1st Special Operations Wing - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

The 1st Special Operations Wing (1st SOW) at Hurlburt Field

Hurlburt Field

Hurlburt Field is a U.S. Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation, and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command , the 1st Special Operations Wing , the...

, Florida is one of two United States Air Force

United States Air Force

The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...

active duty Special Operations wings and falls under the Air Force Special Operations Command

Air Force Special Operations Command

Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...

(AFSOC).

The 1st Special Operations Wing is a successor organization of the 16th Pursuit Group, one of the 15 original combat air groups formed by the Army before World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

Overview

The 1st SOW mission focus is unconventional warfare

Unconventional warfare

Unconventional warfare is the opposite of conventional warfare. Where conventional warfare is used to reduce an opponent's military capability, unconventional warfare is an attempt to achieve military victory through acquiescence, capitulation, or clandestine support for one side of an existing...

: counter-terrorism

Counter-terrorism

Counter-terrorism is the practices, tactics, techniques, and strategies that governments, militaries, police departments and corporations adopt to prevent or in response to terrorist threats and/or acts, both real and imputed.The tactic of terrorism is available to insurgents and governments...

, combat search and rescue

Combat search and rescue

Combat search and rescue are search and rescue operations that are carried out during war that are within or near combat zones.A CSAR mission may be carried out by a task force of helicopters, ground-attack aircraft, tankers and an airborne command post...

, personnel recovery, psychological operations

Psychological warfare

Psychological warfare , or the basic aspects of modern psychological operations , have been known by many other names or terms, including Psy Ops, Political Warfare, “Hearts and Minds,” and Propaganda...

, aviation assistance to developing nations

Developing country

A developing country, also known as a less-developed country, is a nation with a low level of material well-being. Since no single definition of the term developing country is recognized internationally, the levels of development may vary widely within so-called developing countries...

, "deep battlefield" resupply, interdiction

Air interdiction

Air interdiction is the use of aircraft to attack tactical ground targets that are not in close proximity to friendly ground forces. It differs from close air support because it does not directly support ground operations and is not closely coordinated with ground units...

and close air support

Close air support

In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...

. The wing has units located at Hurlburt Field

Hurlburt Field

, Florida, Eglin Air Force Base

Eglin Air Force Base

Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....

, Florida, and Nellis Air Force Base

Nellis Air Force Base

Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...

, Nevada

Nevada

Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...

.

The wing's core missions include aerospace surface interface, agile combat support, combat aviation advisory operations, information operations, personnel recovery/recovery operations, precision aerospace fires, psychological operations dissemination, specialized aerospace mobility and specialized aerial refueling.

The 1st SOW also serves as a pivotal component of AFSOC's ability to provide and conduct special operations missions ranging from precision application of firepower to infiltration

Infiltration tactics

In warfare, infiltration tactics involve small, lightly equipped infantry forces attacking enemy rear areas while bypassing enemy front line strongpoints and isolating them for attack by follow-up troops with heavier weapons.-Development during World War I:...

, exfiltration, resupply and refueling of special operations force operational elements. In addition, the 1st SOW brings distinctive intelligence

Military intelligence

Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....

capabilities to the fight, including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance contributions, predictive analysis, and targeting expertise to joint special operations forces and combat search and rescue operations.

The wing' s motto of "Keeping the Air Commando promise to provide reliable, precise Air Force special operations air power... Any Time, Any Place," has repeatedly shown to be true since the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks. MH-53 Pave Lows responded almost immediately to support relief efforts in New York City and Washington, D.C.

Since the Global War on Terrorism

War on Terrorism

The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...

began in October 2001, 1st SOW aircraft have flown more than 25,000 combat sorties, amassing more than 75,000 combat hours. The wing has also deployed more than 8,500 personnel to 16 geographic locations around the world. The continued high operations tempo of the 1st SOW truly put the Air Commandos assigned here at the "tip of the spear."

Organization

The following units and aircraft are assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing:

1st Special Operations Group
- 1st Special Operations Support Squadron
- 4th Special Operations Squadron
  4th Special Operations Squadron
  The 4th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates AC-130U Spooky aircraft providing special operations capability.-Mission:...
  
