Twenty-Third Air Force

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Twenty-Third Air Force


caption= Twenty-Third Air Force emblem
dates= 1983-1990, 2008-Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type=
role= Special Operations
size=
command_structure= Air Force Special Operations Command
current_commander=
garrison= Hurlburt Field, Florida
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
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battles=
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Twenty-Third Air Force (23 AF) is an Numbered Air Force assigned to United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). It is stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It was activated on 1 January 2008

Mission

The mission of 23 AF is to provide highly trained special operations command and control (C2), intelligence, and reachback support forces to deployed air commanders for execution of assigned missions.

Mission tasks include:
* Monitor, implement, guide, and report global air operations activity to senior AFSOC/23AF leadership.
* Provide trained special operations C2, intelligence, and reachback support elements to theater special operations commanders.
* Execute C2 for air, space and cyberspace operations supporting USSOCOM.

Once fully operational, 23 AF will provide a special operations liaison element to regional air operations centers and a forward command and control team to be the air component to a joint special operations task force commander.

Units

* 623rd Air and Space Operations Center (AOC)
* 11th Intelligence Squadron
* 18th Flight Test Squadron

History

Lineage

* Established as Twenty-Third Air Force on 10 Feb 1983: Activated on 1 Mar 1983: Inactivated 22 May 1990: Redesignated Air Force Special Operations Command, with the status of a major command and activated on 22 May 1990
* Established as Twenty-Third Air Force on 1 Jan 2008: Activated on 1 Jan 2008

Assignments

* Military Airlift Command, 10 Feb 1993 - 22 May 1990
* Air Force Special Operations Command, 1 Jan 2008 - Present

tations

* Scott AFB, Illinois, 1 Mar 1983
* Hurlburt Field, Florida, 1 Aug 1987 - 22 May 1990; 1 Jan 2008 - Present

Components

* 2d Air Division, 1 Mar 1983 - 1 Feb 1987

* Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Service, 1 Mar 1983 - 1 Aug 1989

* 1st Special Operations Wing (later, 16 Special Operations; 1 Special Operations), 1 Feb 1987 - 22 May 1990
* 39 Aerospace Rescue & Recovery (later, 39 Special Operations; 352 Special Operations Group), 1 Oct 1983 - 22 May 1990
* 41st Rescue and Weather Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Oct 1983-1 Aug 1989
* 353d Special Operations Wing (later, 353 Special Operations Group): 6 Apr 1989 - 22 May 1990
* 375th Aeromedical Airlift Wing: 1 Jan 1984 - 1 Feb 1990
* 1550 Aircrew Training and Test Wing (later, 1550 Combat Crew Training): 1 Oct 1983-21 May 1990

* 720 Special Tactics Group: 1 Oct 1987 - 22 May 1990

* USAF Special Operations School, 1 Feb 1987 - 22 May 1990

Aircraft

* HC-130 Hercules
* EC-130 Hercules
* AC-130 Hercules
* MH-60G Pave Hawk

Operational History

In December 1982, the Air Force transferred responsibility for Air Force special operations from Tactical Air Command (TAC) to Military Airlift Command (MAC). Consequently, in March 1983, MAC activated Twenty-Third Air Force (23rd AF) at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. This new numbered air force's responsibilities included worldwide missions of special operations, combat rescue, weather reconnaissance and aerial sampling, security support for intercontinental ballistic missile sites, training of USAF helicopter and HC-130 crewmen, pararescue training, and medical evacuation.

Operation Urgent Fury

In October 1983, 23rd AF participated in the successful rescue of Americans from the island nation of Grenada. During the 7-day operation, centered at Point Salines Airport, 23rd AF furnished MC-130s, AC-130s, aircrews, maintenance, and support people. An EC-130 from the 193d Special Operations Wing of the Air National Guard (ANG), played a significant psy-war role.

US Special Operations Command

In May 1986, legislation led to the formation of the United States Special Operations Command. Senators William Cohen and Sam Nunn introduced the Senate bill, and the following month Congressman Dan Daniel introduced a like measure in the House of Representatives. The key provisions of the legislation formed the basis to amend the 1986 Defense Authorizations Bill. This bill, signed into law in October 1986, in part directed the formation of a unified command responsible for special operations. In April 1987 the DoD established the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, and Army Gen James J. Lindsay assumed command. Four months later, 23rd AF moved to Hurlburt Field, Florida. In August 1989, Gen Duane H. Cassidy, MAC Commander in Chief, divested 23rd AF of its non-special operations units. Thus, 23rd AF served a dual role--still reporting to MAC, but also functioning as the air component to USSOCOM.

Operation Just Cause

From late December 1989 to early January 1990, 23rd AF participated in the re-establishment of democracy in the Republic of Panama during Operation Just Cause. Special operations aircraft included active and AFRES AC-130 Spectre gunships, EC-130 Volant Solo psychological operations aircraft from the ANG, HC-130P/N Combat Shadow tankers, MC-130E Combat Talons, and MH-53J Pave Low and MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. Special tactics combat controllers and medics provided important support to combat units during this operation. Spectre gunship crews of the 1st SOW earned the Mackay Trophy and Tunner Award for their efforts, a 919th SOG Spectre crew earned the President's Award, and a 1st SOW Combat Talon crew ferried the captured Panamanian President, Manuel Noriega, to prison in the United States. Likewise, the efforts of the 1st SOW maintenance people earned them the Daedalian Award.

On 22 May 1990, Gen. Larry D. Welch, Air Force Chief of Staff, redesignated 23rd AF as Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC).

Activation

On 1 January 2008, Twenty-Third Air Force stood up as Air Force Special Operations Command's first Numbered Air Force.

References

* [http://www.afsoc.af.mil/library/afsocheritage Heritage of the Special Operations Professionals]
* [http://www.afsoc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11787 Twenty-third Air Force USAF Factsheet]

External links