17th Special Operations Squadron

October 2019 17th Special Operations Squadron center|60px A 492nd Special Operations Wing OA-1K Skyraider II awaits preflight inspections on the Will Rogers Air National Guard Base flightline, June 5, 2025.jpg 300px OA-1K Skyraider II at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base 1942–1946; 1952–1953; 1969–1971; 1989–present USA Special operations Air Force Special Operations Command Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma No Mission Too DemandingApproved 30 July 1990. Endicott, p. 455. JackalOctober 2025 Southwest Pacific TheaterVietnam War Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm 17th Special Operations Squadron Emblem|150px 17th Special Operations Squadron emblemApproved 19 July 1993. 17th Special Operations Squadron Emblem|150px 17th Special Operations Squadron emblemApproved 19 July 1993. Description: Azure, a Jackal head couped and traversed Sable, garnished of the first [color], langued Gules, armed Argent, and eyed Yellow between three mullets of four points White, all within a diminished bordure Or. Endicott, p. 455. https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Organizational-Records/SqFlt1to25/0017sos_lhe.pdf Lineage and Honors History 17 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC) Musser James 24 June 2025 Air Force Historical Research Agency October 21, 2025 150px 17th Special Operations Squadron emblem https://picryl.com/search?tags_all=insignia&i=approved-insignia-for-17th-special-operations-squadron-c3233c Approved insignia for: 17th Special Operations Squadron 7 November 1990 National Archives Catalog 28 May 2018 Approved 28 June 1990. 150px 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) emblemApproved 4 May 1943. Description: On an orange disc, thin border black, piped white, a caricatured figure in aviator's suit and helmet brown, wearing ear phones and tan parachute pack, grasping in left hand reins to mouth of shark teeth, and gazing into the distance under shade of right hand, standing in stirrups of yellow saddle with blue saddle cloth and brown belly band attached about the middle of a large, red aerial bomb, trimmed blue, having shark's teeth and eye of white painted thereon, all in front of a white cloud formation in base.Maurer 1982 96–97 The 17th Special Operations Squadron (17 SOS) is an active unit of the United States Air Force, stationed at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base. It is an active duty squadron with a classically associated Air National Guard detachment from the 137th Special Operations Wing.2024-11-18 WRANGB home to OA-1K Formal Training Unit https://www.492sow.af.mil/News/Article/3967510/wrangb-home-to-oa-1k-formal-training-unit/ 2024-12-30 492d Special Operations Wing en-US The squadron operates OA-1K aircraft and is a geographically separated unit assigned to the 492nd Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The squadron was previously assigned to the 27th Special Operations Group at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The squadron traces its lineage back to the 17th Observation Squadron, constituted and activated in 1942 during World War II. After being redesignated as the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), the squadron flew North American B-25 Mitchells in the New Guinea campaign, the Philippines Campaign, and over Japan on armed reconnaissance missions. The 17th was inactivated after the end of the war. The squadron's second predecessor was activated and inactivated unmanned as the 17th Liaison Squadron in the early 1950s. The 17th Special Operations Squadron was activated in 1969 to provide AC-119G Shadow gunship air support during the Vietnam War. It was inactivated in 1971 with the drawdown of United States forces in Vietnam. During the 1980s the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 17th Liaison Squadron, and the 17th Special Operations Squadron were consolidated as the 17th Special Operations Squadron, and it was activated in 1989 in Kadena, flying the MC-130P. The squadron moved to Cannon Air Force Base in 2021. It was unmanned from2023 until July 2024 when it moved to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, under the 492nd Special Operations Wing, flying the OA-1K Skyraider II. Mission October 2025 The 17 SOS is the formal training unit for the OA-1K, training Air Force pilots and Weapon systems officer (WSO) to fly close air support, armed ISR, and other special operations missions. Aircrew are specially trained to operate out of austere, unimproved surfaces day or night, and flying using night vision goggles. History World War II The 17th Observation Squadron (Light) was constituted on 5 February 1942 and activated on 2 March 1942 at Providence, Rhode Island with Air Force Combat Command. On the same day the squadron moved to Salinas Army Air Base, California, joining the 71st Observation Group there. It was equipped with Stinson