8th Special Operations Squadron: Difference between revisions
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It was decided that the A-24 aircraft was unsuitable for dive-bombing land combat against the Japanese. The Japanese, possessing air superiority, easily dealt with the dive-bombers and the handful of inferior fighter escorts. After losing eleven A-24s and their two-man crews, the 3d Bombardment Group called off further dive-bomber missions from Jackson Field. They were withdrawn from New Guinea after it was realized that they were not suited for their intended role without adequate fighter protection and they were desperately in need of adequate workshop facilities and spares backup that were unavailable.<ref name="H8BS"/> |
It was decided that the A-24 aircraft was unsuitable for dive-bombing land combat against the Japanese. The Japanese, possessing air superiority, easily dealt with the dive-bombers and the handful of inferior fighter escorts. After losing eleven A-24s and their two-man crews, the 3d Bombardment Group called off further dive-bomber missions from Jackson Field. They were withdrawn from New Guinea after it was realized that they were not suited for their intended role without adequate fighter protection and they were desperately in need of adequate workshop facilities and spares backup that were unavailable.<ref name="H8BS"/> |
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In May 1942, the 8th was without any aircraft, and the men of the squadron settled down to enjoy the rumor that eventually it would receive A-20 Havocs. Capt. Galusha, acting as Commander, obtained three A-20Cs from the 89th Squadron and proceeded to check out the crews on the A-20. Hopes were high that the squadron would be re-equipped and everyone was expecting action in the not-too distant future. Their expectations would soon turn to disillusionment as the planes did not arrive -- with a negative impact to morale. The crews flew with the 89th in their two borrowed A-20s flying missions, but the unit remained without aircraft until March 1943. Despite this the 8th's crews distinguished themselves flying with the 89th Squadron.<ref name="H8BS"/> |
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By spring of 1943, the war was shifting to the Allies advantage. On April 10, 1943 a new base was established across the Owen Stanley Mountains at Dobodura, New Guinea...the first Bombardment Squadron to be stationed at a spot where the Japanese had been defeated and forced to vacate. In April 1943, the 8th moved alone to Dobodura and achieved the distinction of being the first bombardment unit on the other side of the Owen-Stanley range -- in fact, the 8th Squadron and the 49th Fighter Group were the only tactical outfits on that side of the Range. The 8th Squadron moved alone from Moresby to Dobodura, and in doing so probably became the first organization to be moved entirely by air. <ref name="H8BS"/> |
By spring of 1943, the war was shifting to the Allies advantage. On April 10, 1943 a new base was established across the Owen Stanley Mountains at Dobodura, New Guinea...the first Bombardment Squadron to be stationed at a spot where the Japanese had been defeated and forced to vacate. In April 1943, the 8th moved alone to Dobodura and achieved the distinction of being the first bombardment unit on the other side of the Owen-Stanley range -- in fact, the 8th Squadron and the 49th Fighter Group were the only tactical outfits on that side of the Range. The 8th Squadron moved alone from Moresby to Dobodura, and in doing so probably became the first organization to be moved entirely by air. <ref name="H8BS"/> |
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Revision as of 17:24, 7 May 2013
| 8th Special Operations Squadron | |
|---|---|
 8th Special Operations Squadron CV-22 flies over Florida's Emerald Coast | |
| Active | 21 June 1917 - Present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Special Operations |
| Size | Squadron |
| Part of |  Air Force Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Hurlburt Field, Florida |
| Engagements |
|
| Decorations |  DUC PUC  GUC  AFOUA w/V Device _Streamer.png){kind=small} PPUC  ROK PUC  RVGC w/ Palm |
| Insignia | |
| Identification symbol |  |
The 8th Special Operations Squadron (8 SOS) is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The squadron is equipped with the CV-22 Osprey in support of special operations.[1]
The 8 SOS is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force, being organized as the 8th Aero Squadron on 21 June 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron deployed to France and fought on the Western Front during World War I, equipped with United States-built Dayton-Wright DH-4, being used as reconnaissance aircraft.[2]
During World War II, the squadron fought in the Southwest Pacific Area with Fifth Air Force as an attack and later B-25 Mitchell medium bomber squadron. During the Cold War, it fought in the Korean War with B-26 Invader medium bombers and Vietnam War as a B-57 Canberra medium bomber and later as an Air Commando squadron with A-37 Dragonfly counter-insurgency aircraft.Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. [3]
Mission
The primary mission of the 8 SOS is insertion, extraction, and re-supply of unconventional warfare forces and equipment into hostile or enemy-controlled territory using airland or airdrop procedures.[4]
History
The 8th Special Operations Squadron can trace its history to 21 June 1917 when the 8th Aero Squadron was organized at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron has an unbroken history of over 95 years of service to the United States.
