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109-681: Air Force Special Operations Command ( AFSOC ), headquartered at Hurlburt Field , Florida, is the special operations component of the United States Air Force . An Air Force major command (MAJCOM), AFSOC is also the U.S. Air Force component command to United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), a unified combatant command located at MacDill Air Force Base , Florida. AFSOC provides all Air Force Special Operations Forces (SOF) for worldwide deployment and assignment to regional unified combatant commands. Before 1983, Air Force special operations forces were primarily assigned to

218-560: A Rescue or Special Tactics team as per the needs of the Air Force. Graduates assigned to Rescue Squadrons will receive on-the-job operational upgrade training. Graduates assigned to Special Tactics Squadrons attend portions of Advanced Skills Training at the Special Tactics Training Squadron along with Air Force Combat Controllers in order to complete most of their operational upgrade training. This course

327-462: A dual role: still reporting to MAC, but also functioning as the air component to USSOCOM. From late December 1989 to early January 1990, 23 AF participated in the invasion of the Republic of Panama during Operation Just Cause . Special operations aircraft included both active duty AC-130H and Air Force Reserve AC-130A Spectre gunships, EC-130 Volant Solo psychological operations aircraft from

436-658: A great many casualties, the Eighth Air Force initiated a 'sea rescue' group. From its creation in 1943 until the end of the war, the recovery rate of aircrews downed at sea rose from less than five percent to over forty percent. In the vast reaches of the Pacific Theater , a plane crash meant almost certain death from exposure to the elements. The Army formed several squadrons in theater specifically to aid and rescue downed flyers—both at sea and on islands—with great success. The China Burma India Theater (CBI)

545-449: A higher proficiency level. This training will qualify the new PJ to work as an element leader, in charge of a two-person PJ team on a helicopter. PJs will also attend medical refresher courses to keep them current as National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians . PJs will experience two-week hospital internships in the emergency department, labor and delivery, surgical intensive care, pediatric emergency department, operating room, and

654-543: A long-term presence in the Philippines during Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines . In March 2003, AFSOC again deployed forces to southwest Asia this time in support of what would become Operation Iraqi Freedom – the removal of Saddam Hussein and his Baathist government. The command's personnel and aircraft teamed with SOF and conventional forces to quickly bring down Saddam Hussein 's government by May 2003. AFSOC forces continued to conduct operations in support of

763-450: A path back to civilization, enduring harsh weather, little food, and the injuries they sustained during the crashes. Capt. John L. "Blackie" Porter—a former stunt pilot —is credited with commanding the first organized air rescue unit in the theater. Known as "Blackie's Gang" and flying out of Chabua , India , they were equipped with two C-47 aircraft. One of their first rescue missions was the recovery of twenty people who had bailed out of

872-542: A reenactment of the training sessions by three civilian-owned B-25 Mitchells at Duke Field on 31 May. Navy personnel from NAS Pensacola , as flight deck "shirt" crew, represented that service's contribution to the Tokyo mission. Gulf-facing launch sites for drones beginning with Republic-Ford JB-2 Loons, American copies of the V-1 "buzz bombs", were operated on Santa Rosa Island , from Site A-15, directly south of Field 9 from

981-780: A separate commander. After flying combat missions from Great Britain in B-17s and receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) , Lieutenant Hurlburt was assigned in mid-1943 to the First Proving Ground Electronics Test Unit at Eglin Field. He died on October 1, 1943, when his Lockheed AT-18 Hudson gunnery trainer, 42-55591 , crashed during take-off at Eglin. An official history of Eglin AFB's early years cites October 2, 1943, as

1090-522: A stricken C-46 in August 1943 in the Naga area of Burma ; an area that contained not just Japanese troops, but tribes of head hunters as well. Among the twenty was CBS reporter Eric Sevareid . The men were located and supplies were dropped to them. The wing flight surgeon , Lt. Col. Don Flickinger , and two combat surgical technicians, Sgt. Richard S. Passey and Cpl. William G. MacKenzie, parachuted from

1199-418: A subordinate numbered air force of MAC, with 23 AF headquarters initially established at Scott Air Force Base , Illinois. On 1 August 1987, 23 AF headquarters moved to Hurlburt Field , Florida. AFSOC elements include Combat Controllers (CCT) , Pararescuemen (PJ) , Special Reconnaissance (SR) , and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) . The following list contains the flying and Special Tactics squadrons of

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1308-526: A surface-to-air missile. The 6555th Guided Missile Wing operated CGM-13/TGM-13 Mace cruise missiles from the island. On January 5, 1967 an international incident was narrowly avoided when a TGM-13 Mace, launched from Santa Rosa Island, which was supposed to circle over the Gulf on a racetrack course for shoot-down by a pair of Eglin F-4 Phantoms , instead, headed south for Cuba . A third F-4 overtook

1417-486: A two-week ambulance rotation with an assignment to an Advanced Life Support EMS unit responsible for responding to a variety of 911 emergency calls. Since the 1950s, Air Force Pararescueman have provided training and mentorship for Civil Air Patrol cadets. This was formalized in 1977 with the introduction of Pararescue Orientation Course (PJOC) at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. PJOC was later taught at Fort Knox, Kentucky and George Washington National Forest, Virginia. The course

1526-746: A variety of courses, including courses in Dynamics of International Terrorism, and the Middle East Orientation Course. The Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) was previously located at Hurlburt Field until its relocation to MacDill AFB in 2011. JSOU's lecturers include specialists from all branches of the US military, the US Department of State, Central Intelligence Agency, civilian universities, and nongovernmental organizations. The Florida Air National Guard activated

