Joint Base San Antonio > News

Special Warfare Training Wing hosts cadets from 42 detachments for Air Force Special Warfare themed competition
November 14, 2024 — The Special Warfare Training Wing hosted 113 cadets from 42 detachments across the United States for an Air Force Special Warfare themed immersion and competition on Nov. 1-2, 2024. The Invitational gave an opportunity for AFROTC cadets to participate in AFSPECWAR-themed challenges and teambuilding events, designed to foster leadership, camaraderie and increase awareness of AFSPECWAR career fields... MORE

AFROTC cadets move a simulated patient into the bed of a truck

Special Warfare Training Wing hosts recruiter immersion
September 3, 2024 — The Special Warfare Training Wing hosted an immersion for total force recruiters at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex, Texas, on July 22, 2024... MORE

A strength coach speaks to a group of Air Force recruiters

Special Warfare Training Wing Airman wins Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
May 2, 2024 — U.S. Air Force Capt. Marc Esposito, 350th Special Warfare Training Squadron flight commander, was presented with the Lance P. Sijan Award at the Pentagon on April 8, 2024... MORE

A man hands a plaque to another, the two alongside another man on the right pose for a portrait

Special Warfare Training Wing unveils Maltz Special Warfare Aquatic Training Center
April 8, 2024 — The Special Warfare Training Wing hosted the grand opening of the Maltz Special Warfare Aquatic Training Center at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex, on April 2, 2024... MORE

Instructors and trainees prepare to enter the water as bystanders watch.

Special Warfare Training Wing: Five years of advancing ground combat forces training
October 19, 2023 — Five years ago, the U.S. Air Force took a significant leap forward in combat preparedness by establishing the Special Warfare Training Wing, or SWTW, an evolution that addressed decades of training shortfalls and operational demands... MORE

Special Warfare Training Wing | What is Assessment & Selection?
August 28, 2023 — Air Force Special Warfare Guardian Angel and Special Tactics (GA/ST) operators, comprised of pararescuemen, combat controllers, special reconnaissance Airmen, special tactics officers and combat rescue officers, don’t just sign the dotted line and show up for work on the first day. To earn their beret, candidates must be selected into their career fields before continuing on to career-specific courses and training... MORE

Airmen in full gear and helmets lift heavy log up a sandy hill as a team

Remembering fallen Airmen through training
June 12, 2023 — Remembering fallen operators is an integral part of training within the Special Warfare Training Wing, a wing tasked with the critical mission of assessing, selecting and developing ground combat forces that specialize in global access, precision strike and personnel recovery, all crucial mission sets in the age of strategic competition... MORE

Special tactics operators conduct push ups to honor the fallen

Special Warfare Training Wing: Preparing for strategic competition
April 26, 2023 — We consistently talk about the future fight and preparing for strategic competition. This is by design, with the singular purpose of defending our nation against any who would test our resolve. The character of war is constantly changing, yet its fundamental nature remains the same. Special Warfare Airmen and operators must be prepared to face the harsh nature of war and be ready to master its new character... MORE

Coach demonstrates workout with weight over his head in front of group of students in the rain

Special Warfare candidates complete obstacle course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland
April 17, 2023 — Grit, bravery, and determination – some of the requirements of a special warfare candidate. Candidates recently maneuvered as teams through an obstacle course during the Special Warfare Training Wing Assessment & Selection Course at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland March 14-15, 2023... MORE

Five things you didn’t know about athletic trainers in the Special Warfare Training Wing
March 21, 2023 — Special Warfare candidates train to meet the high physical standards required of Air Force Special Warfare operators, which is why the Special Warfare Training Wing staff at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland includes a team of athletic trainers to diagnose and manage the injuries that occur within the wing’s rigorous training pipelines... MORE

Athletic Trainer watches as candidates complete a round of pull-ups outdoors

Special Warfare Training Wing hosts Lightning Challenge 2022
November 8, 2022 — The Special Warfare Training Wing hosted Lightning Challenge 2022, an annual, service-level tactical air control party competition to identify the best TACP Airmen in the AF Nov. 3-4, 2022 at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland and Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis... MORE

A Tactical Air Control Party Airman disassembles and assembles a M-240 machine gun during Lightning Challenge 2022, at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Annex, Texas, Nov. 3, 2022. The Lightning Challenge is an annual service-level TACP competition to identify the best TACP Airmen in the Air Force.

First Air Force Combat Dive Course graduates to receive new Air Force combat diver badge upon graduation
October 24, 2022 — Graduates of the Air Force Combat Dive Course, Class 22-6, are the first to receive the new Air Force combat dive badge upon graduation Oct. 20. For Class 22-6, earning the Air Force Combat Dive Badge is the culmination of six weeks of rigorous work at the AFCDC but for members of the Special Warfare Training Wing who designed the new badge, this is the culmination of more than two years of work. ... MORE

Newly authorized Air Force Combat Dive Supervisor and Diver pins issued for the first time, Oct. 20.