World War I
- see 8th Aero Squadron for an expanded history of its World War I operations
The 8th Aero Squadron was drawn from enlisted personnel of the 2d Company "I" Provisional avation camp, Kelly Field, Texas. After a short period of training at Kelly Field, the squadron boarded a train and was moved to Selfridge Field, Michigan, on 5 July. Together with the 9th Aero Squadron, the 8th helped to construct the new flying field. For three and one-half months, the 8th Aero Squadron was engaged in training. Flight Cadets, Aviation Mechanics, fitters and riggers learned their basic skills. At Selfridge, the flight cadets completed primary aviation flight training, including soloing on Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" trainers.[2]
Serving in France on the Western Front, the 8th Aero Squadron served as a Corps Observation (Reconnaisssance) squadron. It arrived at the front at Ourches Aerodrome on 31 July 1918 and was assigned to the IV Corps Observation Group, First Army on 14 August. The squadron was engaged in operations in the Toul Sector, Chateau Thierry offensive, Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensives. It suffered twelve casualties, consisting of four killed and eight airmen taken prisoner.[2]
The squadron returned to the United States on 3 May 1919, and largely demobilized at Mitchel Field, New York, and returned to civilian life. A small cadre of the unit remained in the Air Service, and were assigned to Kelly Field, Texas.[5]
Intra-War period
Upon its arrival at Kelly Field, the squadron was reorganized to a peacetime strength manning of two flights. At Kelly, the 8th, along with the 12th, 13th and 90th Aero Squadrons were formed into the Army Surveillance Group on 1 July 1919. The group was re-designated the 3d Attack Group on 2 July 1921.[6]
Mexican Border patrol
The mission of the Army Surveillance Group (ASG) was to carry out observation overflights along the Mexican Border. During this period, Mexico was enduring a period of revolution and unrest, which led to border violations and the deaths of American citizens. New personnel for the squadron were transferred from Rockwell Field, California, and the squadron was equipped with new surplus Dayton-Wright DH-4 aircraft. After being manned and equipped, the squadron was then divided into two flights: one at Kelly Field and "A" Flight being sent to McAllen, Texas, along the Rio Grande in South Texas. [6]
At McAllen, an airfield had to be established. Land was first cleared by a construction squadron and by 18 August, they had succeeded in clearing off enough cactus and mesquite for a landing strip that was suitable for safe landings. Also, the engineers had put up seven tent hangars and several framed tent structures for the personnel. The first border reconnaissance flight was made by this flight of the Squadron on 29 July and as fast as planes could be assembled at Kelly Field and flown to the new airfield, border patrol work started. [6]
Squadron Headquarters and Flight "B" remained at Kelly Field until 13 August 1919, when Flight "B" left for Laredo, Texas, and Headquarters, consisting of two officers and 17 men, joined Flight "A" at McAllen. "B" Flight consisted of six DH-4s which had been assembled at Kelly Field and were flown down to Laredo when the Flight was ready to operate. Work of building a permanent camp at both flight stations was started at once, after their arrival at their respective stations. Seven buildings were erected at McAllen and about the same number was erected at Laredo. During March 1920, new DH-4B's, were ferried down to McAllen and Laredo by Kelly Field pilots. They were specially good for observation and liaison purposes since the new arrangements of cockpits put the pilot and observer close together.[6]
Still flying the DH-4, the squadron returned to Kelly Field On 20 June 1921, when the situation in Mexico stabilized. All personnel and material was ordered returned from Laredo and McAllen to Kelly Field, with the exception of three caretakers at each station which proceeded to close down the airfields. [6]
8th Squadron (Attack)
Upon their return to Kelly Field, both flights of the squadron were consolidated on 2 July 1921 and the last personnel from both detachments returned. The squadron was re-designated as an Attack squadron and received a Boeing GA-1 bi-motored tri-plane. It was designed especially to strafe ground troops while remaining immune to attack from the ground as well as from other enemy aircraft. However, it was found during service testing that it was so well armored its five-ton weight proved excessive. [6]
On 26 May 1922, a long-distance one-man non-stop record was set when Lt. Crocker when he made a non-stop flight from the Mexican Gulf Coast to the Canadian Border, an approximate distance of 1200 miles, to demonstrate the mobility of the Air Service. The course was from Ellington Field, Texas to the waters of the Gulf thence to the Canadian border just below Detroit, Michigan, landing at Selfridge Field. This distance was greater than from some other cities along the Gulf, but since a large field was necessary for the heavily-laden plane to take off, Ellington Field was selected as the starting point. The plane used was a special built DH-4 and designated as DH-4B1S. The main tank had a gas capacity of 240 gallons and the reserve 28) gallons, with a 24 gallon tank for oil. Taking off from Ellington, he landed at Selfridge after 11 hours and 55 minutes in the air.[6]
