The 1st Special Operations Wing (1st SOW) is one of five active-duty special operations wings in the Air Force. It operates iconic aircraft like the AC-130J Ghostrider, CV-22B Osprey, and MQ-9 Reaper. The need for a special category of United States Air Force operations became apparent in the Cold War, and today, the 1st SOW is one of the Air Force’s specialized wings designed to carry out close air support, conduct ISR missions, perform combat rescue missions, and more.