AFSOC welcomes new USSOCOM leader

Air Force Special Operations Command welcomed the commander of United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), U.S. Army Gen. Richard D. Clarke, to Hurlburt Field, Florida, on May 7.

During the visit, Clarke received an AFSOC orientation togain an increased understanding of how the command contributes to the NationalDefense Strategy.

Clarke assumed command of USSOCOM on March 29, 2019, afterserving at the Pentagon as the director for strategic plans and policy, JointStaff.

As the 12th commander of USSOCOM, Clarke overseesapproximately 70,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and civilians from theAir Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps Special Operations Forces and theTheater Special Operation Commands (TSOCs).

The AFSOC stop is Clarke’s first in a series to see USSOCOMcomponents and TSOCs.

While Clarke toured different units, he met the airmen andleaders who accomplish the AFSOC mission of providing our nation’s specializedairpower… any place, any time, anywhere.

Clarke observed capability demonstrations of AFSOC’s airmenand aircraft. These included a MC-130J Commando II and Special OperationsSurgical Team demonstration, an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship demonstration withSpecial Tactics airmen, a CV-22B Osprey demonstration with a personnel recoveryteam along with non-standard aviation asset demonstrations.

As the commander of USSOCOM, Clarke’s five specialoperations priorities are: compete and win for the nation, preserve and growreadiness, innovate for future threats, advance partnerships, and strengthenour force and family.

"AFSOC’s airmen are already out there creating multiple dilemmas for our adversaries," said Clarke. He went on to acknowledge appreciation for AFSOC’s 2030 vision and how it nests within and supports the larger National Defense Strategy.

Throughout the visit, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Brad Webb,commander of AFSOC, and Chief Master Sgt. Gregory Smith, command chief ofAFSOC, hosted Clarke.

“Leadership visits like this are so important for our command,”said Webb. “It’s great to demonstrate our various weapon systems, but moreimportantly Gen. Clarke really wanted to have time with our Air Commandos andlearn more about them and their missions.”

Throughout the day Gen. Clarke met countless airmen from across the AFSOC enterprise all working toward the same goal, providing specialized airpower that’s capable across the spectrum of conflict, said Smith. “What I believe Gen. Clarke took away from this visit is AFSOC’s humble competence and contribution to the joint fight.”

Source: US Air Force Special Operations Command