In June 1922, the squadron provided flood-relief in the lower Rio Grande Valley. A commendable piece of work was done by Lt. Selzer in July, 1922, in connection with the Rio Grande flood at McAllen, Texas, in carrying mail to towns without the, usual rail connections, assisting in locating marooned parties caught by the rapid rising waters of the Rio Grande River, and in cooperating with the other military authorities of that station during the critical time.[6]
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On 28 June 1926 the squadron moved from Kelly Field to Fort Crockett in Galveston, Texas. The organization's planes with necessary personnel were flown, in advance. The remaining troops were convoyed by truck. During it stay at Fort Crockett, the group was called on often during its nine-year state at Fort Crocket to participate in air maneuvers, demonstrations and air races.[6]
During this time the squadron flew many types of aircraft. These aircraft included Douglas O-2 1926-1928; Curtiss A-3 Falcon 1928-1934; Curtiss A-12 Shrike 1934-1936 (including Curtis A-8s & O-19s during 1932-1936); and the Northrop A-17 1936-1940. The squadron participated in a great amount of work in connection with experiment, practice and development of aviation in in general and attack aviation in particular. It progressed from the DH-4B type aircraft to the A-12, which was the immediate forerunner of the Northrup A-17 and A-17A. At Fort Crockett the squadron began flying the Curtis A-3 Falcon in 1926. It boasted four forward firing .30-caliber machine guns and another two on a flexible mount in the rear cockpit. Powered by a 430-horsepower engine, the Falcon could carry 200 pounds of bombs attached to wing racks. Although carrying a lighter bomb load, the A-3 proved better in the attack role than the DH-4. The A-3B replaced the A-3. In 1934 the aircraft would be used to carry mail. [6]
The 3rd Attack Group resumed border patrols briefly again in 1929, after unrest erupted in Mexico. It deployed 18 of its aircraft on patrol along the Mexican border with Arizona in early April. The patrols lasted until early May when the situation in Mexico stabilized. After the border patrols ended, the squadron resumed its training activities at Fort Crockett. [6]
On 5 January 1932 the organization received its first A-12 attack airplane from the Curtis factory. By the last of January the Squadron had ten A-12s and four A-3Bs assigned. By late 1932, the squadron had upgraded to the Curtis A-8 Shrike. The low-wing monoplane represented the rapid advance in aircraft technology being achieved despite the economic difficulties of the Great Depression. It carried 400 pounds of bombs and was armed with five .30-caliber machine guns. The 8th received the A-12 Shrike, an improved version of the A-8, the next year. [6]
On 12 February 1934, in compliance with Executive Order 6591, dated 9 February 1934, the organization began preparation for duty in connection with carrying the Air Mail. The Army Air Corps agreed to carry the US mail following a government dispute with the commercial carriers. When the Air Corps started to carry the mail in 1934 the 8th was one of the first Squadrons selected to be used in this capacity. On 15 May, the Army terminated its connection with the carrying of the mail and personnel and planes began returning to station and the Squadron returned to its routine duties.[6]
On 1 March 1935 the Squadron moved by train with the Group to Barksdale Field, Shreveport, Louisiana at which time it became a part of the General Headquarters Air Force (GHQ AF) and became a Service Test Organization. The Squadron went immediately into a strenuous and successful training period which included formation flying, attack and aerial gunnery, bombing night flying and many navigation missions. The squadron continued in this capacity until October 1940 and during this period participated in all the major field exercises and tactical maneuvers through out the country.[6]
In 1937, the squadron received 13 Curtis A-18 Shrike II's. This two-engine attack plane represented a technological advance. It carried 20 fragmentation bombs in the fuselage and up to four 100-pound bombs under its wings. Four .30-caliber machine guns mounted in the nose provided concentrated fire for strafing ground targets. It performed well, wining the Harmon Trophy for gunnery and bombing accuracy during its first year of operations. [6]
8th Bombardment Squadron
The Army re-designated the 8th Attack Squadron as the 8th Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 15 September 1939. In September 1939, the Squadron was assigned the Douglas B-18A Bolo. It was a Douglas light Bomber powered by twin-engined Wright Cyclones. On 31 January 1940, the squadron was split in half, both officers and enlisted men leaving to form the 15th Bomb Squadron of the 27th Bomb Group at Barksdele Field, Louisiana.[6]
