17th Special Operations Squadron
17th Special Operations Squadron | |
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Part of | Air Force Special Operations Command |
Garrison/HQ | Southwest Pacific Theater Vietnam War |
Decorations |
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Insignia | |
17th Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 21 December 2011)[2] | |
17th Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 19 July 1993)[2] | |
17th Special Operations Squadron emblem[3] (approved 28 June 1990)[4] | |
17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) emblem (approved 4 May 1943)[5] |
The 17th Special Operations Squadron (17 SOS) is an active unit of the
The squadron traces its lineage back to the 17th Observation Squadron, constituted and activated in 1942 during
Mission
Equipped with the
History
World War II
The 17th Observation Squadron (Light) was constituted on 5 February 1942 and activated on 2 March 1942 at
After completing its training, the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron was sent to
The squadron moved up to
Its air echelon was moved up to
On 27 June the replenished air echelon began moving to recently captured
On 2 November its ground echelon landed at Tacloban,
On 4 April, the 17th moved to
Postwar
Around 21 October, the squadron was attached to the
The 17th Liaison Squadron was constituted on 19 September 1952 and activated unmanned at
Vietnam War
The 17th Special Operations Squadron (17 SOS) was constituted on 11 April 1969 and activated on 1 June, at
AC-119 crews from the squadron provided airbase defense, close air support, and armed reconnaissance. Four gunships were damaged in combat and on 6 August another was hit by .50 caliber rounds in the fuselage and an engine, causing an engine fire and extensive damage. The 17th's main support base was relocated to Phan Rang Air Base on 15 August. Due to the pressure on aircraft maintenance, the squadron put in relief from at least one Shadow mission per night in the last half of August. The maintenance situation was aggravated by corrosion-control work, maintenance inspections, and part supply disruptions due to unit movements. On 11 October, Shadow 76 was destroyed and six crewmembers killed when it crashed upon takeoff for a mission from Tan Son Nhut, the squadron's first aircraft loss. Another gunship was severely damaged on 10 November when its right landing gear collapsed on landing at Chu Lai Air Base.[29]
A decrease in the number of missions, a decline in enemy activity, and worsening weather slightly changed the "seek and destroy" gunship concept of the first half of the year to a "combat air patrol" role. By mid-December most of the problems of the squadron had been eased, improving the squadron's situation.[29] During its first six months of operations, the squadron's crews flew 2,000 sorties and 8,000 combat hours, fired 20 million rounds of ammunition, expended 12,000 flares, killed 800 enemy, destroyed 150 sampans, and recorded 800 secondary explosions despite aircraft corrosion and equipment issues, reorganization, and retraining of aircrew and support personnel. No outpost was overrun while it was being supported by the gunships.[30]
In early 1970, enemy action declined so much that more mission were directed to border areas with more interdiction targets. The gunships conducted nighttime armed reconnaissance in specific strike zones known as Shadow boxes, flying a
A Flight was relocated to
Between 10 October and 27 November, the squadron moved more aircraft to Tan Son Nhut from Phan Rang and Phù Cát due to operational needs in Cambodia. On 7 December, the 17 SOS was ordered to fly night support missions for Laotian forces on the
As a result of the
Kadena Special Operations Squadron
This section is missing information about the squadron's inactivation at Kadena.(October 2022) |
On 19 September 1985, the lineages of the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Liaison Squadron, and the 17th Special Operations Squadron were consolidated as the 17th Special Operations Squadron, although the unit remained inactive. The 17 SOS was reactivated on 1 August 1989, part of the
Since then, the squadron has provided covert aerial refueling for special operations helicopters and infiltrated, exfiltrated, and resupplied special operations forces. From 16 to 31 July 1990, after the 1990 Luzon earthquake, the squadron's aircraft shuttled fuel between Kadena and San Fernando to Marine and Philippine Air Force helicopters participating in relief efforts after fuel shortages threatened the stoppage of the relief operations, alongside the 1st Special Operations Squadron. During the operation, the two squadrons pumped 377,000 pounds of fuel.[38] In late April 1991, after the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone caused extensive devastation, two HC-130s were sent to transport international relief supplies to Chittagong in Operation Sea Angel, where the supplies were transferred to helicopters for the journey inland. By early June the aircraft had returned to Kadena after the conclusion of the operation.[39]
In late June, after
In 1994, it deployed crews to the Middle East for
