AFP has a long and close relationship with U.S. special operations, and AFSOC in particular, as several of our team have flown these aircraft for the command.
Satellite images emerging online show at least five MC-130J Commando II multi-mission combat transport planes are now at Rafael Hernandez International Airport (RHIA) in Puerto Rico. The Commando IIs appear to have arrived on Dec. 17. There are at least nine Air Force Special Operations Command CV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft there as well, according to a recording of air traffic control conversations shared with The War Zone. The presence of the Ospreys was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Armed Forces Press reported on the presence of the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.
A combination of AFSCO and JSOC-utilized specialized aircraft have been confirmed deployed to the theater. TWZ has a good write-up here on capabilities.
The mission set for these aircraft includes insertion and extraction of SOF ground forces, along with CSAR, fire support, and electronic warfare support and surveillance.
The presence of SOF aircraft should pressure the Maduro regime to be worried about high-value target direct action missions for capture or kill.
The forces gathered could also support conventional action against targets in the region with capabilities such as combat search and rescue for fighter/bomber aircraft.
The pressure on Venezuela also pressures the Cuban regime, which depends on Venezuelan oil and other support