Special Warfare Training Wing command team holds first all call
September 29, 2022 — U.S. Air Force Col. Nathan Colunga, Special Warfare Training Wing commander, and Command Chief Master Sgt. Tessa Fontaine, SWTW command chief, held an SWTW all-call at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland Sept. 27, 2022, where they outlined their expectations and priorities for the wing... MORE

U.S. Air Force Col. Nathan Colunga, Special Warfare Training Wing commander, addresses the audience at the SWTW all-call on Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, Sept. 27, 2022. At the all-call, the SWTW command team outlined its expectations and priorities for the wing.

Special Warfare Training Wing members collaborate with Colombian Special Air Commands delegation
July 27, 2022 — A delegation of Colombian Special Air Commands leaders visited the Special Warfare Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex for an immersion into the various Air Force Special Warfare pipelines July 25, 2022... MORE

A delegation of Colombian Special Air Commands leaders observe Special Warfare Training Wing trainees conduct water confidence training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, July. 25, 2022. The delegation visited the Special Warfare Training Wing for an immersion into the various Air Force Special Warfare career fields and pipelines.

Special Warfare Operational Medicine Squadron holds change of command
July 18, 2022 — Lt. Col. Gary D'Orazio took over the Special Warfare Operational Medicine Squadron commander during a change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex, Texas, July 15, 2022... MORE

U.S. Air Force Col. George Buse (left), Special Warfare Human Performance Support Group commander and presiding officer, passes the guidon to Lt. Col. Gary D'Orazio (right), incoming Special Warfare Operational Medicine Squadron commander, during the SWOMS change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex, Texas, July 15, 2022.

Special Warfare Training Wing physical medicine technician embeds with NASA
July 14, 2022 — From advancing force development of future Air Force Special Warfare Airmen to working with astronauts, life has been far from boring for the SWTW’s Staff Sgt. Emily Valdovinos. Valdovinos was hand-selected to assist the NASA Astronaut Strength, Conditioning and Rehab Group to help develop personalized strength, conditioning, and rehabilitative plans for NASA astronauts with Crew-3 after they returned from the International Space Station for their 45-day reconditioning period. ... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Emily Valdovinos (far center), Special Warfare Human Performance Squadron physical medicine technician, works with Maj. Nichole Ayers (near center), NASA astronaut candidate, on routine mobility exercises at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, Jun. 16, 2022. Valdovinos was hand-selected by the NASA Astronaut Strength, Conditioning and Rehab Group to help develop personalized strength, conditioning, and rehabilitative plans for NASA astronauts.

Special Warfare Training Wing welcomes new commander
July 12, 2022 — Col. Nathan Colunga assumed command of the Special Warfare Training Wing during a change of command ceremony at the Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex July 11... MORE

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michele Edmondson (left), 2nd Air Force commander and presiding officer, passes the guidon to Col. Nathan Colunga (middle), incoming Special Warfare Training Wing commander, during the SWTW change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex, Texas, July 11, 2022. At right is Col. Mason Dula, outgoing SWTW commander.

AETC’s chief learning officer visits SWTW, observes human performance training
April 22, 2022 — Dr. Wendy Walsh, Air Education and Training Command chief learning officer, visited the Special Warfare Training Wing for an immersion tour at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex April 4-5... MORE

Dr. Wendy Walsh (center), Air Education and Training Command chief learning officer, executes a reaction time training exercise as Maj. Jessica Carpenter (left), Special Warfare Human Performance Squadron conditioning flight commander, watches at the Special Warfare Training Wing Human Performance Training Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex, Texas, April 5, 2022. Walsh and her team participated in an immersion tour of the SWTW to learn about how the SWTW builds Air Force Special Warfare Airmen and prepares them for combat.

Special Warfare Training Wing holds memorial rededication ceremony
April 20, 2022 — The Special Warfare Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Chapman Training Annex and echelon units hosted a 2 1/2 mile ruck April 8, followed by memorial pushups and the unveiling of refitted memorials for fallen Air Force Special Warfare Airmen Lt. Col. William Schroeder and Staff Sgt. Scott Sather in coordination with Gold Star families... MORE

Special Warfare Airmen and leaders participate in the Special Warfare Training Wing and subordinate echelons rededication ceremony in honor of U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. William Schroeder and U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Scott Sather at the SWTW training compound Joint Base San Antonio, Chapman Training Annex, Apr. 8, 2022. The wing hosted a two and one-half mile ruck march followed by Memorial pushups and the unveiling of refitted memorials in coordination with Gold Star families. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Boisvert)

U.S. Special Operations Command Korea Command Senior Enlisted Leader visits Special Warfare Training Wing
March 21, 2022 — U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major JoAnn Naumann, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Special Operations Command Korea, visited the Special Warfare Training Wing March 16 to mentor NCOs and observe the SWTW Assessment and Selection process... MORE

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. JoAnn Naumann, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. Special Operations Command, Korea (right) speaks with U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael Perolio, Special Warfare Training Flight Superintendent, (left) about the Assessment and Selection process for Air Force Special Warefare candidates at Joint Base San Anotnio, TX, Mar. 16, 2022. Naumann visited the area to mentor the NCOs and observe the SWTW Assessment and Selection process. (U.S. Air Force photo by Brian Boisvert)