HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- Recently the 5th and 19th Special Operations Squadrons were notified of another repeat performance as the Air Force Special Operations Command’s Outstanding Aviation Resource Management team.
The 2016 small-office award marks the third year in a row the squadrons have won the command-level small office award.
“This honor shows the continued caliber of work we accomplish here year round,” said Lt. Col. Roland Armour, 5th SOS commander.
The 19th (active duty) and 5th SOS (reserve) provide aircraft mission training to special operations pilots and aircrew on most AFSOC aircraft. The squadrons work together through total force integration to provide specific instructors for the SO students.
Some of the fiscal-year 2016 accomplishments include:
The squadrons led AFSOC’s largest formal training unit with nine aircraft and 19 specialties. More than 4,800 military members graduated from their training courses.
The units stood up a new AC-130J, MC-130H, and C146 formal training unit.
They managed and completed almost 9,000 hours of gunship simulator training and 3652.5 SU028A simulator training.
They also directed the mission qualification program for the AC-130U, PC-12 and U-28A and C145. Squadron instructors accomplished 1,238 flights and 4,567 flight hours.
The squadrons sustained C-145A operations during $19.5 million C-146A transition. This enabled 852 hours and 369 flights with no negative impact to the mission zero impact to mission.
The squadrons report to the Air Force Special Operations Air Warfare Center located at Duke Field. The instructors lead Airmen through 131 flight training courses yearly.
“Our goal is to ensure these new special operators have the knowledge and skills they need to make an impact in the operational environment,” said Armour.