HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. – Air Force Special Operations Command activated the 31st Air Task Force July 15 and marked the milestone with a stand-up and assumption of command ceremony Sept. 12 at Hurlburt Field.
The ceremony presided over by U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Martin, AFSOC deputy commander, marked the official activation of AFSOC’s second ATF. U.S. Air Force Col. Brad M. Dvorak assumed command, and Chief Master Sgt. Matthew Greiner will serve as the command chief.
“We are activating the next Air Force unit of action,” said Martin. “This unit is deliberately integrated, self-sufficient, and ready to bring airpower anywhere in the world.”
ATFs are limited-scale, experimental units designed to provide combat capabilities to the Joint Force. As the Air Force transitions away from the Expeditionary Air Base model, ATFs serve as a step toward the Air Force’s long-term design for building fully ready, taskable units prepared to compete and win.
“We have been what the nation needed us to be for the last 20 years,” said Martin. “This is the next chapter in how the Air Force meets the next threats and challenges globally.”
Airmen assigned to the ATF will align with the Air Force Force Generation cycle, deploying as cohesive units rather than aggregating personnel from multiple installations. The deliberate cycle fosters unit familiarity and provides clearer assessments of Air Force capacity to the joint force.
“You won’t find a better integrated group of Airmen working across mission lines, united by a shared vision and forged through incredible community support,” said Dvorak.
The stand-up of the 31st ATF reflects a service-wide effort to build teams capable of delivering integrated capabilities to combatant commanders while strengthening the Air Force’s long-term force design.
“In short order, we’re bringing air superiority any time, any place, anywhere,” said Dvorak. “Chief Greiner and I are so grateful to lead such a talented group of individuals.”
The Department of the Air Force has designated seven ATFs across the service as part of this force presentation initiative. ATFs mark a key stage in the Air Force’s continuing path to modernization and readiness, ensuring the service is postured to outpace emerging threats.
Story by 2nd Lt Rachel Heck | 1st Special Operations Wing
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