Q&A: Colonel Marshall “Brad” Webb
Wing Boss
Air Commandos Deliver the Fight on Wings and Rotors
Colonel Marshall “Brad” Webb
Commander,
1st Special Operations Wing
Air Force Special Operations
Command
Colonel Brad Webb is commander of the 1st Special Operations Wing located at Hurlburt Field, Fla. He is responsible for preparing Air Force special operations forces for missions worldwide in support of Army, Navy, Marine special operations forces and USAF counterparts. The wing’s mission includes infiltration, exfiltration, re-supply, air refueling, combat aviation advisory, and precision fire support. These capabilities support a variety of special operations missions including direct action, foreign internal defense, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance, counter-terrorism, personnel recovery, psychological operations and information operations.
Webb graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1984 and was awarded his wings as an Honor Graduate from undergraduate pilot training-helicopter at Fort Rucker, Ala. His career includes upgrading to aircraft commander in the UH-1N, achieving evaluator status flying the MH-53H/J, and serving as a special operations squadron flight commander and special operations group flight safety officer, before being selected to attend Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. Afterward, he joined the Joint Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as a J5 action officer. From 2000 to 2003 he held the posts of assistant operations officer, operations officer and commander of the 20th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field. He then attended the National War College at Fort McNair, Washington D.C., and, after a year of study was selected as deputy director, Office of Northern Gulf Affairs, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy at the Pentagon. From there he commanded the 352nd Special Operations Group, Royal Air Force Mildenhall, which serves as the air component for special operations within the European Command. Webb assumed his present duties on July 3, 2007. He is a command pilot with more than 3,700 flying hours.
Webb received a Master of Science degree in international relations from Troy State University, Ala., in 1994. In 2003-2004 he earned a Master of Science in national security strategy from the National War College, Fort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C. He attended the Brookings Institution/European Institute of Public Administration Senior Leader Seminar, Maastricht, Netherlands and Brussels, Belgium in 2006, and the Air Force Enterprise Leadership Seminar, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Kenan-Flagler Business School in 2007.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit; Distinguished Flying Cross; Bronze Star, one oak leaf cluster; Defense Meritorious Service Medal, one oak leaf cluster; Meritorious Service Medal, two oak leaf clusters; Air Medal, three oak leaf clusters; Aerial Achievement Medal, three oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Commendation Medal, one oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Gallant Unit Citation; Joint Meritorious Unit Award, three oak leaf clusters; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor, six oak leaf clusters; and he was the 1996 USAF Cheney Award winner for most valorous flight of the year in humanitarian regard.
Interviewed by SOTECH editor Jeff McKaughan
Q: Good morning Colonel. Could we start with a brief look at the 1st Special Operations Wing?
A: The 1st SOW falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command, and we’re fortunate to be able to call Hurlburt Field home, located near Fort Walton Beach on Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast. We also have two geographically separated units located at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and Creech Air Force Base, Nev.
The 1st SOW conducts special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower to infiltration and exfiltration of special operations forces, deep battlefield re-supply and refueling of special operations aircraft.
The wing consists of more than 6,000 absolutely topnotch, combat-honed Air Commandos. In the past two years, we’ve added four new types of aircraft to our inventory: the MQ-1 Predator, U-28A, MC-130W Combat Spear and the CV-22 Osprey. These new aircraft as well as the rest of our fleet will continue to bring specialized air power to America’s enemies, any time, any place.
Q: What are some of the major contributions the wing has made in the current war on terrorism?
A: If something hits the newswire or CNN, you can rest assured the 1st SOW is going to be a part of it. This is the mentality we develop in our airmen from day one, so we will be ready to respond to any type of contingency.
The 1st SOW has been on the tip of the spear since September 11, 2001. That day, our MH-53 PAVE LOWs aided our countrymen in New York and Washington, D.C.
We flew the first missions in Afghanistan when Operation Enduring Freedom kicked off on October 7, 2001, and we continue flying there today.
Further, we opened combat in Operation Iraqi Freedom where we also remain engaged today.
Let me give you a couple of examples of some of the heroic things the quiet professionals here at the 1st SOW are doing in support of the global war on terrorism.
So far, 1st SOW airmen have earned seven Silver Stars, 137 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 229 Bronze Stars, six Purple Heart Decorations, two Combat Action Medals (with many more making their way through the approval backlog as this is a new award for the Air Force). And our operations group earned the first-ever award of Gallant Unit Citation.
Our vehicle operators are serving in military convoys with the Army, something they didn’t sign up to do, but are courageously doing nonetheless. One received a Purple Heart after IED shrapnel tore into her foot during an insurgent attack.
