10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron

May 2020 November 2018 10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron Boeing EC-135H (717-148), USA - Air Force AN1131030.jpg 300 Boeing EC-135 landing at RAF Mildenhall 1942–1944; 1951–1955; 1967–1957; 1970–1991 USA command and control United States Air Forces Europe Skoshi Tiger (1966–1967) Silk Purse (1970–1991) Korean WarVietnam War Presidential Unit CitationAir Force Outstanding Unit AwardVietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm 165px 10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron emblem 165px 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando emblem The 10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit that flew airborne command post aircraft from RAF Mildenhall, England from January 1970 to December 1991. Through a unit consolidation in September 1985, the squadron has roots in units that participated in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War The first predecessor of the squadron was the 10th Transport Squadron, which flew distinguished visitors to all areas of the globe where the Allies of World War II operated. It was disbanded in the spring of 1944 in a reorganization of Army Air Forces units. The 10th's second predecessor was the 10th Liaison Squadron, which provided light airlift support to Fifth Air Force units during the Korean War, this squadron was inactivated in 1955. The final predecessor was the 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando, which performed combat testing of the Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter from April 1966 until the planes were transferred to the Viet Nam Air Force in April 1967. These three units were consolidated into a single unit in September 1985. History World War II thumb|left|Air Transport Command C-54A The first predecessor of the squadron was activated on 1 March 1942 as the 10th Air Corps Ferrying Squadron at Bolling Field and equipped with a variety of transport aircraft. The squadron was the flying component of the newly-formed Bolling Field Sector, Air Corps Ferrying Command and was part of the command's Foreign Wing.Administrative History, Ferrying Command, p. 67 The squadron not only ferried aircraft overseas, it transported equipment and high-ranking officials on trans-Atlantic flights. It flew missions to support Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa in late 1942 and early 1943. http://usafunithistory.com/PDF/10-19/10%20AIRBORNE%20COMMAND%20AND%20CONTROL%20SQ.pdf 10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron 5 September 2010 USAF Unit History.com live 5 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181106004638/http://usafunithistory.com/PDF/10-19/10%20AIRBORNE%20COMMAND%20AND%20CONTROL%20SQ.pdf 6 November 2018 In March 1943, the squadron became the 10th Transport Squadron and moved to General Billy Mitchell Field, Wisconsin. It flew high ranking personnel to locations in the Americas, the Far East and the Southwest Pacific, notably, in October a squadron Douglas C-54 Skymaster transported ambassador Averell Harriman from Washington, DC to Moscow. The squadron became non-operational at the beginning of 1944, when most its personnel were transferred to the headquarters of the 26th Transport Group. Although the squadron nominally remained behind at General Mitchell Field, the group moved to Gravelly Point, Virginia, where it continued transporting distinguished visitors. However, the Army Air Forces was finding that standard military units, based on relatively inflexible tables of organization not well adapted to support missions. Accordingly, it adopted a more functional system in which each base was organized into a separate numbered unit.Goss, p. 75 Air Transport Command personnel at General Mitchell Field when the squadron disbanded there were merged into the 567th AAF Base Unit (14th Ferrying Service Station), while those at Gravelly Point became the 503d AAF Base Unit (26th Transport Group, Washington National Airport).The 503d became the first unit to operate a presidential aircraft, the "Sacred Cow", for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Korean War thumb|L-20 Beaver The second predecessor of the squadron, the 10th Liaison Squadron was activated at Seoul Air Base in July 1951 and assigned to Fifth Air Force. Far East Air Forces had requested the organization of a unit that included Sikorsky H-19 helicopters to enable it to perform aeromedical evacuation missions, but the squadron was authorized only fixed wing aircraft,Futrell, p. 549 limiting its mission to serving as a light transport and communications unit in Korea until inactivating in 1955. It was