L-1 Vigilant, Douglas O-46, North American O-47, and Curtiss O-52 Owl light observation aircraft. From around May to around September it flew antisubmarine patrols off west coast of the United States. On 4 July, the squadron was redesignated the 17th Observation Squadron. Between 1942 and 1943 the 17th was reequipped with Douglas A-20 Havoc, Bell P-39 Airacobra and the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. On 24 January it was moved to Esler Field, Louisiana. The 17th was relocated to Laurel Army Air Field, Mississippi, on 31 March, where it was redesignated as the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) and began training on the North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber, in preparation for combat in the South-West Pacific Area.Maurer 1982 96–97https://www.353sow.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/459666/17th-special-operations-squadron-history/ 17th Special Operations Squadron History 16 March 2010 353rd Special Operations Group en-US 14 September 2017 After completing its training, the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron was sent to Milne Bay in New Guinea, where it arrived on 6 November. It moved forward to Dobodura Airfield on 22 November, flying its first combat mission on 28 January 1944.Maurer 1982 96–97 The 17th flew armed reconnaissance missions, conducting long range and photo reconnaissance while attacking targets of opportunity. It inflicted damage on Japanese shipping in the Bismarck Sea and the Solomon Sea, destroying several ships. On 23 February, three B-25s from the squadron flew unopposed at low altitude for 90 minutes over Manus Island and Los Negros Island, checking for the presence of Japanese troops and finding no signs of activity, concluding erroneously that the islands had been evacuated.Craven Cate 1950 559October 2025 On 27 February, when the Battle of Los Negros began with an Allied landing on that island, three B-25s from the squadron sortied to provide a smoke screen for the invasion beaches if required, but were not used due to cloud cover.Craven Cate 1950 562, 564October 2025 The squadron moved up to Finschhafen in March, remaining there until 30 June.Maurer 1982 96–97 Aerial reconnaissance photographs taken by the squadron provided the information for a 28 March strike by planes from the planes from the 70th Fighter Squadron on the main Japanese seaplane base in the Solomon Islands in the Tuha Channel between Shortland Island and Poporang Island, which claimed eight float planes and a destroyer.Craven Cate 1950 211–212October 2025 The squadron conducted daily search missions along the coast from Finschhafen to Geelvink Bay, blockading the port of Hollandia and inflicting heavy losses on its shipping along with other Allied air and naval assets. In April, the 17th sank three "sea trucks" (small wooden cargo ships).Craven Cate 1950 599October 2025 On 7 April, it cooperated with a PT boat raid against Karkar Island.Craven Cate 1950 601 Following two days of bad weather, twelve B-25s from the 17th Squadron successfully dropped food and supplies to the 21st Infantry, who had made the main landing at Hollandia, at Dazai on 26 April.Craven Cate 1950 607October 2025 On 28 April, twelve B-25s of the 17th attacked coastal targets between Sarmi and Sawar.Craven Cate 1950 624October 2025 The squadron's aerial photography during that week revealed that the Sarmi area was too heavily manned by Japanese to build an airfield there.Craven Cate 1950 620October 2025 Its air echelon was moved up to Wakde on 25 May to provide air cover for the invasion of Biak, leaving the ground crews behind at Finschhafen.Craven Cate 1950 629October 2025 On 27 May, when the invasion of Biak began, four B-25s from the squadron provided the first air cover for the invasion troops shortly after first light.Craven Cate 1950 635October 2025 The 17th's aircraft provided direct air support to the troops on Biak when called upon, but were endangered by trigger-happy friendly anti-aircraft gunners. On 28 May, a B-25 from the squadron that was cleared to drop pictures on the beachhead was shot down by friendly fire.Craven Cate 1950 637October 2025 The Japanese began attempted to send a reinforcement convoy of troop-laden destroyers to Biak on 8 June after an air raid on Wakde on the night of 5–6 June damaged many Allied aircraft, leaving the 17th Squadron the only aviation unit available to intercept the first convoy. Ten B-25s from the squadron led by squadron commander Major William G. Tennille Jr., spotted the convoy, which they reported to consist of two cruisers and four destroyers, at 1250 hours near Amsterdam Island. Two larger destroyers were misidentified as cruisers. The squadron made a low-level attack, sinking the destroyer Harusame and damaging three other ships. Three aircraft, including Tennille's plane, were shot down, and the remainder were so badly damaged by anti-aircraft fire that the entire 17th