  , AC-130U Spooky II Gunship
  Lockheed AC-130
  The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily-armed ground-attack aircraft variant of the C-130 Hercules transport plane. The basic airframe is manufactured by Lockheed, while Boeing is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support...
- 6th Special Operations Squadron
  6th Special Operations Squadron
  The 6th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It is a combat aviation advisory unit....
  
  , UH-1N Iroquois
  UH-1 Iroquois
  The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
  
  , Mi-8
  Mil Mi-8
  The Mil Mi-8 is a medium twin-turbine transport helicopter that can also act as a gunship. The Mi-8 is the world's most-produced helicopter, and is used by over 50 countries. Russia is the largest operator of the Mi-8/Mi-17 helicopter....
  
  , C-130E
  C-130 Hercules
  The Lockheed C-130 Hercules is a four-engine turboprop military transport aircraft designed and built originally by Lockheed, now Lockheed Martin. Capable of using unprepared runways for takeoffs and landings, the C-130 was originally designed as a troop, medical evacuation, and cargo transport...
  
  , An-26
  Antonov An-26
  The Antonov An-26 is a twin-engined turboprop military transport aircraft, designed and produced in the USSR from 12 March 1968.-Development:...
  
  , C-47T
  C-47 Skytrain
  The Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
- 8th Special Operations Squadron
  8th Special Operations Squadron
  The 8th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates CV-22 Osprey in support of special operations.-Mission:...
  
  , CV-22 Osprey
  V-22 Osprey
  The Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey is an American multi-mission, military, tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing , and short takeoff and landing capability...
- 9th Special Operations Squadron
  9th Special Operations Squadron
  The 9th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The squadron operates MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft in support of special operations. The 9th SOS specializes in the use of night vision goggles and close interval formation tactics...
  
  , Eglin Air Force Base
  Eglin Air Force Base
  Eglin Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately 3 miles southwest of Valparaiso, Florida in Okaloosa County....
  
  , MC-130P Combat Shadow
- 15th Special Operations Squadron
  15th Special Operations Squadron
  The 15th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft in support of special operations.-Mission:...
  
  , MC-130H Combat Talon II
- 319th Special Operations Squadron
  319th Special Operations Squadron
  The 319th Special Operations Squadron was first formed on August 9, 1944 as the 319th Troop Carrier Squadron and served in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II...
  
  , U-28A
  Pilatus PC-12
  The Pilatus PC-12 is a single-engine turboprop passenger and cargo aircraft manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft of Switzerland. The main market for the aircraft is corporate transport and regional airliner operators.-Design and development:...

1st Special Operations Maintenance Group:
- 1st Special Operations Maintenance Operations Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Component Maintenance Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Equipment Maintenance Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron
- 801st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron

1st Special Operations Mission Support Group:
- 1st Special Operations Civil Engineer Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Communications Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Comptroller Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Contracting Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Force Support Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Logistics Readiness Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Security Forces Squadron

1st Special Operations Medical Group:
- 1st Special Operations Aerospace Medicine Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Dental Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Medical Operations Squadron
- 1st Special Operations Medical Support Squadron

History

Overview: Activated in the Panama Canal Zone

Panama Canal Zone

The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...

in 1932 as the 16th Pursuit Group, the group was equipped with Curtiss P-40

Curtiss P-40

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...

s in 1941 and redesignated the 16th Fighter Group in 1942. The group disbanded in 1943. In 1993, the group was re established and consolidated with the 1st Special Operations Wing, which had been activated in 1944 in Burma

Burma Campaign

The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...

as the 1st Air Commando Group

1st Air Commando Group

The 1st Air Commando Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the Army Service Forces, based at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. It was inactivated on 3 November 1945....

. Inactivated in 1945, the group was activated again at Hurlburt Field

Hurlburt Field

, Florida, in 1962 and elevated to wing status in 1963. Equipped with a variety of aircraft, it carries out special operations

Special operations

Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...

training and unconventional warfare

Unconventional warfare

operations worldwide. It became the 16th Special Operations Wing in 1995, and then the 1st Special Operations Wing in 2005. The 1 SOW retains all the honors the 16 SOW / 1 ACW / 1 ACG / 16 PG garnered in its 74 year existence.

Heraldry

The unit's current emblem was approved on 6 Jun 1963.

The 16th Pursuit Group's emblem was approved in 1934. It has four lightning bolts—representing the four assigned squadrons—depicting destruction from the sky.

