Hegseth Orders Florida Guard Special Tactics Squadron

Pete Hegseth has directed the Air Force to establish a Florida Air National Guard Special Tactics Squadron, with units at Hurlburt Field and MacDill Air Force Base to improve coordination with Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Commands. The squadron will focus on combat control, pararescue and special reconnaissance, expanding the National Guard’s special operations capabilities. Funding for staffing, equipment and construction is expected to be addressed in the fiscal year 2028 budget process; the Pentagon has not said how many personnel will be assigned or when the unit will begin operating.