Reconnaissance air echelon was sent back to Finschhafen two days later to reform.Craven Cate 1950 638October 2025Maurer 1982 96–97 Tennille and Lieutenant Howard Wood posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross for their actions. On 27 June the replenished air echelon began moving to recently captured Mokmer Airfield on Biak, completing the move by 2 July.Craven Cate 1950 642October 2025 It was joined by the ground echelon after 30 June.Maurer 1982 96–97 On 2 July, the squadron sent three missions of B-25s to provide air support to the invasion troops in the Battle of Noemfoor, bombing and strafing Japanese positions.Craven Cate 1950 658 On 20 August, the squadron's B-25s conducted low level photography over the Talaud Islands, covered by a bombing raid from the 345th Bombardment Group.Craven Cate 1981 300 The 17th was originally planned to relocated to Morotai after the capture of its airfields in October, but the move was cancelled so that it could prepare for relocation to Tacloban on Leyte after the Allied landings on that island.Craven Cate 1981 313October 2025 On 2 November its ground echelon landed at Tacloban,Craven Cate 1981 387October 2025 although the air echelon remained primarily at Biak until 23 December, when it was flown into Elmore Field at San Jose on Mindoro.Maurer 1982 96–97Craven Cate 1981 398October 2025 The 17th Reconnaissance flew reconnaissance missions over Luzon, providing Allied forces with intelligence on Japanese positions, troop movements, and supply routes. Crews from the squadron bombed Japanese airfields in Formosa and China. On 30 December, the 17th and 110th Reconnaissance Squadron cooperated with the 675th Bombardment Squadron to attack a Japanese convoy off northwest Luzon, sinking a frigate and three cargo vessels. At Elmore the squadron's operations were limited by a crew shortage, which prompted Fifth Air Force commander Major General Ennis Whitehead to request crews from Far East Air Forces (FEAF) on 1 January 1945.Craven Cate 1981 401 In the first week of January, the FEAF Combat Replacement and Training Center sent the needed B-25 crews to the squadron.Craven Cate 1981 407October 2025 The ground echelon arrived at Elmore on 7 January.Maurer 1982 96–97 On 4 April, the 17th moved to Lingayen in northern Luzon as the advance through the Philippines continued. On 29 July, the squadron moved to Ie Shima, leaving a detachment behind at Lingayen until September. It flew reconnaissance missions over Japan to assess the results of Allied bombing raids, locate prisoner of war camps, and photograph Japanese troop positions. The squadron flew its last combat mission on 25 July 1945.Maurer 1982 96–97Haulman Daniel L. Daniel L. Haulman 2 November 2016 17 Special Operations Squadron https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/433946/17-special-operations-squadron/ 2022-10-08 Air Force Historical Research Agency en-US Postwar Around 21 October, the squadron was attached to the 91st Reconnaissance Wing, and it moved to Yokota Air Base on 26 October. It was attached to V Bomber Command on 10 November. The 17th was permanently assigned to V Bomber Command on 1 February 1946, and was inactivated at Yokota on 27 April.Maurer 1982 96–97 The 17th Liaison Squadron was constituted on 19 September 1952 and activated unmanned at McChord Air Force Base on 20 October 1952. It was part of the Western Air Defense Force and was inactivated on 25 September 1953. Vietnam War The 17th Special Operations Squadron (17 SOS) was constituted on 11 April 1969 and activated on 1 June, at Nha Trang Air Base during the Vietnam War with the 14th Special Operations Wing. It was equipped with Fairchild AC-119G Shadow gunships and replaced the 71st Special Operations Squadron, which relocated to the United States for inactivation. The 17th absorbed around two-thirds of the 71st personnel, with the remainder being reservists who were transferred to inactive status days after their return to the United States. By the end of June, the squadron, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Richard E. Knie, had trained replacements and begun routine operations. At the end of the year, it was divided into three flights, operating from different bases: A Flight with four aircraft at Tuy Hoa Air Base, B Flight with seven at Phan Rang Air Base, and C Flight at Tan Son Nhut Air Base.Ballard 1982 203thumb|An AC-119G of the 17th SOS over Tan Son Nhut Air Base, 29 October 1969AC-119 crews from the squadron provided air base defense, close air support, and armed reconnaissance. Four gunships were damaged in combat and on 6 August another was hit by .50 caliber rounds in the fuselage and an engine, causing an engine fire and extensive damage. The 17th's main support base was relocated to Phan Rang Air Base on 15 August. Due to the pressure on aircraft maintenance, the squadron put in relief from at least one Shadow mission per night in the last half of August. The maintenance