost in Oregon’s Mount Hood. A 34-year-old man and his 7-year-old daughter had gone hiking but got lost and were missing for two days. At that point, the local Sheriff’s department requested the help of the Air Force. A combined team comprised of eight […]
Part-time commando makes history by breaking 3,000 flight hours in the Osprey
On DutyA part-time Air Commando has become the first pilot in the U.S. military to pass the 3,000-flight hour mark with the CV-22 Osprey helicopter. Lieutenant Colonel Luke Sustman, the new commanding officer of the recently activated 249th Special Operations Squadron and an officer with the Florida Air National Guard, achieved this historic feat earlier in […]
Assessment & Selection: How the Air Force chooses its commandos
CareerIn its unrelenting pursuit of a more clever, versatile, and lethal operator, the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has streamlined its Assessment & Selection process for Battlefield Airmen. Introduced last year, the revamped version of the Assessment and Selection (A&S) course is four weeks long and includes all Special Warfare specialties (that is, […]
