U.S. Army Capt. Ryan Gibbons, 9th Special Operations Squadron pilot, performs preflight checks in an MC-130J Commando II before takeoff during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., More
An MC-130J Commando II sits on the flight line before takeoff during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 21, 2019. Emerald Warrior/Trident is the largest joint special ope More
Aircrews from the 20th Special Operations Squadron and 9th SOS prepare CV-22 Ospreys and an MC-130J Commando II for takeoff during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 24, More
Senior Airman Brennan Hill, 9th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, performs an engine check for an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 16, More
Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey Tremel, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron independent duty medical technician, preps medical equipment before an exercise during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Isla More
An aircrew from the 9th Special Operations Squadron perform preflight inspections in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 19, 2019. Emerald Wa More
Airmen from the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron conduct preflight checks on four MC-130P Combat Shadows and two MC-130H Combat Talon IIs during a training exercise on the flightline at Eglin Air For More
U.S. Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow taxis after landing on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012. Hurlburt Field assets returned home following the completion of Operation New Dawn and the subsequent withdr More
Loadmasters from the 9th Special Operations Squadron load a Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System on an MC-130J Commando II at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Nov. 10, 2015. The craft was loaded in preparation for More
An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., departs after receiving fuel from an MC-130J Commando II tanker aircraft assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cann More
Master Sgt.Joseph Thayer a loadmaster assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., performs a pre-flight inspection of an MC-130J Commando II aircraft prior to a training missio More
Aircrew with the 9th Special Operations Squadron participate in a bilateral training exercise in central Tennessee, July 10, 2017. Five U.S. Army helicopters performed air-to-air refueling with the Commando II More
Aircrew with the 9th Special Operations Squadron participate in a bilateral training exercise in central Tennessee, July 10, 2017. The exercise provided advanced tactical training for Air Force Special Operatio More
A U.S. Marine radios his team in the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System at Utah Test and Training Range on Hill Air Force Base during Emerald Warrior, Jan. 23, 2020. Emerald Warrior 20-1 provides annual More
An MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron taxis during Agile Flag 21-1 at Hurlburt Field, Florida, Oct. 27, 2020. The Commando II flies clandestine, or low visibility, single or mul More
Aircrew from the 9th Special Operations Squadron perform preflight checks before takeoff in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 21, 2019. Eme More
Airmen from the 20th Special Operations Squadron take off in CV-22 Ospreys during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 24, 2019. Emerald Warrior/Trident is the largest join More
Senior Airman Brennan Hill, 9th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, prepares an MC-130J Commando II for members of SEAL Team seven to perform jump training during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Statio More
Aircrew from the 9th Special Operations Squadron conduct low-level flight training in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 16, 2019. Emerald W More
Capt. Douglas Bosin, 27th Special Operations Support Squadron special operations forces medical element flight surgeon, preps a simulated patient for an exercise during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Stat More
Aircrew from the 9th Special Operations Squadron perform preflight checks on two MC-130J Commando IIs before takeoff during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 23, 2019. E More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jarred Shockey, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron crew chief, runs to get in place as an MC-130P Combat Shadow finishes preflight checks during an exercise on the flightli More
Airmen from the 9th Special Operations Squadron reunite with their fellow airmen on Eglin Air Force Base Fla., Jan. 6, 2012, after being deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. The Combat Shadows hav More
Loadmasters from the 9th Special Operations Squadron load a Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System on an MC-130J Commando II at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Nov. 10, 2015.The craft was loaded in preparation for t More
Staff Sgt. Adrian Steenbergh a loadmaster assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., performs a pre-flight inspection of an MC-130J Commando II aircraft prior to a training mi More
Master Sgt. Mike Walters, a loadmaster with the 9th Special Operations Squadron, performs pre-flight inspections of an MC-130J Commando II during a bilateral training exercise at Smyrna, Tenn., July 10, 2017. A More