equipped with Stinson L-5 Sentinel and de Havilland Canada L-20 Beaver aircraft. It provided light airlift to forward units and provided courier service. It surveyed forward areas for potential sites for landing strips, and communications and radar sites. It performed regular reconnaissance of abandoned airstrips. On occasion it transported North Korean prisoners of war and airdropped arms and supplies to guerillas operating behind enemy lines. Following the armistice in Korea, it was inactivated in March 1955.Endicott, p. 103 Skoshi Tiger thumb|F-5B at Bien Hoa AB The 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando was activated at Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam in April 1967 to operate the Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter in combat missions. Tactical Air Command had organized the Tactical Fighter Squadron, Provisional, 4503d at Williams Air Force Base, Arizona to begin testing the F-5 under the name "Skoshi Tiger"Skoshi (or Skosh) was military slang for small, derived from Japanese. The F-5 was much smaller than USAF fighters in operation at the time. on 22 July 1965, with pilots and maintenance personnel from the USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center. After conducting initial training and tests in the United States, the 4503d deployed a dozen of its fighters to Bien Hoa in October 1965, http://www.the-northrop-f-5-enthusiast-page.info/AirForces/USAFVietnamOperations.html The Northrop F-5E Enthusiast Page: USAF Vietnam Operation The Northrop F-5E Enthusiast Page live 5 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181106053426/http://www.the-northrop-f-5-enthusiast-page.info/AirForces/USAFVietnamOperations.html 6 November 2018 although the squadron officially remained at Williams until 10 March 1966.Mueller, p. 595 On 8 April, the provisional squadron was discontinued and its personnel and equipment were used to form the regular 10th Squadron. The squadron increased in size to 18 aircraft.Although authorized 18 planes, maximum strength was 17. Tambini, p. 21. It flew more than 7,000 operational missions,It is not clear if the mission total includes those flown by the 4503d Squadron as well as the 10th. earning a Presidential Unit Citation and a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm.AF Pamphlet 900-2, p. 94AF Pamphlet 900-2, Vol. 2, p. 12 Six squadron aircraft were lost to enemy fire.Earlier, the 4503rd has lost one F-5. Tambini, p. 19 In October 1966, the squadron began to train Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) personnel on the operation and maintenance of the F-5. After a year of testing, its aircraft were turned over to the 522nd Fighter Squadron of the RVNAF 23rd Tactical Wing at Bien Hoa on 17 April 1967Tambini, p. 24 and the unit was inactivated, although some squadron personnel remained behind to continue the training mission. Airborne Command and Control The 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron was activated at RAF Mildenhall in January 1970, where it replaced the 7120th Airborne Command Control Squadron to provide an airborne command post for United States Air Forces Europe. The 7120th had performed this mission (Operation Silk Purse) since 1 December 1961, when it was activated at Chateauroux Air Base, France under the 322d Air Division. Seven months later, the squadron was assigned to the host organization at Chateauroux, the 7322d Air Base Group. The 7120th was redesignated as an airborne command control squadron on 1 October 1965, and moved to Mildenhall the following month,Fletcher, p.130 where it became part of the 513th Troop Carrier Wing on 1 July 1966.Ravenstein, pp. 279-281 The squadron's crews flew the Boeing EC-135H Airborne Command Post to support the United States Commander-in-Chief, Europe. The battle staff in the planes were from another organization. Squadron EC-135s also served as aerial tankers after 1972. The aircraft provided communications support during exercises in support of NATO, and other agencies following overwater routes near Europe. The planes also stood alert for emergency launches at Mildenhall. In 1970 and 1980, they operated from RAF Lakenheath while repairs were made on the runway at Mildenhall. With the end of the Cold War, the squadron was inactivated at the end of 1991. Lineage 10th Transport Squadron Constituted as the 10th Air Corps Ferry Squadron on 18 February 1942 Activated on 1 March 1942 Redesignated 10th Transport Squadron on 9 March 1943 Disbanded on 31 March 1944 Reconstituted and consolidated with the 10th Liaison Squadron, 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando and 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron