In April 1961, the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron was activated at Hurlburt Field, Florida, to train US Air Force aircrews in the varied and difficult skills of special air operations.

Because of the increasing emphasis on counter-insurgency (COIN) operations brought on by the conflict in South East Asia, the concept grew from a training squadron to a numbered Air Force equivalent headquarters with two wings and a Special Operations School. Designated the USAF Special Operations Force (USAF SOF), this unit of the Tactical Air Command is responsible for training US aircrews for special air operations in counterinsurgency. Over ten different types of COIN aircraft are used in these tasks, from the multi-mission C-47 with nearly 35 years of continuous civil and military service to the newest aircraft capable of COIN operations, the OV-10A. Some of these aircraft are performing in conventional air operations such as the tactical air support mission of the forward air controller. All have COIN capabilities which have been used or are available for special air operations.