Lineage

Authorized on the inactive list as 16th Pursuit Group on 24 March 1923

Activated on 1 December 1932

Redesignated: 16th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 6 December 1939

Redesignated: 16th Fighter Group on 15 May 1942

Disestablished on 1 November 1943

Reestablished and consolidated (1 Oct 1993) with the 1st Special Operations Wing

Established as 1st Air Commando Group on 9 August 1944

Replaced the 1st Air Commando Group (a miscellaneous unit) that was constituted on 25 March 1944

Activated on 29 March 1944, and consolidated on 9 August 1944 with the headquarters unit of the new establishment

Inactivated on 3 November 1945

Disestablished on 8 October 1948

Reestablished on 18 April 1962

Activated, and organized, on 27 April 1962

Redesignated: 1st Air Commando Wing on 1 June 1963

Redesignated: 1st Special Operations Wing on 8 July 1968

Redesignated: 834th Tactical Composite Wing on 1 July 1974

Redesignated: 1st Special Operations Wing on 1 July 1975

Redesignated: 16th Special Operations Wing on 1 October 1993

Redesignated: 1st Special Operations Wing on 16 November 2006

Assignments

3 Attack Wing, 1 December 1932
19 Composite (later, 19) Wing, 15 June 1933
12 Pursuit Wing, 20 November 1940
XXVI Interceptor (later, XXVI Fighter) Command
XXVI Fighter Command
The XXVI Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Sixth Air Force, based at Albrook Field, Canal Zone...

, 6 March 1942 to 1 November 1943
Army Air Forces India-Burma Sector, 29 March 1944

Original unit assigned to 9 August 1944, establishment assigned thereafter

Tenth Air Force
Tenth Air Force
The Tenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve Command . It is headquartered at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas....

, 10 July 1945
Army Service Forces
Army Service Forces
The Army Service Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces. They were created on February 28, 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department"...

, 6 October to 3 November 1945
USAF Special Air Warfare Center (later, USAF Special Operations Force), 27 April 1962
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...

, 1 July 1974
Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....

, 1 July 1976
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command
Tactical Air Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. It was a Major Command of the United States Air Force, established on 21 March 1946 being headquartered at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia...

, 26 September 1980
Ninth Air Force
Ninth Air Force
The Ninth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force's Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina....

, 1 August 1981
2d Air Division, 1 March 1983
Twenty-Third Air Force
Twenty-Third Air Force
Twenty-Third Air Force is a Numbered Air Force assigned to United States Air Force Special Operations Command . It is stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida...

, 1 February 1987

Redesignated: Air Force Special Operations Command

Air Force Special Operations Command

, 22 May 1990

Twenty-Third Air Force
Twenty-Third Air Force
Twenty-Third Air Force is a Numbered Air Force assigned to United States Air Force Special Operations Command . It is stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida...

, 1 January 2008 to Present

Components

Group

1st Special Operations (later, 16th Operations): 22 September 1992 to Present
549th Tactical Air Support Training: 15 December 1975 to 1 January 1977
930th Tactical Airlift (later, 930th Air Commando; 930th Special Operations): 1 June 1968 to 18 June 1969

Squadron

5th Fighter, Commando (later, 605th Air Commando)
5th Special Operations Squadron
The 5th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 919th Special Operations Wing. The 5th is based at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates U-28 aircraft providing special operations capability.-History:...

: 1 Sep 1944 – 3 Nov 1945; 15 Nov 1963-1 Jul 1964

Detached 15 Nov 1963 – 1 Jul 1964

6th Fighter, Commando (later, 6th Air Commando; 6th Special Operations Training)
6th Special Operations Squadron
The 6th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It is a combat aviation advisory unit....

: 30 Sep 1944 – 3 Nov 1945; 27 Apr 1962-29 Feb 1968; 31 Jul 1973 – 1 Jan 1974
8th Special Operations
8th Special Operations Squadron
The 8th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates CV-22 Osprey in support of special operations.-Mission:...

: 1 Mar 1974 – 22 Sep 1992
9th Special Operations
9th Special Operations Squadron
The 9th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The squadron operates MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft in support of special operations. The 9th SOS specializes in the use of night vision goggles and close interval formation tactics...

