Emerald Warrior 17

A U.S. Air Force 58th Rescue Squadron pararescueman conducts disaster relief training during Emerald Warrior 17 at Perry, Ga., March 9, 2017. Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command exercise during which joint special operations forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

Emerald Warrior 17

A U.S. Air Force Special Operations Surgical Team from the 720th Operations Support Squadron secure patients on an MC-130J Commando II during Emerald Warrior 17 at Hurlburt Field, Fla., March 2, 2017. Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command exercise during which joint special operations forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keifer Bowes)

Emerald Warrior 17

U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Airmen assigned to the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron conduct precision strike call for fire during Emerald Warrior 17 at Eglin Range, Fla., March 4, 2017. Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command exercise during which joint special operations forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nicholas Dutton)

Emerald Warrior 2017

French air force special operations forces members perform a static-line jump during Emerald Warrior 2017 at Hurlburt Field, Fla., March 8, 2017. At Emerald Warrior, the largest joint special operations exercise, U.S. Special Operations Command forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Douglas Ellis)

Emerald Warrior 17

U.S. Air Force combat controllers from the 24th Special operations wing sit aboard a U.S. Air Force CV-22 Osprey at Avon Park, Fla., March 7th, 2017 during Emerald Warrior 17. Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command exercise during which joint special operations forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Keifer Bowes)

Emerald Warrior 17

U.S. Air Force 24th Special Operations Wing Special Tactics Airmen stand-by for a personnel recovery mission during Emerald Warrior 17 at Hurlburt Field, Fla., March 2, 2017. Emerald Warrior is a U.S. Special Operations Command exercise during which joint special operations forces train to respond to various threats across the spectrum of conflict. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Corey Hook)

Special Tactics trains joint leaders to win

Published April 6, 2017
By Senior Airman Ryan Conroy
24th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --

Emerald Warrior is an annual air-centric irregular warfare exercise directed by U.S. Special Operations Command, but this year, something different happened: the Air Force’s ground special operations force specifically trained joint leaders how to win across multiple domains.

For the first time during EW17, Air Force Special Tactics executed command and control of all ground special operations forces during the two-week irregular warfare exercise, which ended March 10.

"This was the first time that Special Tactics has fielded a SOTF headquarters -- everything from leadership to sustainment, planning of operations to execution," said Lt. Col. Daniel Magruder, commander of the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron.

For Special Tactics Airmen, EW17 was a proof of concept for the Air Force's role in future joint operations: employing Airmen in leadership positions against an enemy-centric problem.

"EW 17 provided us a great opportunity to further refine and train toward the responsibility to lead at the O-5/E-9 joint special operation forces task force level," said Col. Michael E. Martin, commander of the 24th Special Operations Wing. "Lt. Col. Magruder and Chief Innis surpassed our expectations and the joint standards to lead and employ as Special Operations Task Force command team."

The ground component of EW17 was led by an ST Airman, Magruder, who acted as the exercise’s SOTF commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Scott Innis, who acted as the senior enlisted leader.

Magruder and his staff led EW17's entire ground component special operations force, including 300 operators from France, the Netherlands, the U.S. Army’s 7^th Special Forces Group and Air Force Special Tactics teams.

The SOTF planned and executed 21 full mission profiles in compressed timeline of 10 days. Primarily, special operations teams performed an array of congressionally-mandated missions spanning global access, direct action and personnel recovery.

“From our perspective, this was about developing joint leaders in the Air Force,” said Magruder. “This is a great venue in terms of developing some experience in the ground scheme of maneuver and translating that into something that Airmen understand in terms of what higher headquarters is expecting to achieve from a joint-force perspective.”

Special Tactics Airmen were the preponderance of ground special operations force, and integrated the air component ,to include fighter and global strike bomber aircraft into their missions,--instead of visa versa. As with many firsts in a complex operating environment, the Air Force-led SOTF faced and overcame a multitude of challenges.

According to Magruder, it was challenging to effectively manage information and synchronize resources while meeting training objectives and executing safe operations on such a large scale-- another reason Special Tactics dedicates itself to training like they will fight.

"Special Tactics is all about looking at ways to solve hard problems and contribute to the win," said Martin. "The 22 STS successfully deployed and led a SOTF at Weapons School Integration phase on Dec. 16, and then to EW 17. I have all the confidence in them to lead during crisis and combat."