Air Force Special Oper
ations Command formally transferred the flag of the 16th Special Operations Squadron from Hurlburt Field, Fla., to the unit’s new home at Cannon AFB, N.M., on June 19. As we reported in May, the first two of the 16th SOS’s AC-130H Spectre gunships arrived at Cannon in mid-May. The Clovis News Journal reports that, during the Friday ceremony, AFSOC boss Lt. Gen. Donald Wurster commented on the effect of the AC-130H Spectre in battle, saying its arrival is “a game-changer. If you’re a good guy, you will win. If you are a bad guy, you will perish. It’s as simple as that.” Lt. Col. Sean Farrell said the 16th SOS will receive its remaining Spectres over the summer and into the early fall. AFSOC expects to complete final personnel moves by the end of November from Hurlburt, which now serves as the detachment for the 16th SOS. (Cannon report by Capt. Mae-Li Allison)
China thinks it will be able to invade Taiwan by 2027 and has developed a technology edge in many key areas—but it is artificial intelligence that may be the decisive factor should conflict erupt, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.