Exercise Southern Strike is an annual exercise that includes conventional and special operations personnel and units from around the country. The exercise is hosted by the Mississippi National Guard and takes place in areas on or near the Gulfport Combat Readiness Center and the Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Centers in Mississippi.
Air crews from Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) came from AC-130U, U-28, MC-130H, and CV-22 aircraft. The aircrews flew various training missions such as infiltration / exfiltration, high altitude low opening (HALO) parachute jumps, and live-fire air support to ground elements. Navy special operations forces on the ground were supported by the Air Commandos.
Source: “1st SOW completes training objectives for Southern Strike”, Hurlburt Field PAO, November 9, 2016.
