To enhance the lethality and readiness of our elite joint force, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has signed a memo directing the establishment of a new Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron in Florida.
The directive strategically positions a premier Special Tactics capability at the center of the nation's special operations command hub, deepening the integration between the National Guard and active-duty elite units to defend the United States and defeat global adversaries.
"Under the leadership of Secretary Hegseth, we are growing our elite Special Tactics community. The memo directs the establishment of a new Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron, placing our most lethal warfighters at the heart of the USSOCOM and AFSOC community at Hurlburt Field & MacDill AFB," said Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell.
The creation of the Florida-based Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron marks a critical step forward in the Secretary's broader initiative to rapidly modernize our special operations architecture. By utilizing the highly experienced and deeply integrated personnel of the Air National Guard, the Department is bolstering its high-end combat controller, pararescue, and special reconnaissance capabilities.
Placing this new squadron in close proximity to both U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) at Hurlburt Field creates an unparalleled ecosystem of combat-ready training and mission execution. This move maximizes joint-force synergy, ensures seamless operational readiness, and provides the President with highly responsive, lethal options to counter pacing threats.
Click here to see the memo.