1635-895: A waterborne field training exercise . This course instructs free fall parachuting (HALO) using a high performance parafoil . The course provides wind tunnel training, in-air instruction focusing on student stability, aerial maneuvers, air sense and parachute opening procedures. Each student undertakes a minimum of 30 free fall jumps including two day and two night jumps with supplemental oxygen, rucksack and load-bearing equipment. This course teaches basic survival techniques for remote areas using minimal equipment. This includes instruction of principles, procedures, equipment and techniques that help individuals to survive, regardless of climatic conditions or unfriendly environments, and return home. Also includes Underwater Egress Training (1 day) at Naval Air Station Pensacola , Florida , this course teaches how to safely escape from an aircraft that has landed in

1744-942: Is Special Tactics, the U.S. Air Force's special operations ground force. Similar in ability and employment to Marine Special Operations Command ( MARSOC ), U.S. Army Special Forces and U.S. Navy SEALs , Air Force Special Tactics personnel are typically the first to enter combat and often find themselves deep behind enemy lines in demanding, austere conditions, usually with little or no support. The command's Special Tactics Squadrons are led by Special Tactics Officers (STOs). Special Tactics Squadrons combine Combat Controllers , Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) , Air Force Special Reconnaissance , Pararescuemen (PJs) and Combat Rescue Officers (CROs) to form versatile SOF teams. AFSOC's unique capabilities include airborne radio and television broadcast for psychological operations , as well as combat aviation advisors to provide other governments military expertise for their internal development. Due to

1853-489: Is a long string of courses including Combat Dive School , Army Airborne, National Registry for Paramedic, Survival (SERE-C), and Military Free-fall Parachutist. Upon completing the aforementioned, a pararescue trainee is required to then complete the Pararescue Apprentice Course, which combines all the prior skills and adds a few more. Once a Pararescueman has completed the pipeline, he is assigned to

1962-806: Is assigned a three-letter location identifier of HRT by the Federal Aviation Administration , but it does not have an International Air Transport Association (IATA) airport code (the IATA assigned HRT to RAF Linton-on-Ouse in England). Hurlburt began as a small training field for the much larger Eglin Field . It was initially designated Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 9, and later as Eglin Air Force Base Auxiliary Field 9/Hurlburt Field when

2071-435: Is awarded the maroon beret and qualifies aircrew as pararescue recovery specialists for assignment to any Pararescue unit worldwide. After the new PJ arrives at their first unit, training continues for another 450 days. This is called a progression tour. An instructor will be with the new PJ at all times until they've completed this training. Much of it covers the same skills learned during initial "pipeline" training but to

2180-400: Is designed to give candidates the best possible chance of getting through selection. They are coached in collegiate-level strength/conditioning, running, swimming, nutrition, physical therapy, and other specialties. This course is currently only for Non-Prior Service aircrew, while Prior Service aircrew attend a condensed two-week course. Indoctrination Course (currently A&S) Training Gear

2289-553: Is divided into two segments: Field Phase and Selection Phase; Field Phase (2.5 weeks): Time is spent in the field, sleeping in makeshift lodging in cots with sleeping bags. Pool work consisting of surface swimming, water confidence, running, rucking (walking with a loaded backpack), grass & guerrilla drills, calisthenics, and extended training days. Selection Phase (1.5 weeks): Candidates will be administered tests, surveys, critiques, and interviews. Instructors will compile all relevant information and select only those candidates that meet

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2398-400: Is essentially made up of a high volume face mask, a silicone snorkel, rocket fins and booties. The mask and snorkel are key throughout training, being used in water confidence training such as water inserted into the mask throughout the training, simulating the effect of being underwater regardless of whether submerged or not. Mask and snorkel recovery is a key portion that is tested on, in which

2507-415: Is located across from the main base divided by U.S. 98 along the beachfront of Santa Rosa Sound. The Reef is the main dining facility on base and has won the title of best dining facility in the Air Force nine times. A grade-separated intersection at the main gate with a fly-over on U.S. 98 was completed in the summer of 2015, greatly relieving a long-time traffic bottleneck. Starting in 1970s there

2616-406: Is one of the hardest national cadet special activities and teaches CAP cadets fundamental survival and rescue skills such as shelter building, land navigation, and rock climbing . Advanced Pararescue Orientation Course (APJOC) began in the 1980s and was taught only at Kirtland AFB. In 2003, both programs were cancelled. PJOC returned in 2004, but APJOC did not see its return until 2008 when the course

2725-406: The 306th Bomb Wing at MacDill AFB , Florida. Most facilities were located west of the runway, including hangars, through the 1980s. With the growth and importance of special operation capabilities, Lockheed AC-130 Spectre/Spooky gunship and MC-130 Combat Talon/Combat Spear operations have remained on the western flight line, while additional hangars and ramps have been constructed northeast of

2834-488: The 319th Air Commando Squadron departed on April 10. The 20th Special Operations Squadron reactivated in 1976 at Hurlburt Field, the unit mission remaining unconventional warfare and special operations using UH-1N gunships and CH-3Es . The HH-53H Pave Low replaced the CH-3E in 1980, providing a long range, heavier lift helicopter capability. "The Air Force's newly operational fleet of nine HH-53H Pave Low CSAR helicopters

2943-554: The 34th , 37th , and 95th Bomb Squadrons assigned under the 17th Bomb Group . "Officers and airmen of the 17th crossed the Pacific in three echelons. Some flew their B-26's [ sic ] from Miho Air Base , Japan, to Florida. The main body made the trip on the troop ship General Gaffney , while another group, comprising airmen from other Fifth Air Force units, arrived in San Francisco in early April 1955, aboard