On 6 October 1940, the Squadron received orders to pack supplies and equipment for a change of station to Savannah, Georgia. One officer and 100 enlisted men departed from Barksdale Field on troop train, while 11 officers and 54 enlisted men departed by privately owned vehicles. The men by troop train arrived at Savannah, Georgia on October 8 and set up at the Municipal Airport. The remainder of the personnel arrived on 19 October and the Squadron began ferrying aircraft to the National Guard Armory. By 20 October, equipment was set up and operations begun. The airfield was officially named Savannah Air Base. [6]
It moved to Hunter Field, Georgia in October 1940. The Eighth continued in this training capacity until October 1940 and during this period participated in all major field exercises and tactical maneuvers though out the country. The 3d Bombardment Group spent its time at Hunter Field flying anti-submarine patrols and practicing low-level attacks against shipping off the Atlantic Coast. [6]
At Hunter Field, the squadron converted to the Douglas A-20A Havoc. The 8th was the first USAAF squadron to receive the new aircraft, which was a low- and medium-altitude attack bomber designed to provide close air support to infantry forces. The A-20, which the group would fly during Word War II, represented a considerable technological advance. The A-20A carried 1,100 pounds of bombs and was armed with four 30-caliber nose mounted machine guns and another five in turrets. [6]
The Squadron was also assigned a small number of Douglas A-24 Banshee dive bombers, which was the Army's version of the Navy SBD carrier-based dive bomber. It was almost identical to its Navy counterpart, and represented the Army's method of playing catch-up to the Luftwaffe, whose Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers during the offensives against Poland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Holland and France at the beginning of the Second World War sparked a renewed interest in dive bombing on the part of the USAAF.[6]
World War II
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the 3d Bombardment Group prepared for deployment to the Pacific Theater. The squadron's A-20A Havocs were transferred to other units, and the 8th Bomb Squadron was ordered to deploy to Australia, equipped with the Douglas A-24 Banshee dive bombers. Acting on secret orders the Squadron moved to California. and shortly thereafter boarded the USAT Ancon on 31 January 1942 bound for Australia. They arrived in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on 25 February 1942 as the first U.S. troops to reach Australia.[6]
Operations from Australia
Upon the squadron's arrival in Brisbane, its aircraft had not yet arrived. The ground crews were pressed into service as ground crews for the 19th Bombardment Group's B-17F Flying Fortresses. Since the 3d Bomb Group had no aircraft available and since additional training was necessary, it did not begin operations immediately. On 6 March, the Squadron moved to Charters Towers, where an airfield and a camp were hurriedly built (Breddan Airfield) while the air crews trained with their A-24 dive bombers. On 31 March, the air echelon flew north to Port Moresby, New Guinea and the 8th was again at war. On 1 April 1942 the 3d Bomb Group flew their first combat mission of World War II. Six A-24's were headed for Japanese Lae Airfield in Eastern New Guinea. Lae was socked in by weather so they diverted to Salamaua and attacked Japanese forces occupying the town. They dropped 5 bombs in their first combat mission since November 1918.[6]
Combat missions from Charters Towers were conducted by staging through Kila Kila Airfield (also known as 3-Mile Drome), near near Port Moresby. Planes would be flown by pilots, accompanied by gunners, from Charters Towers to Kila Kila where they would be refueled, armed, and then fly on to their targets. An air echelon consisting of personnel from engineering, armament, communication, mess and operations sections would travel by boat from Townsville, on the north-eastern coast of Queensland to Port Moresby. Members of the air echelon would remain at Kila Kila from two weeks to three months at a time. All other men in the squadron stayed at Charters Towers. [6]
While at Charters Towers the squadron received some B-25C Mitchell medium bombers during the last week of March that had been ordered by the Netherlands East Indies Air Force before the war. There were 12 of them that were flown by Air Transport Command to Australia sitting idle as the NEI had surrendered to the Japanese. These aircraft were immediately "requisitioned" by the USAAF in the desperate attempt to halt the Japanese advance toward Port Moresby. It was agreed that the Dutch government would be credited accordingly, or else the planes would be replaced on a one-to-one basis by later deliveries. The Eighth flew the B-25s primarily against harbors and barge hunting, but also for weather reconnaissance or anti-submarine searches. The crews initially formed to fly the B-25s consisted of personnel that for the most part had previous experience on Martin B-10 bombers.[6]
Battle of New Guinea