: 18 Apr 1989 – 22 Sep 1992
16th Special Operations
16th Special Operations Squadron
The 16th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon AFB , New Mexico. It operates AC-130H Spectre aircraft in support of special operations.- Mission :...

: 12 Dec 1975 – 22 Sep 1992
18th Special Operations: 25 Jan-15 Jul 1969
20th Special Operations
20th Special Operations Squadron
The 20th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon AFB, New Mexico. It operates CV-22 Osprey aircraft in support of special operations.-Mission:...

: 1 Jan 1976 – 22 Sep 1992
24th Pursuit (later 24th Fighter)
24th Fighter Squadron
The 24th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 6th Fighter Wing, based at France Field, Canal Zone...

: 1 Dec 1932 – 1 Nov 1943
29th Pursuit (later, 29th Fighter)
29th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron
The 29th Training Systems Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its assignment is with the 53d Test Management Group, based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.-Overview:...

: 1 Oct 1933 – 1 Nov 1943
43d Pursuit (Interceptor) (later, 43d Fighter)
43d Fighter Squadron
The 43d Fighter Squadron is part of the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. It conducts advanced fighter training for F-22 Raptor pilots.-Mission:...

: 1 Feb 1940 – 1 Nov 1943
44th Observation (later, 44th Reconnaissance)
430th Bombardment Squadron
The 430th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 502d Bombardment Group, based at Northwest Field, Guam. It was inactivated on 15 April 1946.-History:...

Attached c. Dec 1932-31 Aug 1937; 1 Feb-20 Nov 1940

Assigned 1 Sep 1937 – 31 Jan 1940

55th Special Operations
55th Special Operations Squadron
The 55th Special Operations Squadron most recently was part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operated MH-60G Pave Hawk aircraft in support of special operations.-History:...

: 18 Apr 1989 – 22 Sep 1992
71st Tactical Airlift (later, 71st Air Commando; 71st Special Operations): 1 Jun-16 Dec 1968
74th Pursuit (later, 74th Attack; 74th Bombardment)
74th Bombardment Squadron
The 74th Bombardment Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the 106th Bombardment Wing, based at March Air Force Base, California...

: 1 Oct 1933 – 1 Feb 1940
78th Pursuit: 1 Dec 1932 – 1 Sep 1937
164th Liaison
964th Airborne Air Control Squadron
The 964th Airborne Air Control Squadron is part of the 552d Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates the E-3 Sentry aircraft conducting airborne command and control missions.-Mission:...

: 1 Sep 1944 – 3 Nov 1945
165th Liaison
965th Airborne Air Control Squadron
The 965th Airborne Air Control Squadron is part of the 552d Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates the E-3 Sentry aircraft conducting airborne command and control missions.-Mission:...

: 1 Sep 1944 – 3 Nov 1945
166th Liaison
966th Airborne Air Control Squadron
The 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron is part of the 552d Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates the E-3 Sentry aircraft conducting airborne command and control missions.-Mission:...

: 1 Sep 1944 – 3 Nov 1945
310th Attack: 15 May-15 Jul 1969
311th Attack: 15 May-15 Jul 1969

318th Special Operations: 15 Nov 1971 – 1 Jun 1974
319th Troop Carrier, Commando (later, 319th Air Commando; 319th Special Operations)
319th Special Operations Squadron
The 319th Special Operations Squadron was first formed on August 9, 1944 as the 319th Troop Carrier Squadron and served in the China-Burma-India Theater during World War II...

: 1 Sep 1944 – 2 Sep 1945; 27 Apr 1962-15 Jul 1969; 30 Jul 1969 – 15 Jan 1972
360th Tactical Electronic Warfare: 1–31 Jul 1973
415th Special Operations Training: 19 Jul 1971 – 30 Jun 1975
424th Special Operations (later, 424th Tactical Air Support) Training: 1 Jul 1970 – 1 Jan 1972
547th Special Operations (later, 547th Tactical Air Support) Training: 15 Oct 1969 – 30 Apr 1975
549th Tactical Air Support Training: 15 Oct 1969 – 15 Dec 1975
602d Fighter, Commando: 1 May 1963 – 1 Oct 1964
603d Fighter, Commando (later, 603d Air Commando; 603d Special Operations; 603d Special Operations Training): 1 Jul 1963 – 15 May 1971; 1 Jul 1973-1 Jul 1974
604th Fighter, Commando: 1 Jul 1963 – 8 Nov 1964
775th Troop Carrier Squadron: 15 Apr-1 Jul 1964