as the 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron on 19 September 1985Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 662q, 19 September 85, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Tactical Squadrons 10th Liaison Squadron Constituted as the 10th Liaison Squadron on 1 June 1951 Activated on 25 July 1951 Inactivated on 15 March 1955 Consolidated with the 10th Transport Squadron, 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando and 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron as the 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron on 19 September 1985 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando Constituted on 28 March 1966 as the 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando and activated (not organized) Organized on 8 April 1966 Inactivated on 17 April 1967 Consolidated with the 10th Transport Squadron, 10th Liaison Squadron and 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron as the 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron on 19 September 1985 10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron Constituted as the 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron on 15 September 1969 Activated on 1 January 1970 Consolidated with the 10th Transport Squadron, 10th Liaison Squadron and 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando on 19 September 1985 Redesignated 10th Airborne Command and Control Squadron on 18 June 1987 Inactivated on 31 December 1991 Assignments Bolling Field Sector, Air Corps Ferrying Command (later Transatlantic Sector, Air Corps Ferrying Command; Transatlantic Sector, Air Transport Command), 1 March 1942 Domestic Transportation Division, Air Transport Command, 1 March 1943 26th Transport Group, 1 April 1943 – 31 March 1944 Fifth Air Force, 25 July 1951 – 15 March 1955 Pacific Air Forces, 28 March 1966 (not organized) 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, 8 April 1966 – 17 April 1967Ravenstein, pp. 9-12 513th Tactical Airlift Wing (later 513th Airborne Command and Control Wing), 1 January 1970 – 31 December 1991Assignment through 1977 in Ravenstein, pp. 279-281 Stations Bolling Field, District of Columbia, 1 March 1942Mueller, p. 44 General Billy Mitchell Field, Wisconsin, 1 March 1943 – 31 March 1944 Seoul Airdrome (later Seoul Air Base), South Korea, 25 July 1951 Osan Air Base, South Korea, 28 January 1954 – 15 March 1955Fletcher, p. 94 Bien Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam, 8 April 1966 – 17 April 1967See Ravenstein, pp. 9-12 (3d Tactical Fighter Wing station) RAF Mildenhall, England, 1 January 1970 – 31 December 1991 Aircraft 20em Douglas C-47 Skytrain, 1942-1944 Consolidated B-24 Liberator, 1942 Consolidated C-87 Liberator Express, c. 1942-1944 Curtiss C-46 Commando, c.1943-1944 Douglas C-54 Skymaster, c.1943-1944 Lockheed C-56 Lodestar, c. 1942-1944 Lockheed C-60 Lodestar, c. 1942-1944 Noorduyn C-64 Norseman, c. 1942-1944 Douglas UC-67 Dragon, c. 1942-1944 Douglas C-84, c. 1942-1944 Stinson L-5 Sentinel, 1951, 1953 de Havilland Canada L-20 Beaver, 1952-1955 Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter, 1966-1967 Boeing EC-135H, 1970-1991 Awards and campaigns AF PUC Presidential Unit Citation 8 June 1966 – 16 April 1967 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando https://access.afpc.af.mil/AwardsDMZNet40/SearchAwards.aspx Air Force Personnel Services: Unit Awards Air Force Personnel Center live 5 November 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181201092329/https://access.afpc.af.mil/AwardsDMZNet40/SearchAwards.aspx 2018-12-01 (search) AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1969 – 30 June 1970 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1972 – 30 June 1973 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1974 – 30 June 1975 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1975 – 30 June 1976 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1977 – 30 June 1978 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1980 – 30 June 1981 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1983 – 30 June 1985 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1985 – 30 June 1987 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1988 – 30 June 1990 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron AF OUA Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1990 – 30 June 1991 10th Airborne Command Control Squadron VGC Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm 8 April 1966 – 17 April 1967 10th Fighter Squadron, Commando Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes200px American Theater without inscription1 March 1942 – 31 March 194410th Air Corps