24th Special Operations Wing

24th Special Operations Wing. The 24th Special Operations Wing is a highly specialized unit within the United States Air Force, serving as the sole special tactics wing under Air Force Special Operations Command. Activated in 2012, it consolidates all United States Air Force Special Warfare special tactics capabilities, providing uniquely skilled personnel for the most demanding joint special operations missions worldwide. The wing is headquartered at Hurlburt Field in the Florida panhandle.

History

The lineage of the wing traces back to the activation of the 24th Special Tactics Squadron in 1989, which itself drew heritage from the Air Commando units of World War II and the Aeronautical Evacuation Squadrons of the Vietnam War. Following the terrorist attacks of September 11 attacks, the increasing operational demands on special tactics forces led to a reorganization within Air Force Special Operations Command. This culminated in the stand-up of the 24th Special Operations Wing on 12 March 2012, a move that elevated the command and control of all special tactics squadrons to the wing level. This restructuring, championed by leaders like Lt Gen Eric Fiel, was designed to better integrate these forces with partners like the United States Army Special Forces and Navy SEALs during prolonged conflicts such as the War in Afghanistan and operations in Iraq.

Organization

The wing is composed of several specialized groups and squadrons. The 720th Special Tactics Group, based at Hurlburt Field, serves as the wing's operational lead, containing the deployable special tactics squadrons. These include the 21st Special Tactics Squadron, 22d Special Tactics Squadron, 23d Special Tactics Squadron, and 26th Special Tactics Squadron. The 724th Special Tactics Group at Pope Field, North Carolina, focuses on training, development, and readiness, encompassing units like the 24th Special Tactics Squadron and the Special Tactics Training Squadron. Additional support is provided by the 24th Special Operations Wing (United States)'s Maintenance Group and a dedicated Mission Support Group.

Missions and operations

Personnel from the wing, known as Special Tactics Officers and Combat Controllers, perform a wide array of high-risk missions in austere environments. Their core tasks include airfield seizure, establishing landing zones for Joint Special Operations Command forces, conducting close air support as certified joint terminal attack controllers, and performing combat search and rescue. They are routinely embedded with units from the United States Special Operations Command, such as the 75th Ranger Regiment and 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta, and have been pivotal in operations from the Tora Bora to the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. Their expertise in battlefield surgery and tactical emergency medical services is critical for mission success.

Aircraft

While the wing does not possess its own organic aircraft, its operators are qualified to employ a vast array of United States Air Force and United States Navy fixed-wing and rotary-wing assets in support of ground operations. They regularly control aircraft such as the AC-130J Ghostrider, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-35 Lightning II, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and various MH-60 Black Hawk and MH-47 Chinook helicopters. This integration is essential for conducting precision strikes, airborne operations, and personnel recovery missions deep inside hostile territory.

Notable personnel

The wing's community has produced numerous decorated heroes. Among them is Technical Sergeant John A. Chapman, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on Takur Ghar during the Battle of Roberts Ridge. Master Sergeant John J. Pighini received the Air Force Cross for valor in Afghanistan, while Senior Airman Jason D. Cunningham was posthumously awarded the same honor for medical heroism. Former commanders like Colonel Matthew W. Davidson and Colonel Claude K. Tudor have led the wing through significant phases of its development and global deployment.

Heraldry and traditions

The wing's emblem features a winged dagger, symbolizing the combination of global reach and direct action, superimposed over a globe, denoting its worldwide mission. Its motto, "First There… That Others May Live," encapsulates the special tactics ethos of pioneering hostile environments to enable follow-on forces and save lives. Personnel wear the distinctive maroon beret and the Special Tactics Badge, which are earned through the rigorous Special Tactics Training Squadron pipeline. The wing honors its fallen at the Special Tactics Memorial at Hurlburt Field and maintains a close-knit heritage with the Air Commando Association.