This distinctively-camouflaged Bell UH-1N Iroquois is used by the 6th SOS, which serves as a combat aviation advisory unit, the only one of its kind in the USAF. The unit has been training foreign allied air forces since 1994.

Replacing the MH-53M is the CV-22B Osprey, which the 1st SOW began receiving in October 2006 AFSOC is due to receive 50 of these tilt-rotors, which combine the speed, range and payload carrying ability of a fixed-wing aircraft with the flexibility of a helicopter.

After serving AFSOC for 28 years, the last operational MH-53 was retired on September 30, 2008 An example of the final variant in service, the MH-53M Pave Low IV, is pictured off the coast of Florida, near Hurlburt Field.

This Mil Mi-8 is used by th 6th SOS. A number of the unit's aircraft carry a '?’ (in this case next to the cockpit), which relates to the number of questions the squadron's aircrews get asked due to the unusual aircraft types they operate.

During combat operations. AC-130 gunships never fly during hours of daylight, hence the name 'Nightstalkers', used informally by 4th and 16th SOS personnel. This AC-130U Spooky is pictured on a training sortie, ejecting self-defence flares

A close-up of an AC-130U's 40mm L-60 Bofors cannon and 105mm M102 Howitzer. The type is also armed with a 25mm GAU-12 Gatling gun. The amount of accurate firepower the AC-130s can lay down on a target has resulted in the type being the AFSOC aircraft most in demand.

This MC-130P Combat Shadow is one of four MC special operations variants in service with AFSOC. This variant's main role is air refuelling.

This close up photo of an MC-130H Combat Talon II highlights the large radome which houses the Lockheed Martin AN/APG-175 multi-mode radar. The MC-130E has a similar configuration but uses the AN/APG-170. These systems enhance the low-level terrain following and weather avoidance capabilities of these Hercules.