23rd Special Tactics Squadron

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23rd Special Tactics Squadron
War in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Insignia
23rd Special Tactics Squadron emblem

The 23rd Special Tactics Squadron (23rd STS) is an active ground unit, within the

United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). It is garrisoned at Hurlburt Field, Florida
. The 23rd STS was previously designated the 1723rd Special Tactics Squadron prior to 1992.

Overview

The Squadron is made up of

Special Reconnaissance, Tactical Air Control Party Officers, and Tactical Air Control Party Specialists.[1]

Special Tactics Squadrons are organized, trained, and equipped specifically for various

U.S. special operations forces overseas.[1]

History

Constituted 23rd Fighter Control Squadron (Special) on 10 January 1943. Activated on 6 February 1943. Redesignated 23rd Fighter Control Squadron on 16 Sep 1943. Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Reconstituted, and consolidated on 1 March 1992 with 1723rd Combat Control Squadron. Redesignated 1723rd Special tactics Squadron on 1 April 1990; 23rd Special Tactics Squadron on 31 March 1992.[2]

Staff Sgt. Richard Hunter, a combat controller with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, received the Air Force Cross for his actions during a battle in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan on 2 November 2016. Hunter was embedded in a joint US Special Forces/Afghan unit that was engaged in a fierce firefight in a village near Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, 2 November 2016. During the eight-hour firefight, Staff Sgt.Hunter called in 31 danger-close air strikes on enemy forces.[3][4][5]

Operations

U.S. invasion of Afghanistan
in 2001.
U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Commandos from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron training in Jordan

Members of the unit have participated in

Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the U.S. Air Force's 23rd Special Tactics Squadron took part in Haiti earthquake relief operations by providing air traffic control operations at Haiti's Toussaint Louverture International Airport.[6] In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in 2018, the 23rd came to clear and establish the runway at Tyndall Air Force Base.[7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "The Air Force's Only Special Tactics Wing". Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  2. ^ "23rd Special Tactics Squadron". Hurlburt Field. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  3. ^ "SecAF awards Air Force Cross, 10 medals to Air Commandos". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  4. ^ "Combat controller to receive Air Force Cross for actions during fierce Afghan battle". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  5. ^ "Richard Hunter, Air Force Cross". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  6. ^ Shaughnessy, Larry (15 January 2010). "Chaos at Haiti airport calmed by Air Force". CNN. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  7. ^ Tirpak, John A.; Everstine, Brian (12 October 2018). "Tyndall F-22s, Left Behind Before Michael Hit, Possibly Damaged Beyond Repair". Retrieved 13 October 2018.

External links

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