May 14, 2019

Col. Caleb Nimmo

Colonel Caleb M. Nimmo serves as the Commander of the 492d Special Operations Wing (SOW), co-located at Hurlburt Field and Duke Field, Florida, and Robins Air Force Base, Georgia. As commander, he leads the "Carpetbaggers" of the Fightin’ 492 SOW, the Air Force’s only Irregular Warfare wing executing Combat Aviation Advising and Non-Standard Aviation. The wing is also responsible for preparing Air Commandos for worldwide missions in support of joint and coalition special operations through training and education, innovation, development, and operational testing. Additionally, his units are responsible for mission qualification and continuation training in SOF aviation platforms to include AC-130J, AC-130U, AC-130W, MC-130H, MC-130J, CV-22, C-145, C-146, MQ-9, U-28A, C-208, small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) and the A-29.

May 16, 2019

Col. Matthew May

Colonel Matthew L. W. May is the Vice Commander, 492d Special Operations Wing (SOW) located at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The 492 SOW is the Air Force’s only Irregular Warfare wing employing Combat Aviation Advisors and Non-Standard Aviation worldwide in support of national and theater-level strategic objectives. The 492 SOW is additionally responsible for the training and education of Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel, innovation, development, and operational testing in support of Air Force Special Operations Command. His units are tasked with the mission qualification training and continuation training in SOF aviation platforms to include AC-130J, AC-130U, AC-130W, MC-130H, MC-130J, CV-22, C-145, C-146, MQ-9, U-28A and small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS). With an annual budget of $120 million, the 492 SOW manages and utilizes state-of-the-art simulators valued at over $400 million, develops and implements cutting-edge curriculum, and develops world-class Combat Aviation Advisors to meet the command’s operational and training requirements.

Aug 5, 2020

Chief Master Sgt. Nick Kurpier

Chief Master Sergeant Nick N. Kurpier serves as Command Chief, 492d Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field, Florida. He is the principal advisor to the Commander on all matters of morale, welfare, readiness, professional development and operational utilization of the enlisted force. The 492 SOW is the Air Force’s only Irregular Warfare wing employing Combat Aviation Advisors and Non-Standard Aviation worldwide in support of national and theater-level strategic objectives. The Wing is additionally responsible for the training and education of Special Operations Forces (SOF) personnel, innovation, development, and operational testing in support of Air Force Special Operations Command. His units are tasked with the mission qualification training and continuation training in SOF aviation platforms to include AC-130J/U/W, MC-130H/J, CV-22, C-145, C-146, MQ-9, U-28A and small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS). With an annual budget of $120 million, the Wing manages and utilizes state-of-the-art simulators valued at over $400 million, develops and implements cutting-edge curriculum, and develops world-class Combat Aviation Advisors to meet the command’s operational and training requirements.