situation was aggravated by corrosion-control work, maintenance inspections, and part supply disruptions due to unit movements. On 11 October, Shadow 76 was destroyed and six crewmembers killed when it crashed upon takeoff for a mission from Tan Son Nhut, the squadron's first aircraft loss. Another gunship was severely damaged on 10 November when its right landing gear collapsed on landing at Chu Lai Air Base.Ballard 1982 208 thumb|An AC-119G of the squadron at Nha Trang, 1969 A decrease in the number of missions, a decline in enemy activity, and worsening weather slightly changed the "seek and destroy" gunship concept of the first half of the year to a "combat air patrol" role. By mid-December most of the problems of the squadron had been eased, improving the squadron's situation.Ballard 1982 208 During its first six months of operations, the squadron's crews flew 2,000 sorties and 8,000 combat hours, fired 20 million rounds of ammunition, expended 12,000 flares, killed 800 enemy, destroyed 150 sampans, and recorded 800 secondary explosions despite aircraft corrosion and equipment issues, reorganization, and retraining of aircrew and support personnel. No outpost was overrun while it was being supported by the gunships.Ballard 1982 205–206 thumb|Unofficial squadron emblem painted on squadron headquarters at Phan Rang In early 1970, enemy action declined so much that more mission were directed to border areas with more interdiction targets. The gunships conducted nighttime armed reconnaissance in specific strike zones known as Shadow boxes, flying a TACAN radial to a location in the box, then dropping position markers and locating targets. Between 1 April and 22 May, the 17 SOS provided nighttime cover for the besieged CIDG camps at Dak Seang and Dak Pek. With the assistance of AC-119K Stingers from the 18th Special Operations Squadron, the Shadows flew one to two sorties a night. During the siege of the camps, the squadrons flew 147 sorties and expended 2,380,161 7.62mm rounds and 21,796 20mm rounds. They also illuminated drop zones for C-7A Caribous resupplying the camps. From 3 April to 31 May, the AC-119Gs based at Tan Son Nhut tested a portable UHF receiver for signals transmitted by ground sensors. On 18 April, Shadow 77 picked up signals in a sensor field, firing nearly 6,000 7.62mm rounds that night and 28,500 rounds on the next night after again detecting movement, as well as assisting an airstrike in the area. 150 enemy bodies were discovered and 17 prisoners captured along with nine crew-served weapons and 67 individual weapons in a subsequent ground sweep. After the conclusion of the testing period, the final assessment recommended that the receivers be permanently placed in the AC-119.Ballard 1982 208–209 A Flight was relocated to Phù Cát Air Base on 12 April, taking over the 18 SOS facilities there.Ballard 1982 213 On 28 April, a squadron AC-119G, Shadow 78, crashed on takeoff from Tan Son Nhut after an engine failure, killing six of the eight crewmembers.Head 2007 223 From 5 May 1970, the squadron began flying in the Cambodian Campaign after United States forces moved into Cambodia to prop up the Cambodian Army and capture North Vietnamese base camps, and its air support was credited with lifting the siege of Kampong Thom. The 17th's crews flew 32 missions in three days at Kampong Thom and expanded over 500,000 7.62mm rounds during the campaign. Although the ground campaign ended on 30 June, the gunships continued to provide air support to the Cambodian Army and on 1 August the gunships began daytime air interdiction due to the lack of effective enemy antiaircraft fire in the country.Ballard 1982 211 Between 10 October and 27 November, the squadron moved more aircraft to Tan Son Nhut from Phan Rang and Phù Cát due to operational needs in Cambodia. On 7 December, the 17 SOS was ordered to fly night support missions for Laotian forces on the Bolaven Plateau after several Lima Sites were surrounded by enemy forces. Three gunships and four crews were relocated from Phan Rang to Phù Cát, and air support enabled the Lima Sites to reset defenses in around five days. Between 12 and 15 December, 32 squadron missions expended 555,800 7.62mm rounds and 128 flares in support of the Cambodian Army defense of Prey Totung.Ballard 1982 217 On 29 December, A Flight was inactivated at Phù Cát, and its personnel and equipment transferred to B Flight at Phan Rang. At the end of the year, B Flight at Phan Rang had seven gunships and C Flight at Tan Son Nhut had nine gunships.Ballard 1982 219 As a result of the Vietnamization policy, the squadron began training Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilots on the gunships in early 1971, and turned over its aircraft to the 819th Combat Squadron on 24 September 1971.Ballard 1982 253 The squadron was inactivated days later on 30 September. Kadena Special Operations Squadron On 19 September 1985, the lineages of