3052-727: The Balkans . The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, and the Pentagon, Washington D.C., on 11 September 2001 pushed the United States special operations forces to the forefront of the war against terrorism . By the end of September 2001, AFSOC deployed forces to southwest Asia for Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan to help destroy the al Qaeda terrorist organization and remove

3161-543: The Civil Air Patrol , a civilian aviation group under the command of the Army Air Corps . The CAP would usually send in ground crews after locating a crash site; however, they would sometimes land small aircraft and they did experiment with parachute rescue teams. With Canada's entry into WWII in 1939, former Canadian fighter ace Wop May was put in charge of training operations and took over command at

3270-644: The HH-3 Jolly Green Giant , HH-43 Huskie , and HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant helicopters to provide fast rescue for pilots shot down far behind enemy lines. An elite corps of USAF Firefighters, Airborne Rescuemen/Firefighters , were part of these rescue operations. Pararescue personnel were part of these packages to provide medical assistance for injured aircrew as well as the ability to patrol for missing aircrew that might have been unconscious or dead. Pararescue team members would be inserted to conduct LSO (Limited Surface Operations) searches while

3379-969: The House of Representatives . The key provisions of the legislation formed the basis to amend the 1986 Defense Authorizations Bill. This bill, signed into law in October 1986, in part directed the formation of a unified command responsible for special operations. In April 1987, the DoD established the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base , Florida, and Army GEN James J. Lindsay assumed command. Four months later, 23 AF moved its headquarters from Scott AFB to Hurlburt Field , Florida. In August 1989, Gen Duane H. Cassidy, USAF, CINCMAC, divested 23 AF of its non-special operations units, e.g., search and rescue, weather reconnaissance, etc. Thus, 23 AF served

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3488-685: The Nicaraguan jungle to aid a crewmember who had parachuted from a crippled B-17 Flying Fortress . His actions earned him the Bronze Star and made him another of Pararescue's early legends. Shortly after Pararescue teams were authorized, the 5th Rescue Squadron conducted the first Pararescue and Survival School at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida . The core of instructors were experienced officers and enlisted men who were recruited from all branches of service. The commandant of that first school

3597-762: The Tactical Air Command (TAC) and were generally deployed under the control of U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) or, as had been the case during the Vietnam War , Pacific Air Forces (PACAF). Just as it had relinquished control of the C-130 theater airlift fleet to Military Airlift Command (MAC) in 1975, TAC relinquished control of Air Force SOF to MAC in December 1982. AFSOC was initially established on 10 February 1983 as Twenty-Third Air Force (23 AF),

3706-629: The Taliban regime in Afghanistan . AFSOC airpower delivered special tactics forces to the battle ground and they in turn focused U.S. airpower and allowed Afghanistan's Northern Alliance ground forces to dispatch the Taliban and al Qaeda from Afghanistan. AFSOC personnel also deployed to the Philippines to help aid that country's efforts against terrorism. US Air Force Special Operations had

3815-489: The U.S. Air Force became an independent service, before being administratively separated from the rest of the Eglin AFB complex in the 1950s. However, once separated, the facility retained its history and kept all building numbers the same; i.e., all start with a "9". The installation was named by then-Eglin Field base commander Brigadier General Grandison Gardner for First Lieutenant Donald Wilson Hurlburt (1919–1943), who

3924-474: The field . Its subordinate 4751st Air Defense Missile Squadron continued operations as a tenant until November 30, 1979. It operated IM-99/CIM-10 Bomarc surface-to-air missiles from this site. On August 18, 1960, a Bomarc missile from the Santa Rosa launch facility made a direct hit on its target, a QB-47 E drone of the 3205th Drone Group, marking the first shoot-down of a multi-jet medium bomber by

4033-573: The 1 SOW, which assumed host unit responsibilities. A year later the 1 SOW became the 16 SOW in a move to preserve Air Force heritage. Meanwhile, the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center (SMOTEC), which explored heavy lift frontiers in special operations capabilities, while pursuing better equipment and tactics development, was also reorganized. In April 1994, the Air Force, in an effort to standardize these types of organizations, redesignated SMOTEC as

4142-457: The 17th Bombardment Wing, Tactical, and received B-66 aircraft in early 1956. The first jet aircraft to land at Hurlburt was a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star which arrived from Ninth Air Force Headquarters, Shaw AFB , South Carolina, on July 28, 1955, piloted by Maj. J. H. Murrow and Maj. L. F. Collins. "Pilots of the 17th Bomb Wing will in the near future be flying T-33's [ sic ] for instrument and transitional training to prepare for

4251-693: The 18th Flight Test Squadron (18 FLTS). From early August 1990 to late February 1991, AFSOC participated in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm , the protection of Saudi Arabia and liberation of Kuwait . Special tactics personnel operated throughout the theater on multiple combat control and combat rescue missions. Special operations forces performed direct action missions, combat search and rescue, infiltration, exfiltration, air base ground defense, air interdiction, special reconnaissance, close air support, psychological operations, and helicopter air refuelings. Pave Low crews led

4360-419: The 1st, 39th and 353rd Special Operations Wings as well as the 1720th Special Tactics Group (1720 STG), the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, and the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center. Currently, after major redesignations and reorganizations, AFSOC direct reporting units include the 16th Special Operations Wing, the 352nd Special Operations Group, the 353rd Special Operations Group,

4469-482: The 249th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field on 28 August 2020. The squadron, part of the 125th Fighter Wing , operates the CV-22B Osprey and is assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command . Hurlburt Field has a 9,600 by 150 feet (2,926 m × 46 m) runway designated 18/36 and a 1,608 by 90 feet (490 m × 27 m) helipad , both with concrete surfaces. Base housing