U.S. Marines set up two M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems at Utah Test and Training Range on Hill Air Force Base during Emerald Warrior, Jan. 23, 2020. Emerald Warrior 20-1 provides annual, realistic More
Airmen assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command offload equipment from an MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron during Agile Flag 21-1 at Hurlburt Fi More
Senior Airman Brennan Hill, 9th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, observes as their sister MC-130J Commando II is prepared for takeoff during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Cal More
Maj. John Richardson (right), 27th Special Operations Support Squadron physician, practices medical care on a simulated patient during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January More
An MC-130J Commando II from the 9th Special Operations Squadron sits on the flightline after operations during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 24, 2019. Emerald Warrio More
U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ryan Gibbons, 9th Special Operations Squadron pilot, performs preflight inspections in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Ja More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jarred Shockey, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron crew chief, observes an MC-130P Combat Shadow running pre-flight checks on the flightline at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., More
U.S. Air Force Command Chief Master Sgt. William Turner, command chief master sergeant of Air Force Special Operations Command, shakes hands with a returning Air Commando on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 6, More
An MC-130J Commando II from the 9th Special Operations Squadron airdrops a Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System over the Gulf of Mexico during a training exercise, Nov. 12, 2015. This was the first time aircre More
An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., taxis at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 26, 2017. Forward area refueling point Air Commandos with the 1st Special Operations Logis More
Master Sgt.Joseph Thayer and Staff Sgt. Robert LeMay both loadmasters assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., review pre-flight checklists aboard an MC-130J Commando II air More
Aircrew with the 9th Special Operations Squadron participate in a bilateral training exercise in central Tennessee, July 10, 2017.
A U.S. Marine radios his Master Sergeant while preparing the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System at Utah Test and Training Range on Hill Air Force Base during Emerald Warrior, Jan. 23, 2020. Emerald Warr More
Senior Airman Kyle Jones, 9th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, performs an engine check for an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 23, 20 More
Airmen from the 9th Special Operations Squadron prepare an MC-130J Commando II for takeoff during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 24, 2019. Emerald Warrior/Trident is More
Capt. Douglas Bosin, 9th Special Operations Squadron pilot, performs conducts low-level operations in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 21, More
Senior Airman Kyle Jones, 9th Special Operations Squadron loadmaster, lowers the ramp of an MC-130J Commando II in preparation for SEAL Team seven jump training during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Stati More
Senior Master Sgt. Alexander Farver, 1st Combat Camera Squadron combat aerial broadcaster, films aircrew from the 9th Special Operations Squadron during low-level flight training in an MC-130J Commando II durin More
Three 9th Special Operations Squadron MC-130P Combat Shadows taxi on the flightline during a field exercise at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., July 25. The 9th SOS's mission is the penetration of enemy territory us More
U.S. Air Force Capt. Andy Rhodes, navigator for 9th Special Operations Squadron, hugs his wife, Tina, after returning from deployment in Iraq on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012. Airmen from the 9th SOS More
A Maritime Craft Aerial Delivery System deploys over the Gulf of Mexico during a 9th Special Operations Squadron training exercise, Nov. 12, 2015. This was the first time aircrews from the 9th SOS successfully More
An F-22 Raptor assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron, Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., is marshalled in by a forward area refueling point Air Commando with the 1st Special Operations Logistic Readiness Squadron at More
Loadmasters assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., guide a container delivery system pallet onto an MC-130J Commando II aircraft prior to a training mission, Cannon Air Fo More
Airmen from the 27th Special Operations Support Squadron special operations forces medical element practice medical care on a simulated patient during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, More
Capt. Jason Brown, 9th Special Operations Squadron pilot, commands an MC-130J Commando II while flying in support of Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 23, 2019. Emerald More
SEAL Team seven members jump from an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 19, 2019. Emerald Warrior/Trident is the largest joint special operatio More