the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Liaison Squadron, and the 17th Special Operations Squadron were consolidated as the 17th Special Operations Squadron, although the unit remained inactive. The 17 SOS was reactivated on 1 August 1989, part of the 353d Special Operations Wing (later the 353d Special Operations Group) at Kadena Air Base, equipped with Lockheed HC-130P/N Combat Shadow search and rescue transport (later redesignated the MC-130P/N to reflect its special operations role). thumb|An HC-130 taxiing on the runway at Chittagong, 30 April 1991 after arrival to support Operation Sea Angel Since then, the squadron has provided covert aerial refueling for special operations helicopters and infiltrated, exfiltrated, and resupplied special operations forces. From 16 to 31 July 1990, after the 1990 Luzon earthquake, the squadron's aircraft shuttled fuel between Kadena and San Fernando to Marine and Philippine Air Force helicopters participating in relief efforts after fuel shortages threatened the stoppage of the relief operations, alongside the 1st Special Operations Squadron. During the operation, the two squadrons pumped 377,000 pounds of fuel.Thigpen 2001 338–339 In late April 1991, after the 1991 Bangladesh cyclone caused extensive devastation, two HC-130s were sent to transport international relief supplies to Chittagong in Operation Sea Angel, where the supplies were transferred to helicopters for the journey inland. By early June the aircraft had returned to Kadena after the conclusion of the operation.Thigpen 2001 369 In late June, after Clark Air Base was closed by the Mount Pinatubo eruption, the squadron commander helped establish a temporary beddown location for the 353d Wing at Kadena. On 2 July, the squadron provided a HC-130 escort for a Lockheed C-5 Galaxy transporting a Sikorsky MH-53 from the 31st Special Operations Squadron relocating from Clark Air Base to Futenma.Whitcomb 2012 341Thigpen 2001 374 During the summer and fall of 1992, the squadron was scheduled to convert to the Lockheed MC-130H Combat Talon II. Due to lack of spares and test equipment, its conversion was postponed to the summer of 1995.Thigpen 2001 377–378 In February 1993, the 17th SOS was grounded for ten days due to a flying hours reduction caused by budget issues.Thigpen 2001 388 In January 1994, under the Commando Vision plan, it was decided that the squadron would not convert to the Combat Talon and would instead retain its Combat Shadows.Thigpen 2001 401 In 1994, it deployed crews to the Middle East for Operation Provide Comfort, augmenting personnel at Incirlik Air Base. Six months later, the squadron deployed to Dhahran for Operation Southern Watch. In 1995, the 17th sent an aircraft to participate in Exercise Teak Iroquois 95–4, the first military-to-military exercises with the Indian Air Force.Thigpen 2001 411 In December 1996, the 17th deployed a Combat Shadow crew to San Vito Air Station in support of Operation Joint Guard in the Kosovo War. This was the first time that a crew from the squadron flew combat hours since Vietnam. thumb|A Combat Shadow taking off from Langkawi in support of Operation Unified Assistance, January 2005 On 26 December 2004, the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami caused widespread destruction in the region. The squadron deployed aircraft and personnel to Bangkok in order to aid relief efforts in Operation Unified Assistance.https://www.353sow.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/459795/celebrating-20-years-at-kadena/ Celebrating 20 years at Kadena D'Angina James 19 March 2010 23 September 2017 353rd Special Operations Group After the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami on 11 March of that year, the squadron deployed to Yokota Air Base to support the relief effort in Operation Tomodachi, returning to Kadena in early April.https://www.353sow.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/459719/special-operations-airmen-supporting-operation-tomodachi-reposition-to-okinawa/ Special Operations Airmen supporting Operation TOMODACHI reposition to Okinawa Cram Aaron 6 April 2011 23 September 2017 353rd Special Operations Group The squadron supported Operation Damayan, the relief effort in the Philippines after Typhoon Haiyan in November 2013.https://www.353sow.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/503088/353rd-sog-supports-operations-damayan/ 353rd SOG supports Operations Damayan Dreyer Kristine 27 January 2014 23 September 2017 353rd Special Operations Group Public Affairs en-US In December 2014, the squadron began reequipping with the more advanced Lockheed MC-130J Commando II,https://www.353sow.