We had a team of maintainers who successfully recovered a downed MH-53 in Iraq last summer, under the cover of darkness, enduring enemy mortar attacks. In two periods of darkness, these highly trained young airmen disassembled and reduced the weight of the aircraft by 13,000 pounds in order for it to be lifted and carried to safety by a Marine CH-53. Their actions resulted in a safe lift of the $40 million low-density, high-demand special operations asset.
These examples barely skim the surface of what our courageous men and women are doing every day in global war on terrorism.
Q: What was the reason and significance of re-establishing the 1st SOW?
A: The 1st Special Operations Wing has a rich and distinguished lineage that’s traced way back to the formation of the 1st Air Commando Group during World War II. The group, which grew from General Hap Arnold’s 9th special project called Project 9, was led by Lieutenant Colonels Phil Cochran and John Allison, who were charged with providing ground and air support to the British Air Commandos in the China-Burma-India Theater.
After the World War II missions, there was a lull in special operations until 1961, when the group began supporting counterterrorism operations in Vietnam.
In 1962, it was re-established as the 1st Air Commando Wing, and then renamed the 1st SOW in 1969. As the 1st SOW, the original Air Commandos continued to protect the nation’s interests and allies around the world.
In 1993, the Chief of Staff instituted a review of wing designations in an effort to stabilize USAF heritage. His guidance directed that there would be no duplication in the numbering system and that heritage scores would dictate the order of merit.
So, as a result, on October 1, 1993, the 1st SOW was redesignated as the 16th SOW.
On November 16, 2006, the 16th SOW was redesignated the 1st SOW. In keeping with Air Force 60th anniversary theme, Heritage to Horizons, this change once again recognized the heritage of the 1st Air Commando Group and combined it with the contributions and legacy built more recently under the 16th SOW flag.
Despite all the changes, however, our mission at Hurlburt Field remains the same: fly, fight and win; to lead and develop airmen to shape our future Air Force; and forge wingmen, strong families and Air Commando culture.
Today, our mission is to support the global war on terrorism, any time, any place.
Our predecessors of the 1st ACG built a legacy of credibility, capability and faithfulness. We carry that legacy today not only in Iraq and Afghanistan, but also other locations throughout the world.
Q: What is the status of the Predator squadron?
A: We stood up the 3rd Special Operations Squadron, which flies the MQ-1 Predator, at Creech AFB in Nevada, on October 28, 2005. Even before the official stand-up date, a handful of crews from the 3rd SOS had flown more than 1,000 hours—all combat, with no support staffing, and flying borrowed aircraft. The 3rd SOS seamlessly stood up while flying continuous 24/7 combat operations. Since then the squadron has provided dedicated, SOFfocused intel for our operations.
Dragon crews, as they’re called, come from MH-53s, MH-60s, MC-130s, AC-130s, slick C-130s, B-52s, F-15s, F-16s, B-1s, the V- 22 and the list goes on with intelligence, weather, maintenance, and various other specialties filling out the ranks. The experience gained from these diverse platforms and a singular mission focus allows them to offer an unprecedented level of support SOF teams on the ground.
Since its reactivation, the 3rd SOS has become one of the most requested air asset in both the Afghan and Iraqi theaters.
The unit has been involved in more than 300 operations and provided persistent intelligence coverage for more than 400 objectives, resulting in over 1,100 enemies detained or killed in action, 63 of which were high value individuals. In 2006, with an average of only 14 line crews and two borrowed aircraft, the 3rd SOS flew as many combat hours as the rest of AFSOC, combined.
Dragon crews contributed directly to the successful engagement of numerous high value targets in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom during this timeframe.
This past May, the 3rd SOS nearly doubled in size and tripled its wartime tasking by absorbing Air Combat Command aircraft, equipment and personnel into AFSOC. This major acquisition provides enough resources to support six MQ-1 Predator combat air patrols—24/7, 365 days a year. The 3rd SOS is the first unmanned aerial system squadron in AFSOC.
The transition enables SOF operators engaged in the GWOT to receive Air Commando Predator support any time, any place.
Q: At very senior levels, there has been much talked and written about the aging AFSOC fleet and plans for relief. From someone much closer at the operations level, what are you facing with these older airframes from a maintainability and mission-ready status?
A: We’ve been engaged in conflicts constantly throughout the years, and, yes, our aircraft are showing the wear and tear of constant operational use.
We’ve already replaced the center wing boxes of our Vietnamera C-130s, but now the 1980s-era C-130s are coming due. Problem is you just can’t pull an aircraft off the line without affecting the mission or training.
Even our new aircraft, the MC-130W, which has almost the same capabilities as a Talon II, is 19 years old. But it will help us bridge the gap created by taking aircraft off the ramp for CWB replacement.