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4578-466: The 4408th CCTS training C-123 crews and the 4409th training A-1E and T-28 pilots, including Vietnamese students. The 4410th CCTS at Holley Field primarily trained O-1 Forward Air Controllers and students flying the U-10 and O-2 . In December the 4407th CCTS would be activated to assume the mission of the 4410th while that unit began training crews in the new OV-10 Bronco FAC aircraft. The fourth squadron,

4687-457: The 4412th CCTS was at England AFB, training C-47D and AC-47D pilots. On 1 April the 4532nd CCTS was activated to fly A-37Bs and assigned to the Wing. Later in the year both the 4412th and 4532nd were reassigned to the 1st ACW at England AFB." The first jet-augmented Fairchild C-123K Provider arrived at Hurlburt Field on January 5, 1968, and the first of 76 of the type to be ferried to Vietnam by

4796-616: The 720th Special Tactics Group (720 STG), the USAF Special Operations School and the 18th Flight Test Squadron (18 FLTS). During the early 1990s a major reorganization occurred within AFSOC. The 1720 STG became the 720 STG in March 1992; the transfer of ownership of Hurlburt Field from Air Mobility Command (AMC, and formerly MAC) to AFSOC in October 1992, followed by the merger of the 834th Air Base Wing (834 ABW) into

4905-652: The AC-130 community also suffered the single greatest combat loss of coalition air forces with the shoot down of an AC-130H, call sign Spirit 03 , by an Iraqi SA-7 Grail surface-to-air missile. All fourteen crew members aboard Spirit 03 were killed. In December 1992, AFSOC special tactics and intelligence personnel supported Operation Restore Hope in Somalia. In late 1994, AFSOC units spearheaded Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and in 1995 Operation Deliberate Force in

5014-850: The AC-130J continues developmental testing in preparation for an Initial Operational Capability (IOC) with AFSOC projected for FY 2017 In December 1982, the Air Force transferred responsibility for Air Force special operations from Tactical Air Command (TAC) to Military Airlift Command (MAC). Consequently, in March 1983, MAC activated Twenty-Third Air Force (23 AF) at Scott Air Force Base , Illinois . This new numbered air force's responsibilities included worldwide missions of special operations , combat rescue , weather reconnaissance and aerial sampling, security support for intercontinental ballistic missile sites, training of USAF helicopter and HC-130 crewmen, pararescue training, and medical evacuation. In October 1983, 23 AF helped rescue Americans from

5123-631: The Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center previously), possess and operates a small number of the following aircraft for its special training mission and Aviation Foreign Internal Defense (FID) missions: New AC-130J and MC-130J aircraft based on the Lockheed Martin KC-130J Super Hercules tanker variant are being acquired and sent to certain AFSOC units. MC-130J aircraft have already entered service while

5232-982: The Air Force Special Operations Command: Additionally, the Air Force Special Operations Command would gain the following units from Air Mobility Command or Air Combat Command aligned Air National Guard wings: The Air Force Reserve Command units of Air Force Special Operations Command are: AFSOC has about 20,800 active-duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard and civilian personnel. The command's SOF units are composed of highly trained, rapidly deployable airmen who are equipped with specialized aircraft. These forces conduct global special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower, to infiltration, aviation foreign internal defense , exfiltration, resupply and aerial refueling of SOF operational elements. In addition to

5341-578: The Air National Guard, HC-130P/N Combat Shadow tankers, MC-130E Combat Talons, and MH-53J Pave Low and MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. Special tactics Combat Controllers and Pararescuemen provided important support to combat units. Spectre gunship crews of the 1 SOW earned the Mackay Trophy and Tunner Award for their efforts, with an Air Force Reserve AC-130A Spectre crew from the 919th Special Operations Group (919 SOG) earning

5450-772: The CBI for use in rescue, marking the start of a long association between rotary-wing aircraft and air rescue. Recognizing the need for a unified organization to perform search and rescue, the Army Air Force formed the Air Rescue Service (ARS). Officially established on 29 May 1946, the ARS was charged with saving the lives of aircrews who were involved in aircraft disasters, accidents, crash landings, ditchings or abandonments occurring away from an air base, and with being world-deployable to support far-flung air operations. In

5559-567: The No 2 Air Observer School in Edmonton, Alberta . Edmonton was one of the common stops for A-20 Boston , B-26 Marauder and especially B-25 Mitchell bombers being flown to the Soviet Union as part of the lend-lease program. When these aircraft went down, likely due to mechanical or navigational problems, the crew often survived only to die attempting to make it out of the bush. May's school

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5668-561: The Pararescue service expanded to include Combat Rescue Officers early in the 21st century. Of the roughly 200 Air Force Cross recipients, 12 are Pararescuemen. As early as 1922, there was a recognized need for trained personnel to go to remote sites to rescue aircrew. In that year, Army Medical Corps doctor Colonel Albert E. Truby predicted that "airplane ambulances" would be used to take medical personnel to crashes and to return victims to medical facilities for treatment. However, it

5777-651: The President's Award. An active duty 1st SOW MC-130 Combat Talon crew ferried the captured Panamanian President, Manuel Noriega , to prison in the United States. Likewise, the efforts of the 1 SOW maintenance people earned them the Daedalian Award. On 22 May 1990, General Larry D. Welch , USAF, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force , redesignated Twenty-Third Air Force as Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). This new major command consisted of three wings:

5886-695: The U.S. military and its allies. Highly trained special operators, PJs are generally assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) and Air Combat Command (ACC). Personnel recovery includes rescuing and providing medical treatment to injured or stranded personnel in hostile or remote environments, such as behind enemy lines or in the wilderness. Combat search and rescue operations recover personnel from enemy-controlled territory. They are attached to other special operations units from all branches to conduct other operations as appropriate. PJs have also supported NASA missions, and have recovered astronauts after water landings. Long an enlisted preserve,