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/673664/17th-sos-launches-pacific-regions-first-mc-130j-commando-ii-five-ship-formation/ 17th SOS launches Pacific region's first MC-130J Commando II five-ship formation flight Reft Peter 24 February 2016 18th Wing Public Affairs 22 September 2017 en-US replacing its Combat Shadows.https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/558864/17th-special-operations-squadron-begins-upgrade-to-mc-130j/ 17th Special Operations Squadron begins upgrade to MC-130J Saltekoff Alexy 30 December 2014 23 September 2017 18th Wing Public Affairs Cannon Air Force Base AC-130J Operations Squadron In October 2021, the squadron was activated at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico,Activation at Cannon October 2025 where it was assigned to fly the AC-130J Ghostrider as part of the 27th Special Operations Group, 27th Special Operations Wing.Mercado Misty 2021-07-20 Cannon AFB receives its first AC-130J Ghostrider gunship https://www.dvidshub.net/news/401634/cannon-afb-receives-its-first-ac-130j-ghostrider-gunship 2022-10-08 DVIDS enThomas Cassidy 2022-09-07 17th Special Operations Squadron showcase AC-130J at Kaneohe Bay Airshow https://www.cannon.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3151130/17th-special-operations-squadron-showcase-ac-130j-at-kaneohe-bay-airshow/ 2022-10-08 Cannon Air Force Base en-US27th Special Operations Group https://www.cannon.af.mil/Units/27th-Special-Operations-Group/ 2022-10-08 Cannon Air Force Base 21 May 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240521040847/https://www.cannon.af.mil/Units/27th-Special-Operations-Group/ dead On 2 October 2023, the squadron personnel consolidated into the 16th Special Operations Squadron and the unit became temporarily unfunded and unmanned while awaiting reassignment.October 2025 Will Rogers Air National Guard Base OA-1K Skyraider II Training Squadron On 11 July 2024, the squadron was relocated to Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, reassigned to the 492nd Special Operations Wing, and changed its mission to become the Air Force's formal training unit (FTU) for the OA-1K.2024-11-18 WRANGB home to OA-1K Formal Training Unit https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3967552/wrangb-home-to-oa-1k-formal-training-unit/ https://web.archive.org/web/20241127180135/https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3967552/wrangb-home-to-oa-1k-formal-training-unit/ dead 27 November 2024 2025-02-02 Air Force Special Operations Command en-US Personnel and aircraft arrived later in July, and it started flying operations in August in partially modified AT-802U aircraft.2024-08-06 137th SOW welcomes first AT-802U aircraft https://www.137sow.ang.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3863610/137th-sow-welcomes-first-at-802u-aircraft/ 2024-12-30 137th Special Operations Wing en-US Lineage 17th Reconnaissance Squadron Constituted as the 17th Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 February 1942 Activated on 2 March 1942 Redesignated 17th Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942 Redesignated 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) on 2 April 1943 Inactivated on 27 April 1946 Consolidated with the 17th Liaison Squadron and the 17th Special Operations Squadron as the 17th Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985 17th Liaison Squadron Constituted as the 17th Liaison Squadron on 19 September 1952 Activated on 20 October 1952 Inactivated on 25 September 1953 Consolidated with the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron and the 17th Special Operations Squadron as the 17th Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985 17th Special Operations Squadron Constituted as the 17th Special Operations Squadron on 11 April 1969 Activated on 1 June 1969 Inactivated on 30 September 1971 Consolidated with the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron and the 17th Liaison Squadron on 19 September 1985 (remained inactive) Activated on 1 August 1989 Assignments 71st Observation Group (later 71st Reconnaissance Group, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group): 2 March 1942 (attached to 91st Reconnaissance Wing c. 21 October – 9 November 1945, V Bomber Command 10 November 1945 – 31 January 1946) V Bomber Command: 1 February 1946 – 27 April 1946 Western Air Defense Force: 20 October 1952 – 25 September 1953 14th Special Operations Wing: 1 June 1969 – 30 September 1971 353rd Special Operations Wing (later 353rd Special Operations Group): 1 August 1989 27th Special Operations Group: 6 July 2021 492nd Special Operations Group: 11 July 2024 492nd Special Operations Wing: 1 November 2024 – present Stations Providence, Rhode Island, 2 March 1942 Salinas Army Air Base, California, 2 March 1942 Esler Field, Louisiana, 24 January 1943 Laurel Army Air Field, Mississippi, 31 March 1943 – 24 September 1943 Milne Bay, New Guinea, 6 November 1943 Dobodura, New Guinea, 22 November 1943 Finschhafen, New Guinea, March 1944 – 30 June 1944 (air echelon at Wakde, New Guinea 25 May 1944 – 10 June 1944 and at Biak, New Guinea after 27 June 1944) Biak, New Guinea, 29 July 1944 Tacloban, Philippines, 2 November 1944 (air echelon primarily at