DUKE FIELD, Fla. —
While headlines often focus on major combat operations or high-visibility deployments, a quieter force is shaping the future of global security—Air Force Special Operations Command’s Special Operations Advisor Teams. Operating under the 492nd Special Operations Wing, these highly trained teams are experts in building partner capacity, fostering long-term relationships with regionally aligned partner nations within U.S. Southern Command, and amplifying power through security cooperation.
SOATs are composed of Air Commandos who combine tactical expertise with cultural understanding, language proficiency, and advisory skills. Their mission: to regionally synchronize, integrate, enable, and selectively employ Air Force Special Operations Forces capabilities in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility to further national priorities and outpace strategic competitors through unparalleled multi-domain support to the joint force.
“Our SOATs advise, assist, and enable partner forces in achieving their own security objectives—thereby contributing to regional stability and strengthening partnerships that endure across generations,” said the squadron commander.
Members recently demonstrated their capabilities during SOUTHERN STAR ‘25, a multinational special operations exercise that took place across Chile from May 26 to June 8, 2025. The exercise brought together forces from six nations and 10 observer countries, totaling more than 2,700 participants. Their shared mission was to enhance interoperability and strengthen global special operations partnerships through joint training from Antofagasta to Punta Arenas . The SOATs participation helped synchronize air-to-ground integration and improve interoperability between U.S. and Chilean units, further reinforcing mutual readiness.
SOAT members must train regularly in tactical operations, communication protocols, physical fitness, and scenario-based exercises to assess readiness and ensure operational standards are met. To formally evaluate this proficiency, teams annually participate in a unit-led certification exercise designed to assess operational readiness, reinforce standards, and ensure all SOAT members meet mission-critical performance requirements.
“Our mission is to maintain the highest standards of training, proficiency, and operational precision within Special Operations Advisor Teams,” said the squadron operations officer. “This commitment ensures their capability to effectively advise, lead, and execute complex missions that advance national security objectives and uphold strategic interests in dynamic and challenging environments.”
Beyond exercises, SOATs are on the front lines of generational partnership building; establishing trust and cooperation with foreign counterparts that span not just missions, but decades. This enduring engagement creates a network of allied capability that magnifies U.S. strategic reach while allowing partner nations to stand stronger on their own.
In a world of evolving threats and increasing geopolitical complexity, Special Operations Advisor Teams represent one of AFSOC’s most flexible and impactful tools. They are advisors, diplomats, and force multipliers setting the standard— El más dedicado gana. ..The most dedicated wins.
By TSgt Carly Feliciano, 492nd Special Operations Wing
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