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Twenty-Third Air Force (Air Forces Special Operations Forces)
Shield of the Twenty-Third Air Force
Active	1 January 2008 – 4 April 2013 (5 years, 3 months)
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Numbered Air Force
Role	Special Operations
Part of	Air Force Special Operations Command U.S. Special Operations Command

The Twenty-Third Air Force (Air Forces Special Operations Forces) was a Numbered Air Force that was assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command. It was stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida and was active from 1 January 2008 until 4 April 2013. It served as the operational headquarters for Air Force special operations forces assigned to joint and combined commands. Starting in 2012, it transferred operational control of some of its units to other headquarters; its remaining functions were assumed by the Air Force Special Operations Command Air Operations Center when it was inactivated the following year.

History

On 1 January 2008, Twenty-Third Air Force was established at Hurlburt Field as Air Force Special Operations Command's only Numbered Air Force with responsibility for Air Force Special Operations Forces. It was established as the headquarters to execute Air Force Special Operations Command missions supporting United States Special Operations Command.

The mission of Twenty-Third Air Force was to provide special operations forces to deployed air commanders. Its mission was to monitor and control global special operations activity to senior leaders; providing trained special operations command and control, intelligence, and weather support elements to theater special operations commanders and executing command and control for air, space and cyberspace operations supporting United States Special Operations Command.

Its 623rd Air and Space Operations Center included personnel and equipment to form joint special operations air components, responsible for planning and executing joint special operations air activities. and integrating special operations with conventional air operations. The 23rd Weather Squadron provided global weather coverage for Joint, Army, and Air Force special operations missions. The 11th Intelligence Squadron created intelligence products tailored for special operations missions. Finally, the 18th Flight Test Squadron evaluated aircraft, equipment, and tactics to assess their mission capability.

Upon its inactivation its mission was transferred to its subordinate 623rd Air Operations Center, which was reassigned to Air Force Special Operations Command and renamed the Air Force Special Operations Command Operations Center.

Lineage

• Established as Twenty-Third Air Force (Air Force Special Operations Forces) on 30 November 2007

Activated on 1 January 2008

Inactivated on 4 April 2013

Assignments

• Air Force Special Operations Command, 1 January 2008 – 4 April 2013

Components

• 623rd Air and Space Operations Center (later 623rd Air Operations Center), 1 January 2008 – 4 April 2013
• 23rd Weather Squadron, 1 January 2008 – 28 March 2013 (attached to 1st Special Operations Group after 31 July 2012)
• 11th Intelligence Squadron, 1 January 2008 – 31 July 2012
• 18th Flight Test Squadron, 1 January 2008 – 12 February 2013

Stations

• Hurlburt Field, Florida, 1 January 2008 – 4 April 2013

List of commanders

This list is incomplete; you can help by adding missing items. (August 2022)

No.	Commander		Term
	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Term length
1		Callan, Michael W.Brigadier General Michael W. Callan	1 January 2008	14 July 2008	195 days
2		Trask, Thomas J.Brigadier General Thomas J. Trask	14 July 2008	7 January 2009	177 days
3		Haddad, Richard S.Brigadier General Richard S. Haddad	7 January 2009	3 April 2009	86 days
4		Webb, Marshall B.Brigadier General Marshall B. Webb	3 April 2009	June 2010	c. 1 year, 73 days
5		Williams, George F.Brigadier General George F. Williams	April 2010	August 2010	c. 122 days
?		Leahy, Timothy J.Brigadier General Timothy J. Leahy	August 2012	4 April 2013	c. 232 days

Notes

1. Approved 27 December 2007

References

1. ^ Kane, Robert B. (30 June 2009). "Twenty-Third Air Force (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
2. ^ "Twenty-Third Air Force". Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. 17 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 February 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
3. ^ "23rd AF deactivates [sic]". Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. 5 April 2013. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
4. Robertson, Patsy (5 September 2013). "Factsheet 23d Special Operations Weather Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2017.
5. Dollman, TSG David (21 October 2016). "Factsheet 11th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
6. Robertson, Patsy (22 April 2008). "Factsheet 18 Flight Test Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
7. Sanchez, Raquel (12 February 2013). "AFSOC stands up Air Warfare Center". Air Force Special Operations Command Public Affairs. Retrieved 30 October 2017.
8. "Lieutenant General Marshall B. 'Brad' Webb". United States Air Force. September 2021. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
9. "Brigadier General George F. Williams". United States Air Force. March 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
10. "Major General Timothy J. Leahy". United States Air Force. July 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2023.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

External links

• Heritage of the Special Operations Professionals

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