It’s a challenge for us, to be sure, but we have a solid management schedule in place to overcome this.
Q: Turning from aging aircraft to one of the newer platforms— the CV-22. How is everything associated with that progressing, and what still needs to be done to have people and equipment ready?
A: The CV-22 and the 8th Special Operations Squadron are maturing nicely. The 8th SOS transitioned last year from the MC- 130E Combat Talon when the last active duty flight was conducted on August 11, 2006. We just received our third CV-22. The 8th SOS is gaining proficiency in the aircraft as it builds combat crews. Aircrews continue to arrive with squadron manpower buildup tied to aircraft deliveries. While building proficiency, the squadron is refining tactics, techniques and procedures to be used in combat.
For example, the 8th just completed a mission to validate water operations tactics, techniques and procedures with the Navy SEALs and Air Force Special Tactics airmen in June. The mission was a three-part event with boat deployment, helocasting and live water hoist operations. We’ll use the knowledge gained during the validation exercise to create new training plans for all future aircrews on the best way to accomplish these types of operations.
The 8th SOS also recently completed military freefall parachute operations with the Army Golden Knights during the Special Operations Forces Week at MacDill Air Force Base, and they plan on doing some shipboard operations with the Navy in the near future.
In October of this year, the 8th SOS will execute initial operational test and evaluation [IOT&E] as part of an AFOTEC sponsored test. This test will support a SOCOM fielding decision, with initial operating capability set for January 2009.
The CV-22 Osprey is truly a transformation in special operations air power. The aircraft’s tilt-rotor technology allows it to perform missions which usually require rotary and fixed wing aircraft. It offers an unmatched capability that will save lives in current and future conflicts.
Q: The 319th SOS operates the U-28A, which is an aircraft with specific short field operating characteristics. Would you like to see additional aircraft like this in the inventory and is there a need for perhaps a twin-engine-sized aircraft with similar performance?
A: The 319th is the reemergence of small aircraft to special operations. It has demonstrated the value of a small, low-cost agile capability that adapts to mission requirements. Introducing varying sizes and types of aircraft is potentially the next step in meeting the theater commander’s mission needs. We’ve cut our teeth on the U-28 as a utility aircraft and I have a feeling there’s more aircraft and missions to come in the future. The size and type of these aircraft will be driven by mission requirements. We’ll do whatever is necessary to meet those requirements.
Q: Besides the operational hours being put on the aircraft, it is also putting more time on the air and ground crews. What are you doing to keep crews fresh and keep them in uniform when there are temptations out in the civilian world?
A: We really don’t have a retention problem in the 1st SOW, or in AFSOC, for that matter. What we do have, in abundance, is simple job satisfaction. You can’t get the kind of job satisfaction in the civilian world that you get in AFSOC. It keeps our Air Commandos motivated seeing the results of their actions and it’s rewarding to know you’re helping to keep America safe.
Therefore, we must concentrate on taking care of our Air Commandos and their families. As long as we do that, we’ll be fine.
We pride ourselves in the programs and initiatives we have in place to take care of our airmen and families.
We speak of forging wingmen, strong families and Air Commando culture. It means we like to think of each other as one big family. Being part of that family makes it our responsibility to take care of one another and continue the long tradition of our Air Commando heritage.
It also means we strive to offer the best care programs and facilities possible to everyone of Team Hurlburt.
Some programs we have in place are Operation Homecoming which gives friends and family members an opportunity to welcome loved ones home as they step off the plane.
The Heartlink and Hearts Apart program helps keep families connected during deployments.
Also we have several construction and improvement projects going on to enhance our Air Commando quality of life. One is the new Child Development Center annex adding room for 54 more children enabling care for infants.
So, when you see what kind of programs we have in place to take care of our families, coupled with the results-based job satisfaction of performing the special operations mission, we have greatly lessened retention as an issue for us.
Q: What is the status of the Combat Aviation Advisory mission?
A: The 6th Special Operations Squadron provides combat aviation advisory to foreign nations, and it’s the only one of its kind in the Department of Defense. They’ve been in a recruiting phase for the past year and have nearly met their goal of doubling the size of their squadron.
Their mission involves helping friends and allies apply airpower while countering the internal threats of subversion, lawlessness and insurgency. They also help developing nations integrate their airpower into the theater campaign, and upgrade their aviation capabilities.
Whatever capability that country currently has, we will help bring their game to the next level—whether its basic flight and maintenance to advanced nighttime air assault operations—we stand by to help other countries field competent and credible special operations aviation.
Q: What type of training do the airmen of the 6th SOS go through?
A: They receive language and cultural training related to the particular area of the world they are assigned. It’s really intense training, sometimes up to a year long.
