71st Special Operations Squadron
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| 71st Special Operations Squadron | |
|---|---|
 71st Special Operations Squadron Patch |
|
| Active | 9 February 1943 - 31 July 1946 15 March 1947 - 1 October 1973 1 October 1987 - 1 October 1993 20 May 2005 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Special Operations Training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 58th Special Operations Wing 58th Operations Group |
| Decorations |  DUC PUC AFOUA FCdG w/PalmFrench Fourragère  RVGC w/ Palm |
The 71st Special Operations Squadron (71 SOS) is part of the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operates CV-22 Osprey conducting special operations flying training.
Contents |
[edit] Mission
Provide Combat Ready CV-22 Aircrews to Air Force Special Operations Command.[1]
[edit] History
The 71st participated in airborne assaults on Normandy, Holland, and Germany, the relief of Bastogne, and aerial transportation of passengers and cargo throughout the European Theater of Operations during World War II.[2]
It conducted Reserve troop carrier training after the war. The 71st was called to active duty status during the Korean War from, 1951-1953 and again during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. From June to December 1968, the squadron continued airlift support of Tactical Air Command and Air Force Logistics Command, while training in operations of AC-119G gunships.[3]
On 5 January 1969 the 71st moved to South Vietnam and engaged in combat gunship, forward air control, and other special operations. In less than 6 months it returned to the United States to resume reserve training with new aircraft.[4]
It was again called to active duty status on 1 January 1991. It carried out combat search, rescue, visual reconnaissance and other special operations in Southwest Asia from, January-April 1991. The 71st was again relieved from active status on 21 April 1992.[5]
The 71 SOS was reactivated on 20 May 2005 and currently serves as the Air Force's CV-22 training squadron.[6]
[edit] Operations[7]
[edit] Lineage[8]
- 71st Troop Carrier Squadron (1943 - 1949)
- 71st Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium (1949 - 1967)
- 71st Tactical Airlift Squadron (1967 - 1968)
- 71st Air Commando Squadron (1968)
- 71st Special Operations Squadron (1968 - Present)
[edit] Assignments[9]
- 434th Troop Carrier Group (1943 - 1946)
- 434th Troop Carrier Group (1947 - 1963)
- 930th Troop Carrier Group (1963 - 1968)
- 1st Air Commando Wing (1968)
- 14th Special Operations Wing (1968 - 1969)
- 930th Special Operations Group (1969 - 1973)
- 4th Air Force (1987 - 1990)
- 919th Special Operations Wing (1987 - 1993)
- 58th Special Operations Wing (2005 - Present)
[edit] Bases stationed[10]
|
|
[edit] Aircraft Operated[11]
|
|
[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] External Links
|
||||||||||||||||||