On 26 December 2004, the
Reactivation at Cannon Air Force Base
In October 2021, the squadron was reactivated at
Lineage
17th Reconnaissance Squadron
- Constituted as 17th Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 February 1942
- Activated on 2 March 1942
- Redesignated 17th Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
- Redesignated 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) on 2 April 1943
- Inactivated on 27 April 1946
- Consolidated with 17th Liaison Squadron and 17th Special Operations Squadron as 17th Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985
17th Liaison Squadron
- Constituted as 17th Liaison Squadron on 19 September 1952
- Activated on 20 October 1952
- Inactivated on 25 September 1953
- Consolidated with 17th Reconnaissance Squadron and 17th Special Operations Squadron as 17th Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985
17th Special Operations Squadron
- Constituted as 17th Special Operations Squadron on 11 April 1969
- Activated on 1 June 1969
- Inactivated on 30 September 1971
- Consolidated with 17th Reconnaissance Squadron and 17th Liaison Squadron on 19 September 1985 (remained inactive)
- Activated on 1 August 1989[2]
- Inactivated on unknown date
- Activated in October 2021[51]
Assignments
- 91st Reconnaissance Wing c. 21 October – 9 November 1945, V Bomber Command10 November 1945 – 31 January 1946)
- V Bomber Command: 1 February 1946 – 27 April 1946
- Western Air Defense Force: 20 October 1952 – 25 September 1953
- 14th Special Operations Wing: 1 June 1969 – 30 September 1971
- 353rd Special Operations Group: 1 August 1989 – unknown[2]
- 27th Special Operations Group: October 2021 – present[53][51]
Bases stationed
- Providence, Rhode Island, 2 March 1942
- Salinas Army Air Base, California, 2 March 1942
- Esler Field, Louisiana, 24 January 1943
- Laurel Army Air Field, Mississippi, 31 March 1943 – 24 September 1943
- Milne Bay, New Guinea, 6 November 1943
- Dobodura, New Guinea, 22 November 1943
- Finschhafen, New Guinea, March 1944 – 30 June 1944 (air echelon at Wakde, New Guinea 25 May 1944 – 10 June 1944 and at Biak, New Guinea after 27 June 1944)
- Biak, New Guinea, 29 July 1944
- Tacloban, Philippines, 2 November 1944 (air echelon primarily at Biak, New Guinea until ca. 23 December 1944, then at San Jose, Philippines
- San Jose, Philippines, 7 January 1945
- Lingayen, Philippines, 4 April 1945
- Ie Shima, Japan, 29 July 1945 (detachment remained at Lingayen until September 1945))
- Yokota Air Base, Japan, 26 October 1945 – 27 April 1946)
- McChord Air Force Base, Washington, 20 October 1952 – 24 September 1953
- Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam, 1 June 1969
- Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam. 15 August 1969 – 30 September 1971
- Kadena Air Base, Japan, 1 August 1989 – unknown[2]
- Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, October 2021 – present[51]
Unit Awards and Campaigns
Aircraft
- L-1 Vigilant(1942)
- O-46 (1942)
- O-47 (1942)
- O-52 Owl(1942)
- A-20 Havoc(1942–1943)
- P-39 Airacobra(1942–1943)
- P-40 Warhawk(1942–1943)
- B-25 Mitchell(1943–1946)
- AC-119 (1969–1971)
- MC-130P Combat Shadow (1989[2]–2014)[50]
- MC-130J Commando II (2014–unknown)[49]
- AC-130J Ghostrider (2021–present)[51]
References
Notes
- ^ Approved 30 July 1990. Endicott, p. 455
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Haulman, Daniel L. (2 November 2016). "17 Special Operations Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "Approved insignia for: 17th Special Operations Squadron". National Archives Catalog. 7 November 1990. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
- ^ Endicott, p. 455
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Maurer 1982, pp. 96–97.
- ^ "353rd Special Operations Group". 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs. 18 September 2015. Archived from the original on 15 September 2017. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "17th Special Operations Squadron History". 353rd Special Operations Group. 16 March 2010. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 559.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, pp. 562, 564.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, pp. 211–212.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 599.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 601.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 607.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 624.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 620.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 629.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 635.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 637.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 638.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 642.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1950, p. 658.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1981, p. 300.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1981, p. 313.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1981, p. 387.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1981, p. 398.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1981, p. 401.