Aircrew from the 9th Special Operations Squadron in an MC-130J Commando II refuel a CV-22 Osprey during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 24, 2019. Emerald Warrior/Tride More
Maj. Meghan O'Rourke, 9th Special Operations Squadron combat systems officer prepares for takeoff in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 21, More
Maj. Meghan O'Rourke, 9th Special Operations Squadron combat systems officer, assists with low-level flight training in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, C More
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Keith Collins, 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron aerospace propulsion journeyman, works on an MC-130H Combat Talon II engine on the flightline at Eglin, Fla., July 25. The 1s More
U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Ryan, pilot for 9th Special Operations Squadron, reunites with his wife, Amber, on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012. Airmen from the 9th SOS have been deployed in support of More
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Nathan Scopac, 9th Special Operations Squadron commander and Captain Alex Boykin, 9th SOS executive officer, prepare for landing at Duke Field, Fla. Nov. 13, 2015. Scopac and Boykin cond More
Forward area refueling point Air Commandos with the 1st Special Operations Logistic Readiness Squadron sprint around an F-22 Raptor during a FARP operation at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 26, 2017. FARP Airmen re More
Master Sgt.Joseph Thayer a loadmaster assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., secures cargo to the floor of a MC-130J Commando II aircraft prior to a training mission, Ca More
U.S. Army helicopters conducts air-to-air refueling with a 9th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II during a bilateral training exercise above central Tennessee, July 10, 2017. Five helicopters perfo More
Staff Sgt. Bob LeMay, a loadmaster with the 9th Special Operations Squadron, removes the sunshade of an MC-130J Commando II during a bilateral training exercise at Smyrna, Tenn., July 10, 2017. The exercise pro More
Airmen assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Combat Command offload a cart of GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions from an MC-130J Commando II assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron More
Pilots from the 9th Special Operations Squadron command an MC-130J Commando II while it is refueled by a KC-135 Stratotanker during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 23, More
A 9th Special Operations Squadron combat systems officer continuously assesses and coordinates a night operation in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif More
An aircrew from the 9th Special Operations Squadron conducts low-level operations in an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 21, 2019. Emerald Wa More
SEAL Team seven members verify their jump location from an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 19, 2019. Emerald Warrior/Trident is the largest More
U.S. Air Force Capt. Thomas Ryan, a pilot for 9th Special Operations Squadron, drops luggage off outside of a C-130 Gunship on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012. The two MC-130P Combat Shadows are the fi More
Forward area refueling point Airmen with the 1st Special Operations Logistic Readiness Squadron prepare to connect a fuel hose to an F-22 Raptor during a FARP operation at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 26, 2017. F More
Staff Sgt. Robert LeMay a loadmaster assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., reviews checklist items aboard a MC-130J Commando II aircraft prior to a container delivery sys More
Airmen from the 9th Special Operations Squadron pack 'bread trucks' with returning service members' gear after returning from a deployment to Iraq, Jan. 6, 2012. Operation Iraqi Freedom was followed by Operatio More
Forward area refueling point Airmen with the 1st Special Operations Logistic Readiness Squadron conduct a FARP operation at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 26, 2017. The FARP program is a United States Special Opera More
Staff Sgt. Robert LeMay and Master Sgt.Joseph Thayer both loadmasters assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., observe container delivery systems after deployment during a More
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicholas Alford, a weapons load crew member assigned to the 389th Fighter Squadron, offloads a cart of GBU-38 joint direct attack munitions from an MC-130J Commando II assigned to t More
Aircrew from the 9th Special Operations Squadron refuel an Army MH-47 Chinook from an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior/Trident at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., January 23, 2019. Emerald Warr More
U.S Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow taxis after landing on the flight-line on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., Jan. 6, 2012. The last two Hurlburt Field assets returned home after deploying to Iraq in 2003 when Oper More
A forward area refueling point Airmen with the 1st Special Operations Logistic Readiness Squadron pulls a fuel hose during a FARP operation at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 26, 2017. The FARP program is a United S More
Staff Sgt. Robert LeMay a loadmaster assigned to the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., speaks with the MC-130J Commando II aircrew during a training mission over Melrose Air Force More