Ferry Squadron (later 10th Transport Squadron)200px UN Summer-Fall Offensive9 July 1951 – 27 November 195110th Liaison Squadron200pxSecond Korean Winter28 November 1951 – 30 April 195210th Liaison Squadron200pxKorea Summer-Fall 19521 May 1952 – 30 November 195210th Liaison Squadron200pxThird Korean Winter1 December 1952 – 30 April 195310th Liaison Squadron200pxKorea Summer-Fall 19531 May 1953 – 27 July 195310th Liaison Squadron200pxVietnam Air8 April 1966 – 28 June 196610th Fighter Squadron, Commando200pxVietnam Air Offensive29 June 1966 – 8 March 196710th Fighter Squadron, Commando200pxVietnam Air Offensive, Phase II9 March 1967 – 17 April 196710th Fighter Squadron, Commando See also List of United States Air Force airborne command and control squadrons List of United States Air Force fighter squadrons List of Douglas C-47 Skytrain operators References Notes Explanatory notes Citations 30em Bibliography Craven, Wesley F Cate, James L http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329891/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-019.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20161220184358/http://media.defense.gov/2010/Nov/05/2001329891/-1/-1/0/AFD-101105-019.pdf dead 20 December 2016 17 December 2016 The Army Air Forces in World War II VI, Men & Planes 1955 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 Goss William A. 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 VI, Men & Planes 1955 University of Chicago Press Chicago, IL 704158 48003657 The Organization and its Responsibilities, Chapter 2 The AAF Endicott, Judy G. The USAF in Korea, Campaigns, Units and Stations 1950-1953 https://media.defense.gov/2010/May/26/2001330297/-1/-1/0/AFD-100526-045.pdf 17 December 2016 2001 Air Force Historical Research Agency Maxwell AFB, AL 0-16-050901-7 Fletcher Harry R Air Force Bases, Vol. II, Air Bases Outside the United States of America http://media.defense.gov/2010/May/25/2001330286/-1/-1/0/AFD-100525-060.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20161220183832/http://media.defense.gov/2010/May/25/2001330286/-1/-1/0/AFD-100525-060.pdf dead 20 December 2016 17 December 2016 1993 Center for Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-53-6 Futrell Robert F. The United States Air Forces in Korea 1950-1953 https://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329903/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-022.pdf 17 December 2016 1983 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-71-4 Mueller Robert Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330255/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-026.pdf 17 December 2016 1989 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-53-6 Ravenstein Charles A. Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave 17 December 2016 1984 Office of Air Force History Washington, DC 0-912799-12-9 registration Tambini Anthony J. Caso, Adolph F-5 Tigers over Vietnam https://books.google.com/books?id=JvANc4CpPnwC&q=skoshi+tiger&pg=PA12 5 November 2018 2014 Branden Books Wellesley, MA 978-0828320597 (link is to Google Books extract) http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/AFP900-2Vol1Bk1.pdf AF Pamphlet 900-2, Unit Decorations, Awards and Campaign Participation Credits 15 June 1971 Department of the Air Force Index Washington, DC 11 August 2016 4 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150804134135/http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/AFP900-2Vol1Bk1.pdf dead http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/AFP900-2Vol2.pdf AF Pamphlet 900-2, Unit Decorations, Awards and Campaign Participation Credits, Vol II 30 September 1976 Department of the Air Force Washington, DC 11 August 2016 4 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150804124603/http://www.usafpatches.com/pubs/AFP900-2Vol2.pdf dead https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/1-50/AFD-090602-073.pdf Historical Division, Air Transport Command Administrative History of the Ferrying Command, 29 May 1941 to 30 June 1942, USAF Historical Study No. 32 March 1955 Assistant Chief of Staff Intelligence, Historical Division 6 November 2018 External links https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/f-5c.htm F-5C/D Skoshi Tiger 7 July 2011 Globalsecurity.com 5 November 2018 http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_fighters/f5_5.html Baugher Joe Service of F-5A With USAF 1 January 2000 Joe Baugher 5 November 2018 Category:Air control squadrons of the United States Air Force Category:Command and control squadrons of the United States Air Force Category:American theater of World War II Category:Military units and formations established in 1969