Biak, New Guinea until c. 23 December 1944, then at San Jose, Philippines San Jose, Philippines, 7 January 1945 Lingayen, Philippines, 4 April 1945 Ie Shima, Japan, 29 July 1945 (detachment remained at Lingayen until September 1945)) Yokota Air Base, Japan, 26 October 1945 – 27 April 1946) McChord Air Force Base, Washington, 20 October 1952 – 24 September 1953 Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam, 1 June 1969 Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam. 15 August 1969 – 30 September 1971 Kadena Air Base, Japan, 1 August 1989 – 6 July 2021 Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, 6 July 2021 – 11 Jul 2024 Will Rogers Air National Guard Base, Oklahoma, 11 July 2024 – Present Unit awards and campaigns AF PUC Distinguished Unit Citation 8 June 1944 Dutch New Guinea, 17th Reconnaissance Squadron Distinguished Unit Citations AF PUC Philippine Islands, 17th Reconnaissance Squadrons 26 December 1944 AF PUC 1 June 1969-30 June 1969 Southeast Asia, 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device AF OUA w/ v 1 July 1970-1 June 1971 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/ "V" Device AF OUA w/ v 2 September 2004-1 September 2006 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Meritorious Unit Award AF MUA 1 October 2010-30 September 2012 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Meritorious Unit Award AF MUA 1 October 2012-30 September 2014 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Meritorious Unit Award AF MUA 1 October 2018-1 April 2020 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Meritorious Unit Award AF MUA 1 October 2021-30 September 2023 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 1 August 1989-5 April 1991 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 1 June 1993-31 May 1995 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 1 September 1995-31 August 1997 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 16 October 1998-31 May 2000 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 13 October 2000-30 September 2002 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 2 September 2002-1 September 2004 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 1 October 2008-30 September 2010 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 1 October 2014-30 September 2016 17th Special Operations Squadron Air Force Outstanding Unit Award AF OUA 1 October 2016-30 September 2018 17th Special Operations Squadron Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation PPUC 17 October 1944-4 July 1945 17th Special Operations Squadron Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm VGC 1 June 1969-30 September 1971 17th Special Operations Squadron Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes200pxAntisubmarineMay 1942–September 194217th Observation Squadron200pxAir Offensive, Japan6 November 1943–2 September 1945 17th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxChina Defensive6 November 1943–4 May 194517th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxNew Guinea6 November 1943–31 December 1944 17th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxBismarck Archipelago15 December 1943–27 November 1944 17th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxLeyte17 October 1944–1 July 194517th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxLuzon15 December 1944–4 July 194517th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxSouthern Philippines27 February 1945–4 July 194517th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxRyukus26 March 1945–2 July 1945 17th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxWestern Pacific17 April 1945–2 September 1945 17th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxChina Offensive5 May 1945–2 September 194517th Reconnaissance Squadron200pxTet 1969/Counteroffensive1 June 1969–8 June 196917th Special Operations Squadron200pxVietnam Summer-Fall 19699 June 1969–31 October 196917th Special Operations Squadron200pxVietnam Winter-Spring 19703 November 1969–30 April 197017th Special Operations Squadron200pxSanctuary Counteroffensive1 May 1970–30 June 197017th Special Operations Squadron200pxSouthwest Monsoon1 July 1970–30 November 197017th Special Operations Squadron200pxCommando Hunt V1 December 1970–14 May 197117th Special Operations Squadron200pxCommando Hunt VI15 May 1971–31 July 197117th Special Operations Squadron Aircraft 25em Stinson L-1 Vigilant (1942) Douglas O-46 (1942) North American O-47 (1942) Curtiss O-52 Owl (1942) Douglas A-20 Havoc (1942–1943) Bell P-39 Airacobra (1942–1943) Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1942–1943) North American B-25 Mitchell (1943–1946) Fairchild AC-119 Shadow (1969–1971) Lockheed MC-130P Combat Shadow (1989–2014) Lockheed MC-130J Commando II (2014–unknown) Lockheed AC-130J Ghostrider (2021–2023) L3Harris OA-1K Skyraider II (2024–present)AFSOC reveals name for OA-1K: Skyraider II