SR OR SPECIAL RECONNAISSANCE
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What is sr and the mission?
“Special Reconnaissance Airmen are Special Tactics operators with unique training to conduct multi-domain reconnaissance and surveillance across the spectrum of conflict with focus on lethal and non-lethal air to ground integration of airpower. They deploy rapidly and undetected by any means, anytime, and anywhere to systematically – and with impunity – obtain, transmit, exploit, and action time-sensitive information. USAF Special Reconnaissance employ as elements of Special Tactics teams to prepare the environment, ensure global battlespace awareness, provide global access, and effect air, space, cyberspace, and information superiority for the successful execution of Joint Force objectives.”
- Via SR Fact sheet
Why did the career field change from SOWT? How is it different?
The change was driven from Headquarters Air Force. They recognized the emerging requirements for the future battlespace. The biggest change is the focus on recce over weather. We no longer have any weather forecasting requirements and have been completely divested from the weather career field.
ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS
+ HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER RECON JOBS?
SR will serve to gain access for Air Force missions first. Our focus is on air to ground integrations in order to accomplish the mission.
+ **The difference in training compared to a PJ? **
PJ's are the best rescue force in the DOD and therefore focus on their tasks in a different way. Both AFSC's will go through the same selection and employment (dive, airborne, MFF) schools but then focus on their core tasks for the remainder of the pipeline.
+ **Will SR be clandestine focused? And will long range weapons be apart of the training? Such as Long range rifles. **
There will be a portion of the AFSC that is clandestine in nature. Long range shooting is one of the cornerstones of the career field.
+ **Is there a reserve option for SR? **
There are SR slots in the Guard. The old SOWT Guard slots are now SR slots.
+ How will SR conduct reconnaissance behind enemy lines with their own eyes or using drones?
Both.
+ **How do current SOWTs feel about the transition their career field is making? **
100% approval from what I can see.
+ Will there be SR Officers?
The new AF Spec War officers will oversee all of the Spec War AFSCs.
+ What is the pipeline like now?
See the SR Pipeline page here.
+ What will the role of an SR look like operationally?
SR will be the Recce and Surveillance subject matter experts within the Global Access mission.
+ I have read that the new mission set will include long range target interdiction, can you expand on what that will involve?
Long range target interdiction is shooting something/someone that is far away. SR training will involve reconnaissance, surveillance, and long range interdiction. Some of the stuff is sensitive and therefore cannot be discussed here.
+ I was told there would be 2 tracks; 1 like a recon sniper and another that was more of an intelligence agent role and you could choose between the two.
The two different tracks will be determined by an individuals' ability and aptitude.
+ What kinds of bases will SR be stationed?
This has not changed. The current Special Tactics Squadrons.
via SR Fact Sheet
What will the deployments be like?
This is a question that I’ve been asked hundreds of times by students coming through the pipelines. Deployments vary greatly based on a myriad of factors. Time, location and mission dictate how we are utilized. We might be in uniform or we might be in civilian clothes. We work with sister services and agencies and we also work as Air Force Teams. From my experience every deployment has been different and incredibly satisfying. Focus on training and being the best operator possible and the opportunities are endless.
History of SR
The U.S. Army Weather Service originated in 1917 to provide the American Expeditionary Forces with "all the meteorological information needed; and to undertake special investigations in military meteorology and related problems". They first took part in World War I combat operations in France in 1918, within the Army’s Signal Corps.
During World War II, specially trained weather observers, sometimes referred to as guerrilla weathermen, infiltrated behind enemy lines to provide intelligence in support of air strikes, airlifts and airdrops. In every conflict since Vietnam, special operations weathermen have participated in the majority of special operations missions, conducting austere environmental reconnaissance operations, and setting conditions critical to the success of follow-on forces.
On May 5, 2008, the Air Force approved the establishment of a new Air Force Specialty Code for Special Operations Weather Teams (SOWT), formally recognizing the requirement for a special reconnaissance capability, uniquely trained to conduct weather operations and to collect and analyze environmental reconnaissance. These operators have since been an integral part of Special Tactics able to conduct multi-domain reconnaissance and surveillance across the spectrum of conflict and crisis.
Beginning in 2016, Headquarters Air Force and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) recognized the need to look critically at the entire formation. Recognition of the Air Force’s challenges in an era of great power competition drove the evolution of Special Tactics teams.
On April 30, 2019, SOWT transitioned to Special Reconnaissance, expanding the capabilities and lethality of Air Force Special Tactics.SR will continue to maintain their application of lethal and non-lethal air-to-ground integration of airpower.Additionally, they will focus their primary skillset on reconnaissance – long cultivated within their community – into a multi-domain, tactical capability able to provide battlespace awareness, and generate effects of strategic and operational significance.
What is the significance of the SR abbreviation?
Lt Col Schroeder was a SOWT officer and the Squadron Commander of the 342nd Training Squadron.
“Schroeder, with complete disregard for his own safety, placed himself in direct danger to defend his first sergeant against an armed assailant. Schroeder’s gallant actions allowed the first sergeant to escape and to notify security forces, preventing additional loss of life. Schroeder was posthumously awarded the Airman’s Medal, which is given to those who distinguish themselves by heroic acts outside of combat.
On April 1, [2019] the Special Operations Weather Team career field transitioned into Special Reconnaissance, or SR, shifting their primary focus to reconnaissance capabilities brought to a Special Tactics team. “SR” is the operator-initials of Schroeder, an intentional renaming to memorialize a former leader.” - via Air Force Special Tactics
Something little known or interesting?
The guys that were SOWT’s have been moving into the SR realm for some time now. We currently have recce, surveillance, and sniper qualified guys doing good work overseas.
Are the training requirements for First Term Airmen or Prior Service different than SOWT?
None of the entrance requirements have changed.
Where can I find more information on becoming an SR?
Airforce.com, USAF Specops Recruiting, or USAF Special Reconnaissance, USAF Special Reconnaissance
thank you
A very special thank you to USAF Special Reconnaissance for providing all of this incredible information and taking the time to do an interview.