5995-509: The US military in Iraq and Afghanistan during the Global War on Terror and beyond. Deploying with other Special Operations Forces (SOF) teams, Pararescuemen continue to fight and save lives on the battlefield. The process of becoming a "PJ" is known informally as " Superman School". At almost two years long, the training pipeline is among the longest special operations training courses in

6104-561: The area around an air base, the air base commander had search and rescue jurisdiction through the Local Base Rescue (LBR) helicopter units. However, these were limited to a 135-mile (217 km) radius around the base due to the range and payload limitations of the aircraft. In order to reach beyond this limitation, Pararescue teams were authorized on 1 July 1947, with the first teams to be ready for fielding in November. Each team

6213-1020: The basic parachutist rating and are allowed to wear the Parachutist Badge . The course is divided into four blocks of instruction: (1) Diving Theory, (2) Infiltration/Exfiltration Methods, (3) Open Circuit Diving Operations, and (4) Closed Circuit Diving Operations. The primary focus of AFCDC is to develop Pararescuemen/Combat Rescue Officers and Combat Controller/Special Tactics Officers into competent, capable and safe combat divers/swimmers. The course provides commanders with divers/swimmers capable of undertaking personnel recovery and special operations waterborne missions. AFCDC provides diver training through classroom instruction, extensive physical training, surface and sub-surface water confidence pool exercises, pool familiarization dives, day/night tactical open water surface/sub-surface infiltration swims, open/closed circuit diving procedures and underwater search and recovery procedures. The session culminates with

6322-577: The conclusion of the war in Southeast Asia, most reciprocating engine types were retired by the USAF. UH-1s and CH-3s were operated, the latter by the 20th Special Operations Squadron . The 4410th Combat Crew Training Wing was activated at Hurlburt Field on December 1, 1965, later moving to England AFB , Louisiana, in July 1969. "In early 1967 the wing comprised four squadrons; two were at Hurlburt,

6431-641: The construction of 151 buildings of concrete block with brick facing. Residences would be single and duplex quarters with two, three, and four bedrooms. Construction began on the first 48 buildings (72 units) in mid-April, with initial completion expected by February 1957. On April 14, 1961 the Air Force Tactical Air Command (TAC) activated the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron at Hurlburt, to fly operations against guerrillas , either as an overt Air Force operation or in an undefined covert capacity. Known by its nickname "Jungle Jim",

6540-419: The course are awarded National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians - Paramedic (NREMT-P) certification. This is the culmination of approximately two years of pararescue training. This course includes field medical care and tactics, mountaineering , shooting, combat tactics, advanced parachuting, and helicopter insertion/extraction qualifications. Upon successful completion of this course, each graduate

6649-412: The crash site two days later, they found that the remaining six members of the crew—who had stayed with the aircraft—had all survived. Dr. Kinney's body was not located until July of the next year. In 1949, due to a shortage of available doctors, Medical Service Corps officers replaced Para-doctors on the teams, receiving the same training as the enlisted Pararescuemen. One of the first of these officers

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6758-464: The crash site, located 95 miles north of Nome . The team encountered poor visibility, extreme temperatures and high winds on the site and as a result, all three died. Casey's body was found seven miles (11 km) from the crash site, swept there by the surface winds. Two members of the crew of the "Clobbered Turkey" who set out to seek assistance also died a few miles from the site. When civilian bush pilots William Munz and Frank Whaley finally arrived at

6867-534: The date for this accident, and also notes that Capt. Barclay H. Dillon, test pilot of the Fighter Section of the 1st Proving Ground Group, died in another accident the same date. Auxiliary Field No. 10 was later named Eglin Dillon Airdrome, now known primarily as Naval Outlying Landing Field Choctaw , a Navy auxiliary field to Naval Air Station Pensacola and NAS Whiting Field . Hurlburt's nephew

6976-566: The door. Early operations were comical, but in early 1943 May sent two volunteers, Owen Hargreaves and Scotty Thompson to the smoke jumpers school in Missoula, Montana to be trained by the U.S. Forest Service. After six weeks they returned home with borrowed steerable equipment to train two other volunteers, Wilfred Rivet and Laurie Poulsom. Soon the unit was conducting operational jumps, and by 1944 May's persistence had paid off and an official para-rescue training program started. For his work, May

7085-590: The drone, firing two test AAMs with no effect, and damaged it with cannon fire, but the unarmed Mace actually overflew the western tip of Cuba before crashing in open water some 100 miles (160 km) further south. The final Mace launches from Hurlburt Site A-15 took place in June 1974. Other launches in the 1960s included six high-altitude releases of vaporized barium from 2-stage Nike Iroquois sounding rockets in January 1967 to measure wind speeds and directions in

7194-694: The end of the war in 1953, Air Rescue had evacuated over eight thousand critical casualties and rescued nearly a thousand men from behind enemy lines. The Vietnam War was a pivotal conflict for the Pararescue teams. The Air Force's scope of operations became so large that demand for Pararescue teams expanded as well. The use of helicopters caused new tactics utilizing the speed, distance, and support they could provide. Rescue "packages" were created utilizing FACs ( Forward Air Controllers ), rescue escorts (such as AH-1 Cobras or A-1 Sandys ), protective fighter CAP ( Combat Air Patrol ), HC-130 "King" Hercules for Rescue Mission Coordination and helicopter refueling, and

7303-457: The escorts maintained an aggressive patrol to provide instantaneous support. Sometimes they would be inserted to search for personnel who were being forced to escape and evade; in such cases the mission might last for days. The Pararescue teams racked up an impressive record; during the conflict, only 19 aircrew were awarded the Air Force Cross . Ten of those were awarded to Pararescue forces. Pararescuemen have continued to play an integral part in