https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4079302/afsoc-reveals-name-for-oa-1k-skyraider-ii/ https://web.archive.org/web/20250227184302/https://www.afsoc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/4079302/afsoc-reveals-name-for-oa-1k-skyraider-ii/ 2025-02-27 2025-02-28 Air Force Special Operations Command en-US References Notes Explanatory notes Citations 30em Bibliography https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/26/2001330293/-1/-1/0/AFD-100526-036.pdf Development and Employment of Fixed-Wing Gunships 1962–1972 Ballard Jack S. Office of Air Force History 1982 9781428993648 Washington, D.C. pp 253 https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/IV/index.html IV, The Pacific: Guadalcanal to Saipan, August 1942 to July 1944 Craven Wesley Frank Cate James Lea 1950 University of Chicago Press The Army Air Forces in World War II Chicago 769332570 – Published under the auspices of the Office of Air Force History. Rohfleisch Kramer J Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf 17 December 2016 The Army Air Forces in World War II V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki 1953 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Target Rabaul, Chapter 7, The Central Solomons Mortenson Capt Bernhardt L Futrell Frank Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf 17 December 2016 The Army Air Forces in World War II V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki 1953 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Pacific Junction, Chapter 17, The Admiralties Futrell Frank Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf 17 December 2016 The Army Air Forces in World War II V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki 1953 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Pacific Junction, Chapter 18, Hollandia Futrell Frank Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf 17 December 2016 The Army Air Forces in World War II V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki 1953 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Pacific Junction, Chapter 19, Final Victory in New Guinea https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/V/index.html V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki, June 1944 to August 1945 Craven Wesley Frank Cate James Lea 1981 University of Chicago Press The Army Air Forces in World War II Chicago 69189113 Reprint 1953 – Published under the auspices of the Office of Air Force History. Futrell Frank Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf 17 December 2016 The Army Air Forces in World War II V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki 1953 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Return to the Philippines, Chapter 10, Prelude to Invasion Futrell Frank Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf 17 December 2016 The Army Air Forces in World War II V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki 1953 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Return to the Philippines, Chapter 12, Leyte Futrell Frank Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L https://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329890/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-012.pdf 17 December 2016 The Army Air Forces in World War II V, The Pacific: Matterhorn to Nagasaki 1953 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Return to the Philippines, Chapter 13, Mindoro Endicott Judy G. Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995 https://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/virtual_disk_library/index.cgi/4908883/FID1533/wings_cd.pdf 2 July 2014 1998 Air Force History and Museums Program Office of Air Force History Washington, DC B000113MB2 https://muse.jhu.edu/book/11010 Shadow and Stinger: Developing the AC-119G/K Gunships in the Vietnam War Head William P. Texas A&M University Press 2007 978-1-58544-577-6 College Station, Texas subscription Project MUSE http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20161220180455/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf dead 20 December 2016 Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II Office of Air Force History 1982 0-405-12194-6 Maurer, Maurer reprint Washington, DC 70605402 72556 Maurer 1982 1969 https://media.defense.gov/2017/Apr/07/2001728505/-1/-1/0/B_0083_THIGPEN_PRAETORIAN_STARSHIP.PDF https://web.archive.org/web/20170914035113/https://media.defense.gov/2017/Apr/07/2001728505/-1/-1/0/B_0083_THIGPEN_PRAETORIAN_STARSHIP.PDF dead 14 September 2017 The Praetorian STARShip: The Untold Story of the Combat Talon Thigpen Jerry L. Air University Press 2001 1-58566-103-1 Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama https://www.afsoc.af.mil/Portals/86/documents/history/AFD-131112-025.pdf On a Steel Horse I Ride: A History of the MH-53 Pave Low Helicopters in War and Peace Whitcomb Darrel D. Air University Press 2012 9781585662203 Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama 017