The USAF Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) replaced the MH-53 Pave Low with the CV-22B Osprey variant which is equipped with extra fuel tanks, terrain-following radar and many advanced defensive electronic systems.
In September 2000, the first 2 CV-22 aircraft were delivered to Edwards AFB for testing. On August 2006, the first production aircraft were delivered to 58th SOW, Kirtland AFB, NM.
In November 2008, took place USAF first operational deployment when four CV-22B were sent to Mali during Exercise Flintlock. The Ospreys flew nonstop from their base at Hurlburt Field, Florida doing aerial refueling. 8th SOS (Special Operations Squadron) reached Initial Operational Capability on 16 March 2009.
In June 2009, 8th SOS flew humanitarian missions in Honduras and later that year performed a three-month deployment in Iraq.
On 9 April 2010, USAF CV-22B 06-0031 crashed near Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan, killing four.
On 13 June 2012, 8th SOS CV-22B 06-0032 crash on the Eglin Range, north of Navarre, Florida during a routine training mission, the five crew members aboard were taken to local area hospitals. A combat loss replacement aircraft was ordered the same month.
On January 2013, further 3 new CV-22 were ordered following by another 7 in June.
On 21 December 2013, three CV-22 Ospreys while attempting to evacuate US citizens from the town of Bor, South Sudan were hit by small-arms fire by rebel forces forcing them to diverted to Entebbe, Uganda.
In February 2019, 4 Ospreys visited for the first time DaNang Vietnam during second presidents Trump/ Kim summit
A total of 54 CV-22 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2021
On August 16, 2022 as part of a safety stand down AFSOC grounded its 52 CV-22B Osprey after two incidents of "hard clutch engagement" in the past six weeks
CV-22B Opsreys from 20th SOS were part of the Nacelle Improvement (NI) program.
In September 2000, the first 2 CV-22 aircraft were delivered to Edwards AFB for testing. On August 2006, the first production aircraft were delivered to 58th SOW, Kirtland AFB, NM.
In November 2008, took place USAF first operational deployment when four CV-22B were sent to Mali during Exercise Flintlock. The Ospreys flew nonstop from their base at Hurlburt Field, Florida doing aerial refueling. 8th SOS (Special Operations Squadron) reached Initial Operational Capability on 16 March 2009.
In June 2009, 8th SOS flew humanitarian missions in Honduras and later that year performed a three-month deployment in Iraq.
On 9 April 2010, USAF CV-22B 06-0031 crashed near Qalat, Zabul Province, Afghanistan, killing four.
On 13 June 2012, 8th SOS CV-22B 06-0032 crash on the Eglin Range, north of Navarre, Florida during a routine training mission, the five crew members aboard were taken to local area hospitals. A combat loss replacement aircraft was ordered the same month.
On January 2013, further 3 new CV-22 were ordered following by another 7 in June.
On 21 December 2013, three CV-22 Ospreys while attempting to evacuate US citizens from the town of Bor, South Sudan were hit by small-arms fire by rebel forces forcing them to diverted to Entebbe, Uganda.
In February 2019, 4 Ospreys visited for the first time DaNang Vietnam during second presidents Trump/ Kim summit
A total of 54 CV-22 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2021
On August 16, 2022 as part of a safety stand down AFSOC grounded its 52 CV-22B Osprey after two incidents of "hard clutch engagement" in the past six weeks
CV-22B Opsreys from 20th SOS were part of the Nacelle Improvement (NI) program.
The Bell Boeing CV-22 Osprey is the U.S. Air Force’s special operations variant of the V-22, combining vertical takeoff and landing with the speed and range of a turboprop aircraft. Operated primarily by the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, its core missions include long-range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces, often in hostile or denied environments, as well as personnel recovery and medical evacuation.
The CV-22 traces its origins to the broader V-22 Osprey program developed by Bell and Boeing in the 1980s to replace aging helicopter fleets with a platform capable of greater speed and endurance. It entered U.S. Air Force service in 2006 and has since been deployed extensively in operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other global theaters. Its ability to self-deploy over intercontinental distances with aerial refueling and operate from austere landing zones has made it a key asset for modern special operations missions.
Units |
| Years | Units | Base |
|---|---|---|
| 2019- | 21st SOS |  Kadena AFB |
| 2014- | 188 RQS | Kirtland AFB |
| 2013- | 7th SOS |  RAF Mildenhall |
| 2008- | 20th SOS | Cannon AFB Hurlburt Field |
| 2007- | 8th SOS | Hurlburt Field |
| 2007- | 413 FLTS | Eglin AFB Duke Field |
| 2006- | 71st SOS | Kirtland AFB |
|
Deployments