AFSOC

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz and Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez

Combat Controller Robert Gutierrez Receives Air Force Cross

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In a ceremony attended by hundreds at Hurlburt Field, Florida on Oct. 27, Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez was presented with the Air Force Cross, the nation’s second highest award for …

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Air Force Medal of Honor

Why Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez Should Receive the Medal of Honor

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Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez, Jr. took a bullet and saved a dozen troops in an Oct. 5, 2009 firefight in Afghanistan where his personal heroism was unrelenting.

Gutierrez should receive …

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Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez

Combat Controller Robert Gutierrez to Receive the Air Force Cross

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In a raging firefight in Afghanistan’s Herat province on Oct. 5, 2009, Air Force Special Tactics Combat Controller Staff Sgt. Robert Gutierrez, Jr. took a wound and lost nearly half …

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A U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey from the 8th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla., flies a night mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom-Afghanistan. U.S. Army photo

AFSOC Year in Review Flight of the Phoenix

Reflecting on his time in Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Headquarters, Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster reminisced about one of the first staff meetings he chaired at the time …

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A Jedburgh team prepares for a flight into occupied France during World War II.  National Archives photo.

History of Air Force Special Operations A "Rich Legacy"

High over Nazi-occupied France, an all-black B-24 Liberator plowed through the night. Homing on a beacon from Resistance fighters on the ground, the Liberator approached its intended drop zone. The …

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A CV-22 Osprey multi-mission tilt-rotor aircraft from the 8th Special Operations Squadron takes off after dropping a Deployed Aircraft Ground Response Element (DAGRE) for a simulated tactical evidence collection as part of Exercise Emerald Warrior at Hurlburt Field, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 3, 2009. The deployment of the CV-22 Osprey to combat was a major milestone for AFSOC. U.S. Air Force photo by SRA Julianne Showalter.

AFSOC 2009-2010 A Steady Vision Guiding Many Changes

Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster is in his third year of his command tour at the Air Force Special Operations Command, AFSOC, and he says very plainly that his top three …

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STTS students undergoing training at Hurlburt Field, Fla. Today, combat controllers are fully combat ready upon assignment to their units. U.S. Air Force photo by SRA Julianne Showalter.

Hero School

In a time of continuous and unbroken war-fighting, the units in Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) need their newly assigned people to be “combat ready” as soon as possible. …

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DAEGU AIR BASE, Republic of Korea Members from the 320th Special Tactics Squadron freefall over Daegu Air Base, Republic of Korea, after jumping from the back of a 1st Special Operations Squadron MC-130H Combat Talon II March 19. The high altitude, low opening jump training was in preparation for the group's annual operational readiness exercise which affords unit members an opportunity to practice wartime skills necessary for their ability to survive and operate. The 353rd Special Operations Group is the focal point for all U.S. Air Force special operations activities throughout the U.S. Pacific Command theater. U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Aaron Cram.

A Banner Year AFSOC 2008-2009

Commander of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Lt. Gen. Donald C. Wurster gives his people three prime directives: to employ the force, to take care of AFSOC’s people, and …

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Last mission. U.S. Air Force MH-53 Pave Low helicopters from the 20th Expeditionary Special Operations Squadron in flight during their final combat mission on Sept. 27, 2008. The Pave Low was retired after nearly 40 years of storied service to the Air Force.

Pave Low’s Farewell

The MH-53M Pave Low helicopters of Air Force Special Operations Command flew their last missions supporting combat operations in Iraq on the night of Sept. 27 and 28, 2008. The …

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In the world of combat aviation advisors, the situation can change dramatically and often without notice, sometimes in dire circumstances. The 6th SOS airmen are  selectively recruited and rigorously trained for situations in which tactical movement proficiency may suddenly trump classroom instructor skills. Photo courtesy of AFSOC PA.

Combat Aviation Advisors The 6th Special Operations Squadron

The 6th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) is an admittedly odd duck in the “Big Blue” world of the U.S. Air Force. Not much “wild blue yonder” at all, as its …

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