A CV-22 Osprey lands at Melrose Air Force Range, New Mexico, during a visit from US Army Gen Joseph L Votel, commander of US Special Operations Command, in 2015

A row of CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft assigned to the 20th Special Operations Squadron prepare to take off during Exercise Silent Arrow at Wendover, Utah. Known as a validation exercise, Silent Arrow is the final part in a series of exercises designed to test the effectiveness of Air Force Special Operations Command's Mission Sustainment Team initiative

US Air Force Special Tactics Airmen assigned to the 26th Special Tactics Squadron load a simulated casualty on to a CV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft

An MQ-9 Reaper sits on the flight line at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, December 17, 2019. The type is widely utilised by AFSOC for its long endurance and range of payloads

A forward area refuelling point airman assigned to the 27th Special Operations Mission Sustainment Team 1 provides perimeter security near a U-28 Draco during operational readiness exercises in 2021

An MC-130J Commando II aircraft, pictured here from the 9th Special Operations Squadron, provides air transportation for personnel and cargo to austere environments

An MC-130J Commando II aircraft takes off during Exercise Coyote Dicer on Melrose Air Force Range in New Mexico in October 2021