Not only has the 14th Weapons Squadron graduated Weapons Officers for AFSOC in 2014, the squadron has also been at the forefront of tactics development and training for the command. SOFEX and Advanced Integration at Nellis has produced valuable lessons learned and after-action reports that will shape tactics and training development in AFSOC in the short term and long term. The unique training opportunities provided by the 14th at Nellis during these large force exercises have created discussion about how to better integrate AFSOC aircraft with the CAF and MAF in order to be successful during future military operations. Furthermore, these exercises have laid the groundwork for upgrades to legacy weapons systems as well as changes in tactics and training in order to better integrate in future conflicts.

Overall, 2014 was a banner year in the history of the 14th Weapons Squadron and AFSOC as a whole. The groundwork laid by the cadre and support staff at the 14th have shaped AFSOC priorities, tactics development, and training and will continue to do so in the future. More importantly, the 14th will continue to transform and inspire students, ultimately developing leaders for AFSOC who are tactical and integration experts, adhering to the SOF truth that “Humans are more important than hardware.”

Armed with the right authorities, CAAs accompanied and integrated their Afghan counterparts on more than 80 combat operations totaling in excess of 2,000 flight hours.

Consider also a mission that is becoming the focus and main effort in many parts of the world, that of Building Partner Capacity and Aviation Foreign Internal Defense (AvFID) performed by Combat Aviation Advisors (CAAs). This mission is one of providing training and advice to partner air forces, enabling them to take over the Direct-Action missions needed to fight the worldwide spread of violent extremist networks using terrorist tactics to achieve political results. Col. Dave Tabor, commander of the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center, provided the following summary of the missions of the CAAs:

Calendar year 2014 panned out to be an active and transformative year for AFSOC’s CAA community. Active-duty and Reserve CAAs from the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center (AFSOAWC) were engaged in partnered SOF operations in the CENTCOM, AFRICOM, PACOM, and SOUTHCOM areas of responsibility.

In Afghanistan, CAAs alongside joint and combined SOF counterparts introduced and integrated fixed-wing capabilities that continue to revolutionize how Afghan special operations forces fight. Armed with the right authorities, CAAs accompanied and integrated their Afghan counterparts on more than 80 combat operations totaling in excess of 2,000 flight hours. Due to the benefits of a persistent presence, CAAs saw Afghan skill and buy-in grow to the eventual ends of legitimate integrated SOF capabilities for Afghanistan. As a result of their combat effectiveness, partnered U.S./Afghan crews have been decorated on numerous occasions by the U.S. and Afghan governments. AFSOAWC experiences in Afghanistan point to the critical role that persistence, authorities, and joint/interagency approaches play in determining the success of Aviation Foreign Internal Defense efforts.

Overall, AFSOC in 2014 received new leadership and direction as well as a new war against a new and developing enemy, and worked to provide itself with extremely capable aircraft with new capabilities. It’s engaged around the world with people who are able to place the most advanced air power in the service of missions at the highest level of the combat spectrum, while also helping to grow the air power capabilities of our allies. Truly, the air component of U.S. Special Operations Command is ready now, fighting the nation’s wars, building its future in equipment and people, and continually improving itself all along the way.

This article first appeared in The Year in Special Operations, 2015-2016 Edition.