Jumping in to our 5th Special Air Warfare Symposium

This blog is part of a series about the 2026 Special Air Warfare Symposium, taking place in Ft. Walton Beach, FL, from 10 – 12 FEB 2026.

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The 2026 Special Air Warfare Symposium (better known as SAWS—you know we love our abbrevs) is officially underway! We are back in beautiful Ft. Walton Beach, FL, the hub of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), gathering the community for three days of vital discussion, networking, and industry-to-government connection.

After a fun brush with a potential government shutdown, we are thrilled that the event is proceeding as scheduled with maximum participation. 

How good is that participation? The easiest way to share that is through our final SITREP, which GSOF CEO and President Stu Bradin sends out to senior SOF leaders prior to the event kick off:

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SITREP SNAPSHOT:

KEY FEATURES

• Sold-Out Exhibit Hall: 62 exhibitors and 13 sponsors
• SOF Solutions Stage: 18 short presentations in the Exhibit Hall designed to showcase critical capabilities
• Accelerator Alley: 11 startups showcasing non-traditional solutions
• Classified Capability Brief: A restricted session allowing 150 industry partners to hear directly from AFSOC on their most pressing requirements
• SOF for Life: Career transition and family support programming specifically designed for transitioning service members and their spouses
• SOF Community Corridor: Direct engagement with local non-profits dedicated to supporting the families of our quiet professionals

SPEAKERS

• Mr. Jim Ruocco: Acting Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of War for Acquisition, Department of War
• Lieutenant General Michael E. Conley: Commander, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command
• Chief Master Sergeant Courtney C. Freeman: Command Chief Master Sergeant, Air Force Special Operations Command
• Lieutenant General David A. Harris: Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures, United States Air Force
• Lieutenant General (Ret.) Scott A. Howell: Former Commander, Joint Special Operations Command
• Lieutenant General (Ret.) Kirk Smith: Senior Consultant, Pentacle
• Ms. Melissa Johnson: Acquisition Executive, U.S. Special Operations Command
• Major General (Ret.) Mark “Droopy” Clark: Former Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Special Operations Command
• Brigadier General Terence G. Taylor: Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Joint Special Operations Command
• Brigadier General William C. Freeman: Director of Operations, Air Force Special Operations Command
• Brigadier General Craig D. Prather: Director, Strategic Plans, Programs and Requirements, U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command
• Colonel Roger P. Waleski Jr.: Commander, U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command

• Colonel Stewart Parker: Commander, 353d Special Operations Wing
• Colonel Justin T. Bronder: PEO Fixed Wing, U.S. Special Operations Command
• Commander Robert Brovdi: Commander of Unmanned Systems, Armed Forces of Ukraine
• Ms. Catherine H. Schweitzer: Policy Advisor, U.S. Special Operations Command
• Mr. Derek S. Maltz: Former Acting DEA Administrator
• Mr. Ed Calderon: Security Consultant
• Dr. Kerry Chávez: Assistant Professor of the Department of Military and Strategic Studies, U.S. Air Force Academy; Co-director for Airpower, Irregular Warfare Initiative
• Dr. Michael Hochberg: President, Periplous, LLC
• Mr. Matthew Parsons: Senior Business Developer, Harmattan AI
• Mr. Edward Spenceley: Senior Vice President, National Government Contracting Executive, Bank of America
• Mr. Isaiah Taylor: CEO & Founder, Valar Atomics
• Mr. Robert L. Zackery III: President, Primer Development Group, LLC

INTERNATIONAL PARTICIPATION

1. Brazil – including GSOF Hosted Delegate
2. Canada
3. Chile – including GSOF Hosted Delegate
4. Colombia
5. Czech Republic
6. France
7. Germany
8. Greece
9. Honduras
10. India
11. Indonesia
12. Italy
13. Japan
14. Kenya
15. Latvia
16. Lithuania
17. Netherlands
18. Norway
19. Poland
20. Republic of Korea
21. Romania
22. Singapore
23. Slovakia
24. Spain
25. Ukraine – including GSOF Hosted Delegates
26. United Kingdom
27. United States of America

EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS

Exhibitors

1. AAR Mobility Systems
2. American Technology Network
3. Ametrine
4. Anduril Industries
5. Applied Systems Engineering
6. Atlantic Signal
7. Babel Street
8. BAE Systems
9. Bank of America
10. Bren-Tronics
11. Cornell University
12. Darley
13. Domo tactical Communications
14. DTS
15. Dzyne Technologies
16. Echodyne
17. Encompass 
18. Epiq Solutions
19. Gemstar Manufacturing
20. Glenair
21. Hascall-Denke
22. Highland Engineering
23. iDirect Government
24. Ierus Technologies
25. IMSAR LLC
26. Instant Connect Software
27. Integration Innovation, Inc. (i3)
28. Intelligent Devices
29. Kihomac
30. L3Harris
31. Lockheed Martin
32. Motorola Solutions
33. Nutanix
34. NV5
35. Omni-Federal
36. Onebrief
37. Otto
38. Overwatch Imaging
39. Penlink
40. Phantom Products
41. Pivotal Aero
42. Pixels on Target
43. Rampart Communications
44. REDCOM
45. RE-liON
46. Renegade UxS
47. Sherpa 6
48. Silvus Technologies
49. Somewear Labs
50. StartGuides
51. TEA Headsets
52. Textron Aviation Special Missions
53. TheIncLab
54. Trac9
55. Trellisware
56. UHU Technologies
57. USUL
58. Viasat
59. Vigilint
60. World Wide Technology
61. ZMicro
62. Beacon AI

