OA-1K Skyraider II Becomes US Air Force’s First Tailwheel Aircraft In 50+ Years
The U.S. Air Force is putting its newest battlefield asset, the OA-1K Skyraider II, through operational testing—signaling a strategic shift in how special operations forces get support. At Eglin Air Force Base, the 96th Test Wing is making sure this rugged, modular aircraft can deliver precision strikes, ISR, and close air support from austere airstrips where high-end jets simply can’t go.
The Skyraider II was purpose-built to back isolated units in remote environments while freeing up advanced aircraft for contested missions. Production is ramping up, with the first mission-ready aircraft delivered to AFSOC on April 4, 2025, and additional units headed to Will Rogers ANG Base. Lt. Gen. Michael Conley called the aircraft “a modular solution to our national security needs,” adding that it will “redefine how we approach joint campaigning, crisis response and the evolving landscape of modern warfare.”
Despite its vintage taildragger look, the Skyraider II is a high-tech workhorse. It can carry gravity bombs, guided missiles, and advanced targeting pods, designate targets for other aircraft, and conduct electronic intelligence missions. Pilots undergo special tailwheel training and joint exercises with Navy helicopters to master the low-and-slow coordination required in special ops missions.
With its combination of adaptability, low operating cost, and persistence, the Skyraider II gives AFSOC a flexible new tool for irregular warfare—filling critical gaps when sophisticated platforms are stretched thin and delivering support where it’s needed most.