7412-460: The fall of 1944 in anticipation of Operation Olympic against Japan from captured Pacific island bases. The atomic missions put paid to this operation. This launch site is now on the National Register of Historic Places . The 4751st Air Defense Wing (Missile) was organized at Hurlburt on October 1, 1957. It was redesignated the 4751st Air Defense Missile Wing on January 15, 1958 and discontinued on July 1, 1962 when Tactical Air Command took over

7521-533: The front, were Air Rescue's primary missions. Pararescuemen were a normal part of Air Rescue crews for these missions. Their medical and tactical skills made them invaluable for evacuation and rescue missions of this type. Pararescuemen were often called upon to leave the helicopters that carried them in order to assist the personnel they were sent to rescue. This might call for an extended stay behind enemy lines and overland travel of several miles. The longest of these 'Lone Wolf' missions lasted seventy-two hours. By

7630-456: The general public. Flying and notable non-flying units based at Hurlburt Field. Units marked GSU are Geographically Separate Units, which although based at Hurlburt, are subordinate to a parent unit based at another location. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Air Combat Command (ACC) Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Air National Guard (ANG) Hurlburt Field

7739-459: The helicopter assault on radars to blind Iraq at the onset of hostilities, and they also accomplished the deepest rescue for which they received the Mackay Trophy . MC-130E/H Combat Talons dropped the BLU-82 , the largest conventional bombs of the war and, along with MC-130P Combat Shadows, dropped the most psychological warfare leaflets, while AC-130A and AC-130H Spectre gunships provided valuable fire support and armed reconnaissance. However,

7848-586: The intersection of the main runway and the Doolittle runway. These newer facilities are home to CV-22 Osprey operations of the 413th Flight Test Squadron of the 96th Test Wing, and the recently retired MH-53J Pave Low III and MH-53M Pave Low IV helicopter. The Air Force Special Operations Command continues to fly sensitive operations missions from Hurlburt Field worldwide. The USAF Special Operations School (USAFSOS) trains US Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and US government civilian personnel in

7957-502: The island nation of Grenada . During the seven-day operation, centered at Point Salines Airport , 23 AF furnished MC-130s , AC-130s , aircrews, maintenance, and support personnel. An EC-130 from the 193rd Special Operations Wing of the Air National Guard (ANG) also played a psy-war role . Lieutenant Colonel (later Major General) James L. Hobson Jr., an MC-130 pilot and commander of the 8th Special Operations Squadron ,

8066-525: The most promising and capable leaders are selected. STO leadership and role modeling during the difficult training reduces the attrition rate for enlisted trainees. STO selection is a two-phase process. Beginning with Phase One, a board of veteran STOs reviews application packages consisting of letters of recommendation, fitness test scores, and narratives written by the applicants describing their career aspirations and reasons for applying. Based on Phase One performance, about eight to 10 applicants are invited to

8175-649: The never executed Operation Northwoods called for decoy aircraft to land at this base. From the 1960s into the early 1970s, the base hosted a wide variety of aircraft types, including A-1E Skyraiders , AC-119G Shadow and AC-119K Stinger gunships, AC-47 Spooky gunships, AC-130 A Spectre gunships, B-26K Counter-Invaders (including those deployed to the Congo), U C-123Ks with underwing jet pods, OV-10A Forward Air Control Broncos, Cessna O-2A Skymaster FAC and O-2B PSYOPS aircraft, QU-22B recon drones, and other long-serving C-47s in various support roles. Following

8284-528: The new B-66 bomber which is slated for delivery to the wing..." The first B-66 arrived at Hurlburt on March 16, 1956, after a flight from Norton AFB , California, piloted by 17th Bomb Wing commander Col. Howard F. Bronson, with Col. Norton W. Sanders, commanding officer of the 17th Bomb Group, as observer. The 17th Bomb Wing was equipped with the Douglas B-66B Destroyer and operated the jet light bomber at Hurlburt from 1956 until 1958, then

8393-516: The new Iraqi government against insurgents and terrorists. The USAFSOC takes part in the multinational trainings at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Centre in which it trains in multiple scenarios with partner nations in order to increase interoperability between partner forces. AFSOC has had eleven commanders since its inception in 1990. Hurlburt Field This facility

8502-426: The next phase. Phase Two is a weeklong battery of evaluations, ranging from physical fitness and leadership to emotional intelligence and personality indicators. At the end of Phase Two, typically two to four applicants are selected to begin the year-plus Special Tactics training pipeline. AFSOC regularly operates the following aircraft: Additionally, AFSOC, through the 492nd Special Operations Wing (as of 2017, and

8611-490: The pilots, combat systems officers, and enlisted aircrew who fly AFSOC's aircraft, there is a highly experienced support force of maintenance officers and enlisted aircraft maintenance personnel who maintain these complex aircraft and their support systems, a cadre of premier intelligence officers and enlisted intelligence specialists well versed in special operations, as well as logisticians, security forces and numerous other support officers and personnel. Another aspect of AFSOC

8720-650: The pocket aircraft carrier, the Cape Esperance ." The 17th Bomb Wing was stationed at Eglin AFB, Florida, operating from Hurlburt Field, where it was programmed to receive the Martin B-57 Canberra , the replacement for the B-26 Invader . However, the B-57 proved to be troublesome and unreliable and only three or four were ever delivered to Hurlburt. On October 1, 1955, Hurlburt was redesignated

