The Air Force's newest special tactics career field, Special Reconnaissance, is part of a larger shift as SR, combat controllers, and pararescumen prepare for near-peer conflict.
near-peer conflict
The Air Force Special Reconnaissance Apprentice Course teaches Airmen the basics of infiltrating deep behind enemy lines to collect intelligence for friendly airpower.
Special Reconnaissance Airmen are trained to collect intelligence for airpower planners with a wide range of tools, from ghillie suits to small drones and cyber warfare.
While U.S. military leaders worry about China as a near-peer threat, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has doubts has serious doubts about the PLA’s political reliability, leadership, and ability to mobilize, fight, and win wars, according to a new report.
The need to prepare for great power competition means Air Force Special Operations Command is at a historic “inflection point” akin to transformations following the failed 1980 hostage rescue in Iran and four counter-terrorism operations after 9/11. “The rise of belligerent peers and near-peers who ...
“Irregular warfare” isn’t just for special operations forces. A newly published summary of an annex to the 2018 National Defense Strategy argues that after decades of asymmetric conflict—wars where enemies have exploited weaknesses in U.S. technology and tactics—the Pentagon is still underprepared for that kind ...