Redesignated: 317th Air Commando (later, 317th Special Operations) Squadron: 1 Jul 1964 – 15 Jul 1969; 15 Apr 1970-30 Apr 1974

4406th Combat Crew Training: 1 Oct 1968 – 15 Jul 1969
4407th Combat Crew Training: 15 Jul 1969 – 30 Apr 1973
4408th Combat Crew Training: 15 Jul-22 Sep 1969
4409th Combat Crew Training: 15 Jul-15 Oct 1969
4410th Combat Crew Training: 27 Apr 1962 – 1 Dec 1965; 15 Jul- 15 Oct 1969
4412th Combat Crew Training: 25 Oct 1967 – 15 Jul 1969
4413th Combat Crew Training: 1 Mar 1968 – 15 Jul 1969
4473d Combat Crew Training: 8 Aug 1969 – 1 Jul 1970
4532d Combat Crew Training: 25 Oct 1967 – 15 Jul 1969.

Stations

Albrook Field, Canal Zone
Panama Canal Zone
The Panama Canal Zone was a unorganized U.S. territory located within the Republic of Panama, consisting of the Panama Canal and an area generally extending 5 miles on each side of the centerline, but excluding Panama City and Colón, which otherwise would have been partly within the limits of...

, 1 December 1932 to 1 November 1943
Hailakandi, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

, 29 March 1944

Original unit: Asansol

Asansol

Asansol is a coal mining and industrial metropolis and one of the busiest commercial centres in India. It is the second largest city and urban agglomeration in West Bengal after Kolkata and the 19th largest urban agglomeration in India. Asansol is located in the western part of the Burdwan...

, India, 20 May 1944 to 6 October 1945 (original unit to 9 August 1944, establishment thereafter)

Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...

, 1 to 3 November 1945
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field No. 9 (Hurlburt Field)
Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field is a U.S. Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation, and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command , the 1st Special Operations Wing , the...

, Florida, 27 April 1962
England AFB, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...

, 15 January 1966
Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field No. 9 (Hurlburt Field)
Hurlburt Field
Hurlburt Field is a U.S. Air Force installation located in Okaloosa County, Florida, immediately west of the Town of Mary Esther. It is part of the greater Eglin Air Force Base reservation, and is home to Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command , the 1st Special Operations Wing , the...

, Florida, 15 July 1969 to Present

Operational History

Provided fighter

Fighter aircraft

A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...

defense of Panama Canal

Panama Canal

The Panama Canal is a ship canal in Panama that joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean and is a key conduit for international maritime trade. Built from 1904 to 1914, the canal has seen annual traffic rise from about 1,000 ships early on to 14,702 vessels measuring a total of 309.6...

operations, Dec 1932 – Oct 1943.

Replaced the 5318th Provisional Air Unit in India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

in Mar 1944. As a miscellaneous unit, the group was comprised until September 1944 of operational sections (rather than units): bomber

Bomber

A bomber is a military aircraft designed to attack ground and sea targets, by dropping bombs on them, or – in recent years – by launching cruise missiles at them.-Classifications of bombers:...

; fighter; light-plane (and helicopter

Helicopter

A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...

); transport

Military transport aircraft

Military transport aircraft are typically fixed and rotary wing cargo aircraft which are used to deliver troops, weapons and other military equipment by a variety of methods to any area of military operations around the surface of the planet, usually outside of the commercial flight routes in...

; glider

Military glider

Military gliders have been used by the military of various countries for carrying troops and heavy equipment to a combat zone, mainly during the Second World War. These engineless aircraft were towed into the air and most of the way to their target by military transport planes, e.g...

; and light-cargo. The group provided fighter cover, bomb striking power, and air transport services for the Chindits

Chindits

The Chindits were a British India "Special Force" that served in Burma and India in 1943 and 1944 during the Burma Campaign in World War II. They were formed into long range penetration groups trained to operate deep behind Japanese lines...