See the full list online

SOF Solutions Stage

The SOF Solutions Stage is a new feature inside the 2026 SAWS Exhibit Hall, offering industry and innovators a limited number of short, high-impact 10-minute promotional presentations delivered by a single presenter. Designed to give solution providers a focused platform to highlight capabilities, the SOF Solutions Stage is positioned between general session blocks to maximize traffic, visibility, and engagement.

1. Omni Federal
2. Viasat
3. Connectium Technologies
4. L3Harris
5. Silvus Technologies
6. Gelnair
7. Accrete AI
8. Teledyne
9. Babel Street
10. Zignal Labs
11. Ametrine
12. Trac9
13. Pivotal Aero
14. Sherpa 6
15. Regent Craft
16. Lockheed Martin
17. NV5 Geospatial
18. KOR Technik

Accelerator Alley

Accelerator Alley provides a unique opportunity for small businesses and startups to enter the special operations market. This program is designed for companies with fewer than 250 employees and little to no current SOF sales.

1. AZAK
2. Chariot Defense
3. SPACECOM
4. Ci-pher
5. Sorcerer
6. Pryon Inc
7. Roke USA
8. Kinnami Software Corporation
9. Orkid Tech
10. Paratus AI
11. Lastwall
12. Gambit Defense

Sponsors

1. Merlin Labs – SOF Supporter 
2. Vannevar Labs – SOF Champion
3. Accrete AI – SOF Advocate 
4. TheIncLab – Lanyards
5. Viasat – Registration / Networking Reception / Networking Reception Signature Cocktail        
6. Lockheed Martin – SOF Advocate 
7. Bank of America – SOF Champion
8. Skydio – Coffee / Closing Reception / Closing Reception Cocktail
9. Phoenix Global – Mobile App
10. WWT – Energy Station
11. General Dynamics Mission Systems-Signage 
12. Berry Aviation – SOF Supporter
13. L3Harris – Networking Reception

The turnout for this event is incredible, proving once again that SAWS is the gathering point for aviation-focused SOF.

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Setting and Taking the Stage

Before the main stage lights went up on Wednesday there was already plenty of action happening behind and in front of the scenes on Tuesday, 10 FEB.

Over 900 attendees took the opportunity to check in and get their badges, strolling past the impressively-straightly-eyeballed-and-hung #SAWS2026 adorning the walls outside and confirming that they were in the right place.

The Classified Session was a huge hit, both in popularity and impact. It focused heavily on AFSOC’s requirements from industry and filled the room to capacity—a testament to the great teamwork between GSOF and AFSOC to get it done and to get the right people in the room.

Simultaneously, our committees were hard at work. 

During the Aviation and ISR Committee Meeting, our GSOF Lead Christina Powell noted that GSOF has increased committee involvement year over year. As AC Coley from Spathe Systems put it, “you can’t find this level of engagement anywhere else”.

Over in the Governing Committee Meeting, the energy was just as high. Our GSOF Lead, Joe Fitterer, expertly led the conversation from his virtual perch, highlighting the value of collaboration. As Nick Sadoski from Navigators Global said, “It’s important that we’re discussing bringing all of the Committee Chairs and Governing Reps together… We can really make things happen”.

We also saw SOF for Life Seminars in full swing, with GSOF’s SOF for Life Manager Surita Rorie leading sessions focused on supporting the transition from active service to civilian careers. The room was packed for these sessions, which puts an emphasis on the importance of supplementary transition content, above what the government provides.

In addition to all of these sessions and meetings, the Convention Center was absolutely buzzing from morning till late afternoon.

As one attendee said as he walked out of the badging area, “Well, I already saw way more people I knew than I expected.” 

The sessions and meetings are important, but nothing trumps the conversations that occur in the halls, booths, and networking events!

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A Sunset Welcome

We wrapped up the prep work with our Welcome Reception. Despite some elevator-related challenges (it wouldn’t be a GSOF event without a little logistical adventure), we had an amazing turnout.

The earliest attendees were treated to a beautiful Florida sunset over the white sand beach and crystal waters of the panhandle.

Better yet, they were treated to tons of opportunities to meet with fellow attendees over a beverage and some local cuisine.

Our international partnerships truly shone brightly at the Welcome Reception, with most representatives from the nearly 30 attending nations mingling with the crowd. We were especially excited to meet with our 4 GSOF Hosted Delegates from Brazil, Chile, and Ukraine. It’s always an honor to be able to enable our partner nations to join us for these important conversations.

We’re looking forward to what the rest of the week brings… tune back in to hear more about what happens at SAWS once we actually officially get started!