U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. William Holt, special assistant to the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, taxis a U-28A Draco down the Hurlburt Field flightline during his “Fini” flight at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 19, 2019. Holt has flown the U-28A for 12 years and has accrued approximately 700 flight hours in his 28 years of service in Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Dennis Spain)

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Around the Air Force: Funding the Force, Optimizing Capabilities, Defending the Homeland

In this week’s look Around the Air Force, Department of the Air Force leaders testify before a Senate defense subcommittee on the 2026 fiscal year budget, prioritizing defending the homeland and bolstering defenses in the Indo-Pacific region.

Related Imagery
Members of the 711th Special Operations Squadron render a salute to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Fox, incoming 711th Special Operations Squadron commander, at a change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 11, 2025. A longstanding military tradition, the ceremony marked the official transfer of command of the 711th SOS. (U.S. Air Force photo by Liz Easterling)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Fox, incoming 711th Special Operations Squadron commander, delivers his first remarks during a change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, June 27, 2025. In addition to the change of command, the event marked the squadron’s transition to an operational AC-130J Ghostrider gunship mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Liz Easterling)
U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Matthew Barry, 919th Special Operations Group commander, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Jason Fox, incoming 711th Special Operations Squadron commander, during a change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 11, 2025. In addition to the change of command, the event marked the squadron’s transition to an operational AC-130J Ghostrider gunship mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Liz Easterling)
U.S. Air Force Reserve Lt. Col. John Duke, outgoing 711th Special Operations Squadron commander, delivers a speech during a change of command ceremony at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 11, 2025. In addition to the change of command, the event marked the squadron’s transition to an operational AC-130J Ghostrider gunship mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Liz Easterling)
Aircrew from the 919th Special Operations Wing conduct pre-flight checks of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship before takeoff at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 9, 2025. The wing’s mission is evolving and now includes an operational AC-130J squadron based at Hurlburt Field, marked by a ceremony held July 11, 2025. The Reserve flew the AC-130 gunship for two decades and nearly 30 years later, it resumes its role as mission partners with active duty aircrew and maintainers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. James Wilson.)
Aircraft maintainers assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing conclude a pre-flight inspection of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 9, 2025. The wing’s mission is evolving and now includes an operational AC-130J squadron based at Hurlburt Field, marked by a ceremony here July 11, 2025. Over the past four decades, AC-130s have deployed constantly to hotspots throughout the world in support of special operations and conventional forces. In South America, Africa, Europe and throughout the Middle East, gunships have significantly contributed to mission success. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. James Wilson.)
Aircrew assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing flies an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 9, 2025. The wing’s mission is evolving and now includes an operational AC-130J squadron based at Hurlburt Field, marked by a ceremony held July 11, 2025. The AC-130J is the fifth-generation gunship that replaced the fleet of AC-130U/W gunships. AC-130 gunships have an extensive combat history dating back to Vietnam where gunships destroyed more than 10,000 trucks and were credited with many life-saving, close air support missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. James Wilson)
Special Mission Aviators assigned to the 919th Special Operations Wing sit on the ramp of an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship as it taxis towards the runway at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 9, 2025. The wing’s mission is evolving and now includes an operational AC-130J squadron based at Hurlburt Field, marked by a ceremony held July 11, 2025. The AC-130J is modified a precision strike package, which includes a mission management console, robust communications suite, two electro-optical/infrared sensors, advanced fire control equipment, precision guided munitions delivery capability, as well as trainable 30mm and 105mm weapons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. James Wilson)
An aircrew assigned to the 919h Special Operations Wing taxis an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 9, 2025. The wing’s mission is evolving and now includes an operational AC-130J squadron based at Hurlburt Field, marked by a ceremony held July 11, 2025. The AC-130J provides ground forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform that is persistent, ideally suited for urban operations and delivers precision low-yield munitions against ground targets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. James Wilson)
An AC-130J aircrew assigned to the 919h Special Operations Wing taxis an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 9, 2025. The wing’s mission is evolving and now includes an operational AC-130J squadron based at Hurlburt Field marked by a ceremony held July 11, 2025. The AC-130J provides ground forces an expeditionary, direct-fire platform that is persistent, ideally suited for urban operations and delivers precision low-yield munitions against ground targets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. James Wilson)
Reservists from the 919th Special Operations Wing perform pre-flight checks on an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship prior to a local training mission at Hurlburt Field, Florida, July 9, 2025. The wing’s mission is evolving and now includes an operational AC-130J squadron based at Hurlburt Field marked by a ceremony held July 11, 2025. The Reserve flew the AC-130 gunship for two decades and nearly 30 years later, it will now resume its role as mission partners with active duty aircrew and maintainers almost 30 years later. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lt. Col. James Wilson)
 
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