1st Special Operations Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 1st Special Operations Squadron


caption= 1st Special Operations Squadron Patch
dates= 1 August 1939 - 1 May 1942
24 October 1949 - 22 July 1952
8 April 1953 - 18 January 1954
17 June 1963 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Special Operations
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Force Special Operations Command
353d Special Operations Group
current_commander=
garrison= Kadena Air Base
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
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The 1st Special Operations Squadron (1 SOS) is part of the 353d Special Operations Group at Kadena Air Base, Japan. It operates MC-130 Combat Talon II aircraft providing special operations capability. Air crews are trained in night, low-level flying using night vision goggles.

Mission

Deliver troops and equipment into denied areas during adverse weather conditions at night by airdrop or landing. [ [http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=225 353d SOG Fact Sheet] ]

History

The 1st conducted gunnery testing and training from, 1939–1942. It flew administrative airlift from, 1949–1952 and 1953–1954. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp 1 SOS AFHRA] ]

The 1st flew combat missions in Southeast Asia from, 8 July 1963–7 November 1972 and 15 December 1972–28 January 1973. It also trained Vietnamese Air Force pilots in counter-insurgency operations from, July 1963–November 1972. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp 1 SOS AFHRA] ]

The 1st operates the MC-130H Combat Talon II aircraft in support of joint and allied special operations forces. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp 1 SOS AFHRA] ]

Operations [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp 1 SOS AFHRA] ]

*Vietnam War

Lineage [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp 1 SOS AFHRA] ]

*1st Pursuit Squadron (Single Engine) (1939)
*1st Pursuit Squadron (1939 - 1949)
*1st Liaison Squadron (1949 - 1963)
*1st Air Commando Squadron, Composite (1963 - 1967)
*1st Air Commando Squadron, Fighter (1967 - 1968)
*1st Special Operations Squadron (1968 - Present)

Assignments [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp 1 SOS AFHRA] ]

*Air Corps Proving Ground Group (1939 - 1942)
*12th Air Force (1949 – 1950)
*14th Air Force (1950)
*Tactical Air Command (1950 - 1951)
*9th Air Force (1951 - 1952)
*479th Fighter-Bomber Wing (1953 - 1954)
*34th Tactical Group (1963 - 1965)
*6251st Tactical Fighter Wing (1965 - 1966)
*14th Air Commando Wing (1966 - 1967)
*56th Special Operations Wing (1967 - 1972)
*18th Tactical Fighter Wing (1972 - 1981)
*3d Tactical Fighter Wing (1981 - 1983)
*2d Air Division (1983 - 1987)
*23d Air Force (1987 - 1989)
*353d Special Operations Group (1989 - Present)

Bases stationed [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp 1 SOS AFHRA] ]

*Maxwell Field, Alabama (1939 - 1940)
*Orlando, Florida (1940 - 1941)
*Eglin Field, Florida (1941 - 1942)
*Biggs Air Force Base, Texas (1949 - 1952)
*George Air Force Base, California (1953 - 1954)
*Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam (1963 - 1966)
*Pleiku Air Base, South Vietnam (1966 - 1967)
*Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand (1967 - 1972)
*Kadena Air Base, Japan (1972 - 1981)
*Clark Air Base, Philippines (1981 - 1992)
*Kadena Air Base, Japan (1992 - Present)

Aircraft Operated [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp 1 SOS AFHRA] ]

*P-36 Hawk (1939 - 1942)
*YP-37 (1939 - 1940)
*O-38 (1940)
*B-12 (1940)
*C-40 Electra (1940)
*P-40 Warhawk (1941 - 1942)
*L-13 Grasshopper (1949 - 1952)
*C-45 Expeditor (1952)
*L-20 Beaver (1952, 1953 - 1954)
*H-19 Chickasaw (1953 - 1954)
*B-26 Marauder (1963 - 1964)
*T-28 Trojan (1963 - 1964)
*U-10 Super Courier (1963 - 1966)
*C-47 Skytrain (1963 - 1966)
*RB-26 (1963 - 1964)
*A-1 Skyraider (1964 - 1972)
*FC-47 (1964 - 1965)
*AC-47 Spooky (1965)
*MC-130 Combat Talon (1972 - Present)

References

Notes

Bibliography

* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0001sos.asp USAF 1st Special Operations Squadron history]
* [http://www.kadena.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7656 353d Special Operations Group fact sheet (Kadena AB)]
* [http://www2.afsoc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=225 353d Special Operations Group fact sheet (AFSOC)]

ee also