(Wingate's Raiders), fighting behind enemy lines in Burma

Burma Campaign

. Operations included airdrop

Airdrop

An airdrop is a type of airlift, developed during World War II to resupply otherwise inaccessible troops, who themselves may have been airborne forces. In some cases, it is used to refer to the airborne assault itself. Early airdrops were conducted by dropping or pushing padded bundles from...

and landing of troops, food, and equipment; evacuation of casualties; and attacks against enemy airfields

Airport

An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...

and lines of communication. Converted from P-51 Mustang

P-51 Mustang

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...

to P-47 Thunderbolt

P-47 Thunderbolt

Republic Aviation's P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug", was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to...

fighters and eliminated its B-25 Mitchell

B-25 Mitchell

The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was used by many Allied air forces, in every theater of World War II, as well as many other air forces after the war ended, and saw service across four decades.The B-25 was named...

bomber section in May 1944.

In September 1944, after the original unit was consolidated with the headquarters component of the new establishment (also called 1st Air Commando Group), the sections were replaced by a troop carrier, two fighter, and three liaison squadrons. The group continued performing supply, evacuation, and liaison services for allied forces in Burma until the end of the war, including the movement of Chinese troops from Burma to China in December 1944. It also attacked bridges, railroads, airfields, barge

Barge

A barge is a flat-bottomed boat, built mainly for river and canal transport of heavy goods. Some barges are not self-propelled and need to be towed by tugboats or pushed by towboats...

s, oil well

Oil well

An oil well is a general term for any boring through the earth's surface that is designed to find and acquire petroleum oil hydrocarbons. Usually some natural gas is produced along with the oil. A well that is designed to produce mainly or only gas may be termed a gas well.-History:The earliest...

s, and troop positions in Burma and escorted bombers to Burmese targets, including Rangoon

Operation Dracula

During World War II, Operation Dracula was the name given to an airborne and amphibious attack on Rangoon by British and Indian forces, part of the Burma Campaign. When it was launched, the Imperial Japanese Army had already abandoned the city.-Background:...

. Switched back to P-51 Mustangs in May 1945. Left Burma in October and inactivated in New Jersey

New Jersey

New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...

in November 1945.

Replaced the 4400th Combat Crew Training Group in Apr 1962 and assumed air commando operations and training responsibility. Trained United States

United States Air Force

and South Vietnamese Air Force

Vietnam Air Force

The Vietnam Air Force began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world’s sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974...

aircrews in the United States and South Vietnam

South Vietnam

South Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...

in unconventional warfare

Unconventional warfare

, counter-insurgency

Counter-insurgency

A counter-insurgency or counterinsurgency involves actions taken by the recognized government of a nation to contain or quell an insurgency taken up against it...

, psychological warfare

Psychological warfare

, and civic actions throughout the Vietnam War

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...

.

Between 11 January and 30 June 1974, the USAF Special Operations Force and 1st Special Operations Wing merged their operations, and on 1 July 1974, the wing assumed responsibility for operating the USAF Air Ground Operations School, which trained personnel in concepts, doctrine, tactics, and procedures of joint and combined operations until 1 February 1978, and the USAF Special Operations School, which trained selected American and allied personnel in special operations, until March 1983.

Elements of the wing participated in the attempt in April 1980 to rescue US hostages

Operation Eagle Claw

Operation Eagle Claw was an American military operation ordered by President Jimmy Carter to attempt to put an end to the Iran hostage crisis by rescuing 52 Americans held captive at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran on 24 April 1980...

held in Tehran

Tehran

Tehran , sometimes spelled Teheran, is the capital of Iran and Tehran Province. With an estimated population of 8,429,807; it is also Iran's largest urban area and city, one of the largest cities in Western Asia, and is the world's 19th largest city.In the 20th century, Tehran was subject to...

, Iran. Thereafter, continued to work closely with multi-service special operations forces to develop combat tactics for numerous types of aircraft and conduct combat crew training for USAF and foreign aircrews. Conducted numerous disaster relief; search and rescue

Search and rescue

Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...

; medical evacuation; and humanitarian support missions

Humanitarian aid

Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...

.

Supported drug interdiction

War on Drugs

The War on Drugs is a campaign of prohibition and foreign military aid and military intervention being undertaken by the United States government, with the assistance of participating countries, intended to both define and reduce the illegal drug trade...

efforts in a coordinated program involving multiple US and foreign agencies, 1983–1985. Conducted airdrop

Airdrop

and airlift

Airlift

Airlift is the act of transporting people or cargo from point to point using aircraft.Airlift may also refer to:*Airlift , a suction device for moving sand and silt underwater-See also:...

of troops and equipment; psychological operations, close air support

Close air support

, reconnaissance

Reconnaissance

Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....

