KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- While Kirtland Air Force Base is recognized for its extensive research, development and testing missions, it also hosts units that train, develop and educate Air Force special operators.
Although not inherently part of Air Force Special Operations Command, Kirtland’s 58th Special Operations Wing and the 351st Special Warfare Training Squadron support AFSOC’s mission of providing specialized airpower and combat-ready forces to operate anytime, anywhere.
“Paired with advanced training methodologies, we are rapidly tailoring our assets and personnel to meet America’s needs with unparalleled precision and speed,” said Lt. Gen. Mike Conely, AFSOC commander. “Implementing lessons learned from our partners and allies, we are upgrading our electromagnetic spectrum operations capabilities.”
Aircrews operating AFSOC’s specialized aircraft receive both initial and advanced training through the 58th Special Operations Wing, which falls under Air Education and Training Command. This training spans multiple aircraft platforms and focuses on special operations and combat search and rescue. Through this instruction, aircrews are prepared for high-threat environments, ensuring AFSOC remains equipped with skilled personnel capable of delivering rapid and reliable airpower whenever it’s needed.
“We embrace the changing strategic landscape and leverage every tool in our arsenal to operate across multiple domains in ways only special operations forces can,” Conley said. “Lethality is ingrained in our warrior ethos and engineered into every platform.”
Complementing this aviation training mission, the 351st Special Warfare Training Squadron focuses on developing and producing personnel capable of worldwide rescue and recovery operations.
Pararescuemen and combat rescue officers are trained by the 351st in special warfare operations to integrate seamlessly with these air assets. Enlisted and officer candidates undergo physically and mentally demanding preparation, including paramedic certification, pararescue indoctrination and recovery operations, to ensure they are fully capable of saving lives and operating effectively in extreme environments.
“The Airmen in our pipeline are pushed to their physical and psychological limits to reflect the complexity and intensity of real-world missions,” said Lt. Col. Levi Cass, 351st commander. “We’re building the human weapon system to eventually enhance not only Air Force Special Operations Command’s ability to execute across the spectrum of competition, crisis and conflict but also in Air Combat Command, United States Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces and the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command.”
Together, these units form a powerful training pipeline that directly supports AFSOC’s mission and ensures that AFSOC’s operators are fully prepared to execute global crisis response and counterterrorism missions with speed, precision and adaptability.
Their work spanning force protection, aircraft readiness and cyber-linked distributed mission operations underpins what Conley calls AFSOC’s hallmark of being “lethal, agile, ready.”