Language training can last three to six months, depending on the language. It’s very focused training…during this training, they don’t do anything else, no flying, no maintenance training, they do language training only. It’s very important because since most of our job is dealing with people in other countries, speaking their language helps build relationships.
Squadron advisors belonging to the 6th SOS represent 32 separate Air Force Specialty Codes, and they speak a variety of languages, including Russian, Polish, German, Korean, Arabic, Spanish, French and Thai.
Q: What are some examples of recent 6th SOS missions?
A: Every day, our 6th SOS Air Commandos are deployed in any given theater and support the global war on terrorism by teaching foreign militaries and partner nations how to defend against internal threats.
For example, they went to the Philippines and showed the Philippine Air Force [PAF] aviation units different methods to combat Islamic insurgents. Our foreign internal defense advisors trained the PAF pilot and gunner in night vision flying to include advanced infiltration/exfiltration techniques and trained the PAF on casualty evacuation operations using a new capability of tactical flight medics.
On another mission, the 6th SOS traveled to the Trans-Sahara Region to assess, train and advise Nigerian airmen in C-130 maintenance and flying operations. The FID advisors oversaw Nigerian maintenance and refurbishing efforts, returning their C-130H to flight status and ensuring the reliability and safety of their fleet. Then they trained 46 operations personnel in day-time tactical flying, aerial re-supply operations and search and rescue.
Q: How much longer will the MH-53’s be operational?
A: The complete drawdown is scheduled for the end of September 2008.
The MH-53 is a legacy weapon system that has been in the Air Force inventory since the 1960s. Maintenance on these aging aircraft has become increasingly difficult and expensive. Certain replacement parts are very hard to comeby because manufacturers are just not producing them anymore.
The mission requirements once satisfied by the MH-53s will be partly replaced by the CV-22. The CV-22 can travel at twice the speed with four times the range of the MH-53 without refueling. The CV-22 also fills a longstanding USSOCOM requirement for a platform with the capability to conduct long-range infiltration and exfiltration missions in a single period of darkness.
The CV-22’s arrival comes at the right time—it will transform the way we fight, and the way we think about fighting.
However, the 20th Special Operation Squadron who operates the MH-53’s has a long, rich history that will live on and on. The contributions made throughout the years by the operators of the mighty Pave Low will not be forgotten. On September 11, 2001, our MH-53 Pave Lows aided our countrymen in New York and Washington, D.C. Who can forget the famous picture of the burning World Trade Center reflected in the goggles of the MH-53 pilot?
Q: Looking at more mission-specific trends, long-duration missions, many like those flown by gunships, are at relatively low level where the ride may be a little rougher. Are there things that can be done to reduce the rigors of these missions or is it simply a fact of the job?
A: The capabilities gunships bring to the fight are best delivered from relatively lower altitudes. The closer we can get to the target the better the accuracy we achieve. The length of missions is dictated by the nature of the specific mission and the value of the target. As long as there are troops on the ground who need us, we will be there.
Our overriding concern is pinpoint accuracy of our fires. We assess the threat continually as we employ the gunship and will adjust our tactics techniques and procedures accordingly… including altitudes based on that assessment.
I have a great example of what our gunships and operators are capable of: During one mission in Afghanistan in May of last year, one of our gunship crews were involved in the largest battle against enemy Taliban forces since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom. During that battle, which was coordinating with three task forces and multiple air assets, the gunship’s infrared cameras were able to detect an unarmed Afghani family with children fleeing amidst hundreds of armed combatants occupying the battlefield. The crew passed their position to SOF on the ground, ensuring safe passage for the family. Throughout the battle, the crew continued to suppress the enemy with precision fire power, destroyed their compound, calling off A-10 bomb drops that would have come dangerously close to friendly forces, reducing collateral damage and potential fratricide, and finally enabled two MH-47 Chinook helicopters to land and exfil SOF troops from the dangerous situation on the ground.
This is just an example of the importance of having the AC- 130 in the fight. It’s an unmatched capability.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: Yes. All throughout my 20 years in SOF, one statement has been proven true—humans are more important than hardware. I’d like to tell you about our top notch men and women who take the fight to the enemy every day in defending the freedoms we all enjoy.
Our operators are in the skies, bringing the fight to America’s enemies, often in locations known only to them.
Our intelligence experts provide crucial analysis to our warriors allowing them to have first-strike capabilities.
Our maintainers are on the flightline here and others throughout the world, turning wrenches and keeping our machines ready for war.
Our medical professionals are taking best care of our wingmen here and abroad, as well as taking best care of our retirees and families at home.
Our civil engineering, mission support, communications, contracting, security forces, logistics readiness and services professionals stand ready to provide world-class support to our world-class wing.
Without our people, we have no wing. I’m honored to be their commander. ♦