- ^ Craven & Cate 1981, p. 407.
- ^ Ballard 1982, p. 203.
- ^ a b Ballard 1982, p. 208.
- ^ Ballard 1982, pp. 205–206.
- ^ Ballard 1982, pp. 208–209.
- ^ Ballard 1982, p. 213.
- ^ Head 2007, p. 223.
- ^ Ballard 1982, p. 211.
- ^ Ballard 1982, p. 217.
- ^ Ballard 1982, p. 219.
- ^ Ballard 1982, p. 253.
- ^ Thigpen 2001, pp. 338–339.
- ^ Thigpen 2001, p. 369.
- ^ Whitcomb 2012, p. 341.
- ^ Thigpen 2001, p. 374.
- ^ Thigpen 2001, pp. 377–378.
- ^ Thigpen 2001, p. 388.
- ^ Thigpen 2001, p. 401.
- ^ Thigpen 2001, p. 411.
- ^ D'Angina, James (19 March 2010). "Celebrating 20 years at Kadena". 353rd Special Operations Group. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ Cram, Aaron (6 April 2011). "Special Operations Airmen supporting Operation TOMODACHI reposition to Okinawa". 353rd Special Operations Group. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ Dreyer, Kristine (27 January 2014). "353rd SOG supports Operations Damayan". 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b Reft, Peter (24 February 2016). "17th SOS launches Pacific region's first MC-130J Commando II five-ship formation flight". 18th Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ a b Saltekoff, Alexy (30 December 2014). "17th Special Operations Squadron begins upgrade to MC-130J". 18th Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 23 September 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Mercado, Misty (20 July 2021). "Cannon AFB receives its first AC-130J Ghostrider gunship". DVIDS. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ Thomas, Cassidy (7 September 2022). "17th Special Operations Squadron showcase AC-130J at Kaneohe Bay Airshow". Cannon Air Force Base. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ a b "27th Special Operations Group". Cannon Air Force Base. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
- ^ "17 Special Operations Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 20 September 2023.
Bibliography
- Ballard, Jack S. (1982). Development and Employment of Fixed-Wing Gunships 1962–1972 (PDF). Washington, D.C.: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 9781428993648. pp 253
- Craven, Wesley Frank; Cate, James Lea (1950). IV, The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan, August 1942 to July 1944. The Army Air Forces in World War II. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 769332570. – Published under the auspices of the Office of Air Force History.
- Rohfleisch, Kramer J (1953). "Target Rabaul, Chapter 7, The Central Solomons". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Mortenson, Capt Bernhardt L; Futrell, Frank (1953). "Pacific Junction, Chapter 17, The Admiralties". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Futrell, Frank (1953). "Pacific Junction, Chapter 18, Hollandia". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Futrell, Frank (1953). "Pacific Junction, Chapter 19, Final Victory in New Guinea". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Rohfleisch, Kramer J (1953). "Target Rabaul, Chapter 7, The Central Solomons". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
- Craven, Wesley Frank; Cate, James Lea (1981) [1953]. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki, June 1944 to August 1945. The Army Air Forces in World War II (Reprint ed.). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 69189113. – Published under the auspices of the Office of Air Force History.
- Futrell, Frank (1953). "Return to the Philippines, Chapter 10, Prelude to Invasion". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Futrell, Frank (1953). "Return to the Philippines, Chapter 12, Leyte". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Futrell, Frank (1953). "Return to the Philippines, Chapter 13, Mindoro". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press. OCLC 704158. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Futrell, Frank (1953). "Return to the Philippines, Chapter 10, Prelude to Invasion". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II (PDF). Vol. V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
- Endicott, Judy G. (1998). Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995 (PDF). Air Force History and Museums Program. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ASIN B000113MB2. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
- Head, William P. (2007). Shadow and Stinger: Developing the AC-119G/K Gunships in the Vietnam War. College Station, Texas: Texas A&M University Press. Project MUSE.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. OCLC 72556.
- Thigpen, Jerry L. (2001). The Praetorian STARShip: The Untold Story of the Combat Talon (PDF). Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Air University Press. ISBN 1-58566-103-1.
- Whitcomb, Darrel D. (2012). On a Steel Horse I Ride: A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace (PDF). Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama: Air University Press. ISBN 9781585662203.