8829-446: The required standards. The course is extremely demanding, candidates are pushed to their physical and mental limits, with an attrition rate of about 75 percent. Students learn the basic parachuting skills required to infiltrate an objective area by static line airdrop. This course includes ground operations week, tower week, and "jump week" when participants make five parachute jumps. Personnel who complete this training are awarded

8938-471: The rigors of the career field, Special Tactics' year-long training is one of the most demanding in the military, with attrition rates between 80 and 90 percent. In an attempt to reduce the high attrition, Special Tactics is very selective when choosing their officers. Special Tactics Officers (STO) undergo a highly competitive process to gain entry into the Special Tactics career field, ensuring only

9047-408: The search planes to assist and care for the injured. At the same time, a ground team was sent to their location and all twenty walked to safety. Although parachute rescues were not officially authorized at the time, this is considered by PJs to be the birth of Air Force pararescue. Eric Sevareid said of his rescuers: "Gallant is a precious word: they deserve it". A few short months later, Capt. Porter

9156-579: The second jump-qualified Air Force pilot. In late 1947, the crash of the B-29 "Clobbered Turkey" in Alaska brought home the need for specialized, well-trained Pararescuemen. On 21 December, the "Clobbered Turkey" hit a mountain and when the wreck was spotted on the 27th, Medical Corps 1st Lieutenant Albert C. Kinney, First Sergeant Santhell A. London, Air Force cold weather expert and T-5 Leon J. Casey—none of whom were trained Pararescuemen—volunteered to jump onto

9265-558: The short cross-field former runway, near the southern end of Hurlburt Field's main runway, is now named the Doolittle Taxiway. Other Eglin fields, including Wagner Field /Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 1, and Duke Field /Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 3, were used during this training. For the 2008 gathering of Doolittle mission survivors, six crew were present for recognition in Fort Walton Beach, Florida , culminating in

9374-464: The techniques smokejumpers used with them, were completely different from those used by Army airborne units. It was in that year that Dr. (Captain) Leo P. Martin was trained by the U.S. Forest Service Smokejumper Parachute Training Center in Seeley Lake , Montana as the first 'para-doctor'. During the first months after America's entry into the war, there was very little need for air rescue. As

9483-529: The trainee has to recover the mask and snorkel from the deep end of the pool, "clearing" the mask of water while still submerged and "clearing" the snorkel of water as well. These two can be referred to as key training tools. Items such as rope and booties can be used to further increase the intensity of water confidence training. This is the actual selection course, where aspiring PJs will learn water confidence techniques, rehabilitation, physical conditioning, running, and nutrition, among other vital skills. A&S

9592-616: The unification of all the formerly independent Air Rescue Squadrons under the umbrella of the Air Rescue Service was complete. In 1950, North Korea attacked across the 38th parallel and began the Korean War . This was an opportunity for Air Rescue to put training into practice and to develop theories into policies. One of the key new concepts was rescue of stranded personnel from behind enemy lines. This, along with evacuating critically wounded men from aid stations close to

9701-478: The unit was commanded by Colonel Benjamin H. King. The squadron was authorized 16 C-47s , eight B-26s and eight T-28 Trojans , plus the same number of aircraft in temporary storage. The T-28s were armed with caliber .50 machine guns, 2.75-in. rockets and a small quantity of bombs. These specialists flew missions in Africa, Southeast Asia, Central America and other places throughout the world. In early 1962, plans for

9810-714: The upper atmosphere, conducted under the auspices of the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories in conjunction with the Space Systems Branch of the Aircraft and Missile Test Division, Air Proving Ground Center, Eglin AFB. Hurlburt Field fell into disrepair following World War II but was reactivated in 1955. The 17th Bombardment Wing was reactivated on April 1, 1955 and assigned to the Ninth Air Force, with

9919-444: The war progressed, a U.S. strategic bombing campaign was launched, and air rescue began to play a key role. Rescue units were formed around the globe under the operational control of local commanders. While training, techniques and equipment varied, one rule was constant: "Rescue forces must presume survivors in each crash until proved otherwise." Search and rescue of downed aviators in the continental United States fell primarily to

10028-537: The water. Instruction includes principles, procedures, and techniques necessary to escape a sinking aircraft. This course teaches how to manage trauma patients prior to evacuation and provide emergency medical treatment. Phase I is seven weeks of emergency medical technician basic (EMT-B) training. Phase II (EMT-P) lasts 30 weeks and provides advanced medical training and instruction in minor field surgery, pharmacology , combat trauma management, advanced airway management, and military evacuation procedures. Graduates of

10137-574: The wing was moved to a base in England. The 17th was inactivated on June 25, 1958 due to budgetary cutbacks. With the reactivation of Hurlburt, housing was at a premium, and Lieutenant Colonel Robert S. Kramer, Assistant Army District Engineer at Mobile, Alabama , announced on April 5, 1956, that a contract had been awarded in the amount of $ 3,315,143.34 to the McDonough Construction Company of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia , for

10246-550: The world. It also has one of the highest training attrition rates in the entire U.S. special operations community, at around 80%. Pararescue trainees are first required to complete United States Air Force Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, then they are required to pass the Special Warfare Preparatory Course and Special Warfare Assessment and Selection at Lackland AFB (replacing the previous Pararescue Indoctrination Course ). Following that

10355-581: Was Captain Craig D. Button , USAF, noted for his mysterious flight and crash of an A-10 Thunderbolt on April 2, 1997. Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle and his Raiders could not have practiced take offs with their B-25 Mitchell bombers at Auxiliary Field No. 9, as it, and the requisite hard-surfaced runway, did not exist in March 1942. "A former Hurlburt Field base commander in the 1950s may have started this story, and several official histories and raider interviews have perpetuated this belief." Nonetheless,

