U.S Air Force Refines Plan for New Special Operations “Power Projection Wing” at Davis-Monthan

The U.S. Air Force has updated its strategy for the future of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona, transforming the 492nd Special Operations Wing into a new Power Projection Wing. The move comes as the base prepares to retire its long-serving A-10 aircraft and take on a more diverse special operations mission.

Updated Force Structure

Originally, the Air Force had planned to move multiple MC-130J Commando II squadrons and special tactics units to Davis-Monthan. After further review, however, those units will remain at their current locations. Instead, the new wing will feature:

• Two OA-1K Armed Overwatch squadrons, both relocating from Hurlburt Field in Florida.

• A CV-22 Osprey squadron and its maintenance unit, transferring from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.

• A new Theater Air Operations Squadron, created to enhance mission planning and support tailored to specific regions.

• A new Intelligence Squadron under Air Combat Command, which will activate at Davis-Monthan.

These changes emphasize strike, mobility, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and air-ground coordination — the full mission set of Air Force Special Operations Command.

Why the Changes?

Air Force leaders determined that keeping the MC-130J fleet distributed across existing locations would ensure greater operational effectiveness. In addition, relocating special tactics units was ruled out due to the high cost of building specialized facilities at Davis-Monthan, compared to the infrastructure already available elsewhere.

Timeline and Next Steps

The headquarters of the 492nd Special Operations Wing and three associated squadrons have already been cleared to begin moving to Davis-Monthan. The relocation of the second OA-1K squadron and the CV-22 squadron still requires environmental impact reviews, though much of the groundwork for those studies has already been completed. Officials expect the new wing to reach full operational capability by Fiscal Year 2028.

A-10 Retirement and Base Transition

Davis-Monthan is in the midst of bidding farewell to its iconic A-10 “Warthog” fleet. The first aircraft began departing for retirement in 2024, and the phased withdrawal is expected to continue into 2026. The Air Force has justified the retirement by pointing to the A-10’s limited survivability in modern high-threat environments, particularly in potential conflicts against near-peer adversaries such as China.

The shift to special operations represents not only a modernization effort but also a new chapter in the identity of Davis-Monthan, positioning the base as a hub for flexible, global special operations capabilities.

Local and Strategic Impact

Community leaders in Arizona have expressed both optimism and concern about the transition. While the move secures Davis-Monthan’s future with a new mission, questions remain about aircraft noise, environmental impact, and infrastructure requirements for incoming units like the CV-22.

For the Air Force, however, the decision reflects a balance between expanding special operations capabilities, controlling costs, and ensuring readiness for future contested environments. By 2028, Davis-Monthan will no longer be defined by its A-10 heritage but by its role in projecting specialized airpower across the globe.