, search and rescue, and attacks against enemy airfields and lines of communications in support of the rescue of US nationals in Grenada

Invasion of Grenada

The Invasion of Grenada, codenamed Operation Urgent Fury, was a 1983 United States-led invasion of Grenada, a Caribbean island nation with a population of about 100,000 located north of Venezuela. Triggered by a military coup which had ousted a four-year revolutionary government, the invasion...

(Operation Urgent Fury), October to November 1983, and the restoration of democracy in Panama

United States invasion of Panama

The United States Invasion of Panama, code-named Operation Just Cause, was the invasion of Panama by the United States in December 1989. It occurred during the administration of U.S. President George H. W...

(Operation Just Cause), December 1989 to January 1990.

Beginning Aug 1990, deployed personnel and equipment to Saudi Arabia

Gulf War

The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...

(Operation Desert Shield/Storm). These forces carried out combat search and rescue, unconventional warfare, and direct strike missions during the war, including suppression of Iraqi forces during the Battle of Khafji

Battle of Khafji

The Battle of Khafji was the first major ground engagement of the Gulf War. It took place in and around the Saudi Arabian city of Khafji, from 29 January to 1 February 1991 and marked the culmination of the Coalition's air campaign over Kuwait and Iraq, which had begun on 17 January 1991.Iraqi...

, January 1991.

Deployed personnel and equipment worldwide, performing combat search and rescue, and supporting contingencies, humanitarian relief, and exercises that included Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, Kuwait

Kuwait

The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...

, and Central America. Elements of the wing deployed to participate in Operation Provide Comfort

Operation Provide Comfort

Operation Provide Comfort and Provide Comfort II were military operations by the United States and some of its Gulf War allies, starting in April 1991, to defend Kurds fleeing their homes in northern Iraq in the aftermath of the Persian Gulf War and deliver humanitarian aid to them.-Operation...

in Iraq, 1991 to 1996 and Operation Deny Flight

Operation Deny Flight

Operation Deny Flight was a North Atlantic Treaty Organization operation that began on April 12, 1993 as the enforcement of a United Nations no-fly zone over Bosnia and Herzegovina...

, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1993 to 1995.

It supported Operation Deliberate Force/Joint Endeavor, August to September 1995 and 14 to 20 December 1996, flying combat missions and attacking targets critical to Bosnian-Serb Army operations. Wing elements participated in operations Northern

Operation Northern Watch

Operation Northern Watch, the successor to Operation Provide Comfort, was a US European Command Combined Task Force charged with enforcing its own no-fly zone above the 36th parallel in Iraq...

and Southern Watch

Operation Southern Watch

Operation Southern Watch was an operation conducted by Joint Task Force Southwest Asia with the mission of monitoring and controlling airspace south of the 32nd Parallel in Iraq, following the 1991 Gulf War until the 2003 invasion of Iraq.-Summary:Operation Southern Watch began on 27 August 1992...

in 1997 and again participated in combat operations in Desert Thunder

Operation Desert Thunder

Operation Desert Thunder was a response to threats by Iraq's president Saddam Hussein to shoot down U-2 spy planes, and violate the no-fly zone set up over his country. The operation was designed to bring stability to the region by bringing in a military presence during the negotiations between...

, February to June 1998 and Desert Fox, 17 to 21 December 1998. It assumed an additional mission, supporting the Aerospace Expeditionary Forces in February 2000.

In 2001 and 2002 deployed elements to Afghanistan

War in Afghanistan (2001–present)

The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...

and Iraq

2003 invasion of Iraq

The 2003 invasion of Iraq , was the start of the conflict known as the Iraq War, or Operation Iraqi Freedom, in which a combined force of troops from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Poland invaded Iraq and toppled the regime of Saddam Hussein in 21 days of major combat operations...

and performed combat operations in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT)

War on Terrorism

External links

Hurlburt Field (official site)
1st Special Operations Wing Heritage Site
Historian revisits wing's past, 1st Special Operations Wing Office of History
The PAVE Cave (unofficial PAVE LOW website)

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