Global Special Operations Forces Foundation – Armed Overwatch

Photo: Senior Airman Hussein Enaya / U.S. Air Force · DVIDS
The appearance of U.S. Department of War (DoW) visual information does not imply or constitute DoW endorsement.

Issue

Special operations forces faced a critical capability gap in armed overwatch, and the existing options were ineffective in both cost and availability. Our objective was to close that gap in a way that would deliver meaningful benefit to warfighters on the battlefield.

Process

Working alongside educational efforts led by the Global Special Operations Forces Foundation, the association of record for the global special operations community, Navigators engaged Congress to establish U.S. Special Operations Command’s Armed Overwatch program as an official, congressionally funded Program of Record.

The effort began by clearly defining the capability gap facing special operations forces and conveying that need to policymakers from the ground up. It also required navigating competing priorities within the Department of Defense regarding the program. Our role was never to advocate for a particular platform. Over several years, we built the case that a dedicated armed overwatch aircraft would significantly benefit our warfighters on the battlefield.

Result

In 2022, U.S. Special Operations Command awarded a contract worth up to $3 billion for up to 75 aircraft. The OA-1K Skyraider II entered operational service with Air Force Special Operations Command in 2025.