Special Air Warfare Symposium Matchmaking

-As shared by Katie Bilek

For those who work in the special operations community, Global SOF Foundation‘s annual Special Air Warfare Symposium (SAWS), co-sponsored by U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) in Fort Walton Beach, FL, is a can’t-miss event.

I recall my first SAWS event in February 2022. The Russian invasion of Ukraine had just commenced, and the tone of the event was markedly intentional and forward-leaning. Attendees included representatives from government and industry, both US and foreign allied partners. Unsurprisingly, the symposium topics revolved around the future of air warfare for the aviation-focused SOF.

With each passing year, the geopolitical landscape has evolved, and attendance has grown. Yet the emphasis on envisioning the future of air combat continues to permeate SAWS.  At govmates, we’re grateful for the opportunity to host matchmaking sessions at SAWS each year – facilitating 1:1 sessions between industry and government.

During SAWS Matchmaking 2024, govmates facilitated over 150 1:1 sessions for participants, including multiple divisions with AFSOC, SOCOM and for allied and partner nations. Large defense prime and systems integrators also participated, including Boeing, Aurora Flight Sciences, American Systems, Honeywell, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and more.

Requirements requested by the buyer organizations included intelligence analysis, intelligence operations, intelligence support, C5ISR, ISR integration, ISR operations; communications, Electronic Warfare, Navigation, Networks, UAV, UAS, Air Mobility, data links, CBM; Counter-UAS, C2/C4ISR, and tactical radios; Engineering, Fabrication, 3D Metal Printing, 5-axis CNC Machining; Training; modeling and simulation; loitering munitions, and more.

If you missed SAWS Matchmaking in Fort Walton Beach, then be sure to join us for SOF Week Matchmaking in Tampa on May 8.