NOVEMBER 30, 2017, Afghanistan – Special Tactics airmen from U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command conducted multiple airfield surveys with their Afghan Air Force counterparts in Faryab province this week. Airfield surveys are executed prior to the arrival of special operations and conventional aircraft to traditional airfields and field landing strips.
“Our work is critical to extending the access and reach to fight our adversaries in their safe havens,” said a Special Tactics airman. “Planning, leading, and executing global access missions is a core task that we provide to the joint SOF effort.”
During the operations, Afghan Army and Air Force representatives meet with the Special Tactics airmen to discuss how to increase airpower at Faryab province airfields. Based on the team’s findings, multiple airfields in Faryab province meet the specified needs of the NATO Resolute Support mission. The locations have the potential to support Afghan and coalition reconnaissance, troop delivery, and strategic air support operations.
“This is my fifth deployment as a Special Tactics airman conducting precision strike, global access, and personnel recovery missions,” another Special Tactics airman said. “You can feel the difference this year, a new commitment to extending the fight to the heart of the enemy.”
AFSOC Special Tactics force is the Air Force’s tactical air and ground integration element that enables global access, precision strike, and personnel recovery operations. The Special Tactics airmen are experts in the conduct of airfield reconnaissance, assessment and control, personnel recovery, joint terminal attack control and environmental reconnaissance.
Story by Maj. Tony Mayne
NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan