SOF Roadshow inspires student pilots Published March 26, 2016 By Airman 1st Class John Day 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi was the first stop for the Special Operation Forces Undergraduate Pilot Training Base Roadshow March 21-25. Among the aircraft visiting were one CV-22 Osprey from the 9th Special Operations Squadron, Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, one MC-130J Commando II from the 522d Special Operations Squadron Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, and one AC-130U Spooky II from the 4th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida. The SOF Roadshow’s purpose was to visit each Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training base to connect with student pilots and to generate interest in flying for each aircraft in the Air Force Special Operations Command inventory. Each aircraft brought along a crew of Airmen in each positon of the aircraft to better communicate each mission set and to give student pilots a broader scope of what flying each aircraft would be like and what to expect. For the duration of their stay, the aircraft remained on static display for Airmen to visit with and interact with its crewmembers. There were also two briefings showcasing the AFSOC mission and history. “History makes you smart, heritage makes you proud,” said Maj. Eric Forsyth, AFSOC Commanders Action Group, Hurlburt Field, Florida. “We know our history here at AFSOC and we live our heritage.” Though not all aircraft were present, Airmen from nearly every aircraft in AFSOC were present to brief the mission and workflow of their respective platform. The SOF Roadshow visited Columbus AFB, Mississippi, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, and Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.