Unconventional Airmen: Present and Future Roles and Missions for 6th SOS Combat Aviation Advisors
Abstract
Following the Viet Nam conflict, the USAF almost completely dismantled its once potent special operations capability, particularly the ability to conduct advisory operations with foreign air forces, resulting in an aviation void' across the special operations spectrum. Watershed legislation (Goldwaters-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 and the Cohen-Nunn Act) resulted in the rebuilding of all U.S. and specifically Air Force SOF (AFSOF). Since the earliest days of the resurrection of AFSOF, reconstruction architects directed rebuilding efforts almost exclusively to direct action, or the support of direct action missions (the insertion, resupply, and extraction of Army and Navy direct action forces (Special Forces, Rangers, SEALs)). Other missions previously in the USAF repertoire, such as aviation foreign internal defense (FID), were neglected. Early in the shakeout of service responsibility, the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) designated Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) the proponent for the aviation-FID mission. Aviation-FID received mostly academic attention until the mid-1990s, culminating in 1994 when AFSOC reflagged the 6th Special Operations Squadron with a primary mission of aviation-FID. The inherent capability in 6th SOS aviation advisory teams enables them to execute various other missions across the spectrum of military operations. The 6th SOS more resembles Army Special Forces units in function and organization than traditional USAF line squadrons. Like other SOF, the 6th SOS combat aviation advisory teams may operate on high-risk, high gain missions at the strategic, operational, and tactical level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA377995
Entities
People
- Marvin S. Pugmire
Organizations
- United States Army War College