• 1st SOS, 353rd SOMXS work together to execute formation flight

    A U.S. Air Force MC-130H Combat Talon II from the 1st Special Operations Squadron flies over Kadena Air Base, Japan, shortly after takeoff May 14, 2015. The 1st Special Operations Squadron operates the MC-130H providing infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces and

  • Batcats selected for promotion to technical sergeant

    The Air Force selected 8,446 staff sergeants for promotion to technical sergeant, officials announced June 9. Selectees represent 23.55 percent of the 35,863 eligible.The technical sergeant selects from the 353rd Special Operations Group are:1st Special Operations SquadronDaniel StearnsJoshua

  • 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron welcomes new leadership

    Lt. Col. Brent Nestor, 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron incoming commander, accepts the guidon from Lt. Col. John Trube, 353rd Special Operation Group deputy commander, during a Change of Command ceremony held May 21, 2015 on Kadena Air Base, Japan. The 353rd SOSS executes operations,

  • 320th STS Combat Controller named 2014 AFSOC Outstanding Airman of the Year

    Staff Sgt. Travis Jordan, 320th Special Tactics Squadron, was named as one of Air Force Special Operations Command Outstanding Airmen of the Year during an annual banquet held May 14 at Hurlburt Field, Fla.“I had the honor of getting to know Sergeant Jordan and his wife Christina the past couple of

  • 353rd SOG welcomes new commander

    Col. William C. Freeman assumed command of the 353rd Special Operations Group during a ceremony held May 8, 2015 at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Maj. Gen. Morris E. Haase, Air Force Special Operations Command vice commander and presiding officer, presented the guidon to Freeman during the ceremony. The

  • Last Pacific MC-130P Combat Shadows retire

    The 17th Special Operations Squadron retired the final two MC-130P Combat Shadows in the Pacific Air Forces here, April 15.Although the final MC-130P formation flight was in October, these are the final two to fly to the boneyard at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz."Today is bittersweet as we say

  • MC-130Js visit Kunsan

    Members of the 353rd Special Operations Group visited Kunsan Air Base in support of Exercise Gryphon Knife March 3, 2015. During Gryphon Knife, Airmen stationed out of Kadena Air Base, Japan, came to the Republic of Korea to support the objectives and learn the mission of Special Operations Command

  • LEAP participant helps SOG overcome language, culture barrier in Thailand

    The 353rd Special Operations Group has participated in more than 60 training exercises for over 20 years in Thailand. Although the strong friendships formed over the years have enhanced interoperability between the two countries, a language barrier still remains. This year, one Airman helped the

  • 1st SOS perform Stray 59 memorial flight

    A 1st Special Operations Squadron crew conducted their 34th annual memorial flight Feb. 26 off the coast of the Philippines to pay tribute to the crew of Stray 59. Stray 59 was the call sign of an MC-130E from the 1st SOS that crashed Feb. 26, 1981 during an exercise killing eight of the nine

  • Air Commandos visit local schools in Thailand

    Second Lt. Melissa March, 17th Special Operations Squadron, provides ice cream toppings to a student from Baan Nong Pahi School in Udon Thani, Thailand during a visit to the school Feb. 18, 2015. Members from the 353rd Special Operations Group raised more than $1,000 and donated sports equipment,