711th Special Operations Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 711th Special Operations Squadron


caption= 711th Special Operations Squadron Patch
dates= 1 May 1943 - 7 November 1945
27 June 1949 - 21 March 1951
18 May 1955 - 16 November 1957
30 July 1971 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Special Operations
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Force Reserve Command
10th Air Force
919th Special Operations Wing
919th Special Operations Group
current_commander=
garrison= Duke Field
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
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The 711th Special Operations Squadron (711 SOS) is part of the 919th Special Operations Wing at Duke Field, Florida. It operates MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft providing special operations capability.

Mission

History

The 711th flew combat missions in the European Theater of Operations from, 24 December 1943-21 April 1945. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

It provided airlift of personnel and cargo, as well as airdropping U.S. Army paratroops during exercises and training from, 1971-1974. In late 1974 the squadron began training for special operations missions using AC-130 gunships. It provided missile range support from, 1979-1989, and NASA space shuttle support from, 1981-1988. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

The 711th flew pre-strike reconnaissance, fire support, escort, and airbase defense sorties during U.S. invasion of Panama from, 8 December 1989-7 January 1990. It again flew combat missions in Southwest Asia from, 9 February-March 1991. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

The squadron's primary mission changed in late 1995 to providing long-range clandestine delivery of special operations forces and equipment. It has periodically deployed personnel and aircraft to support special operations contingency operations worldwide, as well as numerous humanitarian missions. Beginning 1 October 1997, the 711th provided flight portion of MC-130E Combat Talon I training for both Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Force Reserve Command. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

Operations [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

*
World War II
*Operation Just Cause

*
Operation Desert Storm

Lineage [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

*711th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) (1943)
*711th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy (1943 - 1949)
*711th Bombardment Squadron, Light (1949 - 1955)
*711th Fighter-Bomber Squadron (1955 - 1971)
*711th Tactical Airlift Squadron (1971 - 1975)
*711th Special Operations Squadron (1975 - Present)

Assignments [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

*447th Bombardment Group (1943 - 1945)
*448th Bombardment Group (1949 - 1951)
*448 Fighter-Bomber Group (1955 - 1957)
*919th Special Operations Wing (1971 - Present)

Bases stationed [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

*Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington (1943)
*Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota (1943)
*Harvard Army Air Field, Nebraska (1943)
*RAF Rattlesden, England (1943 - 1945)
*Drew Field, Florida (1945)
*Long Beach Municipal Airport, California (1949 - 1951)
*Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas (1955 - 1957)
*Duke Field, Florida (1971 - Present)

Aircraft Operated [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html AFHRA 711 SOS Page] ]

*B-17 Flying Fortress (1943 - 1945)
*AT-7 Navigator (1949 - 1951)
*AT-11 Kansan (1949 - 1951)
*C-130 Hercules (1971 - )
*AC-130 (1975 - 1995)
*MC-130E Combat Talon I (1995 - Present)

References

Notes

Bibliography

* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0711sos.html USAF 711th Special Operations Squadron History]
* [http://www.919sow.afrc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4298 919th Special Operations Wing Fact Sheet]

ee also