Eglin AFB/Hurlburt Field, Day 2: AFSOC, AC-130 Gunships, & Sudden Violence

Our second day in Florida took us from Eglin AFB to nearby Hurlburt Field, home of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC, "Aff-sock"). While I wish I had some cool pictures the AFSOC Headquarters is a secure facility and we were not permitted to bring cameras.

AFSOC is the air component of United States Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Each service has their own highly specialized Special Operations Forces (SOF), such as the Navy SEALs and Special Boat Units, the Army Rangers and Special Forces (Green Berets), and Marine Force Reconnaissance units.

AFSOC is composed of several different types of special operators that combine to form Special Tactics teams. Most famous are the Combat Controllers, pathfinder type units with a heavy emphasis on simultaneous air traffic control, fire support, and Command/Control/Communications in covert and hostile environments. The premier combat search and rescue (CSAR) Pararescue Jumpers (PJs) also fall into AFSOC.

After some incredible briefings at AFSOC HQ, we were able to visit Hulburt's static museum of Special Operations aircraft.

The MH-53 Pave Low Helicopter. Recently retired, but one of the most advanced non-attack rotary wing aircraft in the world. The Pave Low's mission is low-level, long-range, undetected penetration into denied areas, day or night, in adverse weather, for infiltration/exfiltration/supply of Special Operations Forces, as well as Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR).

The A-1 Skyraider, father to the modern A-10 Warthog. Despite being a propeller driven anachronism in the jet age, this attack-bomber had a long and legendary career as a CSAR and Ground Attack plane. The A-1 has been a staple of many Vietnam-era films such as the Green Berets, Flight of the Intruder, We Were Soldiers Once, and Rescue Dawn.

In my book, the AC-130 Gunship ties with the A-10 as the coolest plane in the USAF arsenal. You may recall that an "A" designation refers to Ground Attack aircraft and "C" refers to Cargo aircraft. The AC-130 is a C-130 (cargo plane) completely gutted and filled with a variety of massive guns to serve in a Close Air Support (CAS) role. This is a big, slow, plane that loiters above a battlefield raining down death and destruction.

A pair of Bofors 40mm autocannons. The Bofors Gun was originally a ground based anti-aircraft weapon in World War II. It still serves in AC-130s, often as the middle option between the lighter 20mm Vulcan cannons and the simply massive 105mm howitzer. Call of Duty 4 fans will recall this as one of the weapon choices available on the AC-130 level.


On the upper right, one of the two GAU-2/A miniguns. These fire 7.62mm rounds at the impossible rate of 3,000+ rounds per minute. Also pictured are the two 20mm Vulcan autocannons, the same cannon featured on the F-15 Eagle. All together, these six guns can fire an unholy amount of ordinance down on a target.

The AC-130H Specter Gunship at Work

We finished out day two with AFSOC's elite SERE training cadre. SERE stands for Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape. When I think of Rambo (despite him actually being Army Special Forces), I think of SERE. SERE instructors teach aircrews, special operators, and other "high risk" occupations, wilderness survival, emergency first aid, land navigation, camouflage, and methods of evasion, among many other things.

Our JAG class was given instruction in parachuting, wilderness survival, and hand-to-hand combat.

Learning basic parachuting technique. It's not the fall that kills you. It's the landing.

Dear Bear Grylls: I'm no longer impressed.

Instruction in the fighting style the SERE trainers dubbed "Sudden Violence," based off the Israeli style of Krav Maga.

In all, our trip to Florida was simply outstanding. Between our lives at Maxwell AFB's Air University and piloting desks at the Wing Headquarters buildings of our respective bases, it is sometimes easy to forget the depth and breadth of operational Air Force units. The trip was invaluable in exposing us to the operational trigger-pullers that we will be interacting with as we advise commanders on a variety of situations. Truly a valuable learning experience with a lot of great "gee-whiz" moments along the way.