10464-826: Was John C. Shumate, a pharmacist, who was appointed commandant of the Pararescue and Survival School. At this time the Air Rescue Specialist Course was created at the School of Aviation Medicine , Gunter Air Force Base , Alabama . Designed to teach Pararescuemen the skills needed to determine the nature and extent of injuries and to administer treatment, the course was taught by Medical Corps officers with previous Pararescue experience, including Dr. Pope B.'Doc' Holliday, Dr. Rufus Hessberg , Dr. Hamilton Blackshear, Dr. Randal W. Briggs and Dr. Burt Rowan. As Pararescue grew, PJ teams were assigned to every Air Rescue Service squadron to provide global coverage. By 1950,

10573-407: Was abruptly transferred to the special operations forces in response to the failed Iranian hostage rescue attempt and the lack of dedicated long-range vertical lift platforms." "The helicopters brought 200 new military jobs to Hurlburt, bringing the number of military positions at the base to 3,200." In the early 1960s, Hurlburt was utilized as a Strategic Air Command dispersal base for B-47s of

10682-474: Was an effort to preserve the history of Air Commando operations and the Airmen involved. As part of this effort aircraft of significance were collected and memorials erected to significant operations and individuals dating back to World War II. The air park was open to the general public via special pass until the enhanced security of the post 9/11 era was enacted resulting in the park currently being inaccessible to

10791-423: Was another two decades before technology and necessity helped to create what would eventually become Air Force Pararescue. Even so, there were developments in critical technologies. In 1940, two United States Forest Service Smokejumpers , Earl Cooley and Rufus Robinson, showed that parachutists could be placed very accurately onto the ground using the newly invented ' steerable parachute '. These parachutes, and

10900-954: Was awarded a Medal of Freedom with Bronze Palm in 1947 by the USAAF . In the European Theater , there was very little opportunity for ground rescue. Most flights were over enemy-occupied territory, where a landing meant immediate capture. In the UK area of the European Theatre, the British military was at the time creating its own Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Service which would be based largely on civilian mountain rescue doctrine. The RAFMRS rescued many American aircrew, or recovered remains, from USAAF crashes over its UK territory. As crashes during over-water flights created

11009-606: Was defined as the Hurlburt Field CDP as of the 2020 United States Census , with a recorded population of 2,176. It is part of the Crestview — Fort Walton Beach – Destin, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . United States Air Force Pararescue Pararescuemen (also known as Pararescue Jumpers or PJs ) are United States Air Force special operators who conduct personnel recovery and combat search and rescue operations as well as other missions for

11118-556: Was killed in an aircraft crash at the main base, then known as Eglin Field, in 1943. The facility had previously been named the Eglin-Hurlburt Airdrome until 1943; Hurlburt Field, March 1944; Eglin Auxiliary Field No. 9, October 1944; with the current name official on January 13, 1948. The base commander of Eglin Main was also responsible for Hurlburt, 1942–1946, but when the base reactivated on February 1, 1955, it gained

11227-429: Was killed on a rescue mission when his B-25 was shot down. In 1944, General William H. Tunner took command of Air Transport Command operations in CBI. Declaring the rescue organization to be a 'cowboy operation', he appointed Maj. Donald C. Pricer commander of the 1352nd Army Air Force Base Unit and assigned him several aircraft for the mission. In addition to fixed-wing aircraft, early helicopters were deployed to

11336-713: Was later awarded the Mackay Trophy for his actions in leading the air drop on the Point Salines Airport. In May 1986, the Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act led to the formation of the United States Special Operations Command . Senators William Cohen and Sam Nunn introduced the Senate bill, and the following month Congressman Dan Daniel introduced a like measure in

11445-431: Was moved to Davis-Monthan AFB , Arizona. APJOC builds upon the skills learned at PJOC and exposes cadets to life in an operational Pararescue or Special Tactics Squadron. The course culminates with a Combat Rescue Training Exercise. During APJOC, both PJOC and APJOC are Civil Air Patrol National Cadet Special Activities provided by United States Air Force Pararescue. It is my duty as a Pararescueman to save life and to aid

11554-425: Was often asked to supply aircraft to search for downed planes, but even when one was spotted there was often little they could do to help. May decided to address this problem. In early 1942 May asked for volunteers from his civilian servicing crew, and about a dozen agreed to join. With basically no equipment, the instruction consisted of "jump and pull" and windage was calculated by throwing an Eaton's catalogue out

11663-537: Was pilot 1st Lieutenant Perry C. Emmons, who had been assigned to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II. At the close of the war, Emmons and six sergeants flew prisoners of war out of Thailand , earning his group the nickname "Perry and the Pirates", after the popular comic strip Terry and the Pirates . After the war, Emmons completed Airborne School at Fort Benning , Georgia , becoming only

11772-870: Was the birthplace of what would eventually become pararescue. Here was a unique combination of long overland flights through territory that was loosely held by the enemy and survivable. Dominating the flying in the CBI was ' The Hump ' route: cargo flights that left India carrying thousands of tons of vital war supplies had to cross the spine of the Himalayas to reach their destinations in China . Every day thousands of flight crews and their passengers risked their lives making this passage in C-46 and C-47 aircraft. Many of these flights never arrived at their destinations due to mechanical problems, weather and mistakes. Crews forced to bail out or crash land faced weeks of hardship in tracing

11881-466: Was to be composed of a Para-doctor and four Pararescue technicians trained in medicine, survival, rescue and tactics. Pararescue was given the mission of rescuing crews lost on long-range bomber and transport missions and to support other agencies when aerial rescue was requested. A mission earlier in 1947 was the final impetus for the formal creation of Air Force Pararescue. In May, Dr. (Capt) Pope B. 'Doc' Holliday parachuted out of an OA-10 Catalina into

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