Hurlburt Field - The sounds of gunfire woke U.S. Air Force Captain James Ryan on an early August morning in 2021.
“There’s a problem, we have to go now,” his aircraft commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Scott Hardman, told Ryan from their deployed location in Afghanistan.
An Airman’s swing: A journey from the battlefield to the baseball field
Hurlburt Field - U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Travis J. Hackett, a member of the 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron, has an inspiring story that intertwines his love for baseball and his dedication to serving his country.
Junior Officer reflection–Air Force Comptroller leading and living Agile Combat Employment (ACE)
Hurlburt Field - As an Air Force Comptroller, our ability to adapt to the ebbs and flows of the budget environment and our customer needs is what makes our career field essential to the success of our great nation and the Department of Defense. It is exactly the mind set we need as the Air Force shifts into the Joint All Domain environment. In the conflict against a peer competitor, it will be key to provide flexible and resilient formations to meet commanders’ intent–within the Air Force, we call it Agile Combat Employment.
SMART trailer helps restore firefighters in rough conditions
In 2020, an F-22 Raptor crashed deep within the Eglin range. In the barren location with nothing but trees, snakes, fires, and jet plane wreckage, emergency responders endured sweltering 100-degree May heat for hours without access to restrooms or just a cool place to sit down and recharge.
Battling the cold: Hurlburt Field’s arctic-ready Airmen
Hurlburt Field - In an era of ever-evolving challenges and threats, the Airmen of Hurlburt Field’s Mission Sustainment Team are constantly seeking new ways to prepare for the demands of the modern world. One such initiative took them to the McKinley Climatic Laboratory at Eglin Air Force base in Florida, where they conducted intensive cold weather training, pushing the limits of their abilities and equipment.
Foreign Air Attachés visit AFSOC
Air Force Special Operations Command welcomed Air Attachés from 12 various allied and partner nations to Hurlburt Field, Florida, October 23, 2023.
Attaché tours are a key function of the Department of the Air Force Foreign Liaison Office, which organizes the engagements to enhance partners’ understanding of American history and culture and enable firsthand experience with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force operations and structure.
Go Blue, Stay Blue: Fostering a diverse force
The decision to raise your right hand and take the Oath of Office can feel like a huge leap of faith. This was the case for U.S. Air Force Capt. Donsha Watkins, 9th Reconnaissance Wing chaplain, who pondered this decision for many years.
AFSOC embraces Extended Reality (XR) to enhance readiness
Hurlburt Field, Fla. - Extended Reality (XR) is revolutionizing the way Air Force Special Operations Command is approaching training and readiness. XR is an umbrella term that encompasses Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR) to create a spectrum of experiences that range from fully virtual environments to overlays of digital content onto the real world. These technologies manipulate our perception of reality, hence the term "extended." The manipulation of reality is at the core of XR, and it's transforming the training landscape of AFSOC.
Resiliency message emphasizes community importance
Eglin Air Force Base - The base hosted two resiliency training sessions here Oct. 2.
Kristen Christy, a national resilience trainer, shared her message with base personnel, including her own heartbreaking story of tragic losses.
Marine Corps Valkyrie completes first flight
Eglin Air Force Base - The Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, a highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle successfully completed its first test flight here Oct 3.
The Marine Corps partnered with the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Naval Air Systems Command and Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division to facilitate the ongoing research, development, test and evaluation of the aircraft.