Special ops unit to undergo major changes

Published Nov. 13, 2007

DUKE FIELD, Fla. -- Air Force Reserve Command's 919th Special Operations Wing will reorganize, change missions and move in the next few years.

Wing reservists currently fly MC-130 special operations aircraft. In the future, they will form reserve associate units in which they will fly and maintain new aircraft with Airmen in Air Force Special Operations Command.

"The 919th SOW will become a fully integrated partner in more special operations missions as a result of planned total force integration initiatives," said Col. George Williams. The colonel is the senior individual mobilization augmentee to the AFSOC director of plans, programs, requirements and assessments.

Over the next five years, the 919th SOW at Duke Field will integrate with AFSOC's 1st SOW at Hurlburt Field in several phases, said Col. Steven Chapman, 919th SOW commander.

"The result is realizing the efficiency of standing up a true associate special operations unit using the highly dedicated and experienced citizen commandos of the 919th SOW," said Colonel Chapman. "In this day and age of decreased assets, it's truly a force multiplier."

The wing's 5th Special Operations Squadron flies the MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft. The Combat Shadow supports special ops helicopters on low-visibility, low-level air refueling missions. It can also air-drop small special operation teams and their equipment.

The wing's 711th SOW flies the MC-130E Combat Talon I. This aircraft deliveries people and equipment, day or night, in all kinds of weather in support of U.S. and allied special operations forces globally.

The wing will begin getting out of the Combat Shadow mission in the next year or two and will retire the Combat Talon I in 2011 or 2012.

One immediate change for Duke Field's reservists is the sharing of flight training duties. AFSOC is developing an Air Force Special Operations Training Center at Hurlburt Field, where reservists from the 919th SOW would augment training units in a variety of missions. Those missions include the single-engine U-28 Pilatus light transport aircraft, the AC-130U gunship, and aviation foreign internal defense. AFID involves advising, training and assisting foreign aviation forces in the application of airpower in internal defense and development.

Another possible emerging mission for the 919th SOW is an associate unit to augment the 3rd SOS at Nellis AFB, Nev. The squadron flies and maintains the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicle.

"We can look forward to positions opening up to help support and maintain MQ-1 Predator, PC-12/U-28A Pilatus and AC-130U gunship aircraft," said Colonel Chapman. "Everyone here has the opportunity to bring a wealth of knowledge to the wing's future mission."

According to Col. Max Maxwell, Reserve advisor to the AFSOC commander, the proposed associate concept will help relieve stress on AFSOC-gained reservists in a variety of ways.

"AFSOC relies on 919th aircraft and personnel to fill deployment rotations," said Colonel Maxwell. "The 919th has always stepped up to the plate and performed magnificently. However, numerous deployments take their toll on reservists as well as their employers.

"The proposed way ahead for the 919th should be much more Reserve friendly, while at the same time adding great value to AFSOC," he said. (Air Force Reserve Command News Service from an AFSOC news release)