The Squadron moved to Jackson Airfield (7 Mile Drone), Port Moresby, New Guinea on 31 March 1942 after the Japanese advance was thwarted. Thirteen A-24s left Charters Towers for Moresby via Cooktown Airport, Queensland. At Cooktown, three turned back because of excessive oil consumption; two became mired in the mud. These five all returned to Charters Towers within 48 hours. The other eight made the 430 mile over-water flight to Port Moresby. They landed at 7 Mile Airdrome at 21:15. During the period from 21 April 21 to 5 May, constant changes in strength of enlisted personnel were being made as men whose health was suffering from the tropical climate there returned to Charters Towers and others were called up as the situation demanded.[6]
On 4 April 1942. Colonel Davies led the crews of 12 B-25s on an 800-mile round trip strike from Port Moresby against the Japanese at Gasmata Airfield on the southern coast of New Britain in the Solomon Islands. Because of the distance, only four 300-pound bombs could be carried. The raid caught the Japanese by surprise. The American airmen succeeded in destroying 30 Japanese aircraft on the ground. For the first time, in what had been a one-sided air war in favor of the Japanese, the Americans had inflicted heavy losses without losing any of its own men.[6]
However, the B-25's as high level bombers were flying without escort fighters. Although better armed were still treated badly by swarms of Zeros. On 24 May 6 B-25s attacked Lae Airfield and one of them came back. Harassing missions were flown out of Jackson Field with the A-24s until 29 July when an eight ship convoy was spotted 50 miles north of Buna, Papua New Guinea. Five of seven A-24s that had taken off to attack the convoy were shot down by enemy fighter planes. They initially had an escort of P-39's. Somewhere over the Owen Stanley Mountains they lost their escort and decided to go in with out them. Subsequently, they ran into 24 Japanese fighters over Buna. In the succeeding battle against overwhelming Zero odds and shattering anti-aircraft fire the Squadron suffered heavy losses.[6]
It was decided that the A-24 aircraft was unsuitable for dive-bombing land combat against the Japanese. The Japanese, possessing air superiority, easily dealt with the dive-bombers and the handful of inferior fighter escorts. After losing eleven A-24s and their two-man crews, the 3d Bombardment Group called off further dive-bomber missions from Jackson Field. They were withdrawn from New Guinea after it was realized that they were not suited for their intended role without adequate fighter protection and they were desperately in need of adequate workshop facilities and spares backup that were unavailable.[6]
In May 1942, the 8th was without any aircraft, and the men of the squadron settled down to enjoy the rumor that eventually it would receive A-20 Havocs. Capt. Galusha, acting as Commander, obtained three A-20Cs from the 89th Squadron and proceeded to check out the crews on the A-20. Hopes were high that the squadron would be re-equipped and everyone was expecting action in the not-too distant future. Their expectations would soon turn to disillusionment as the planes did not arrive -- with a negative impact to morale. The crews flew with the 89th in their two borrowed A-20s flying missions, but the unit remained without aircraft until March 1943. Despite this the 8th's crews distinguished themselves flying with the 89th Squadron.[6]
The 8th was finally supplied with Douglas A-20C Havoc aircraft in August 1942. They returned to Australia for a short time to train in this new type of aircraft. On 28 September 1942, the Squadron was re-designated as the 8th Bombardment Squadron (Dive). [6]
By spring of 1943, the war was shifting to the Allies advantage. On April 10, 1943 a new base was established across the Owen Stanley Mountains at Dobodura, New Guinea...the first Bombardment Squadron to be stationed at a spot where the Japanese had been defeated and forced to vacate. In April 1943, the 8th moved alone to Dobodura and achieved the distinction of being the first bombardment unit on the other side of the Owen-Stanley range -- in fact, the 8th Squadron and the 49th Fighter Group were the only tactical outfits on that side of the Range. The 8th Squadron moved alone from Moresby to Dobodura, and in doing so probably became the first organization to be moved entirely by air. [6]
On 5 Feb 1944, the unit moved to Nadzab, New Guinea. On 1 February 1944, the Squadron had a strength of 40 officers and 270 enlisted men with 17 A-20Gs and 1 B-25D1. This included 19 trained combat pilots and 39 trained combat gunners and photographers. The group moved to Hollandia on 7 May 1944 as the Japanese gave way to repeated assaults on their New Guinea strongholds. The 3rd Bomb Group carried out strikes against Japanese shipping, struck airfields at low-level and supported Army landings at Wakde and Biak Islands off the northwest coast of Dutch New Guinea during May. [6]
Philippines Campaign
In November 1944, the 8th again prepared to move -- this time to Dulag, Leyte, Philippines on November 15, 1944 with 20 officers and 177 enlisted men. These men boarded an LST for the P.I. while 19 officers and 34 enlisted men remained at Hollandia. Upon arrival in the Philippines the 8th continued to fly missions against the enemy in support of ground force action. On 1 November there were 16 serviceable A-20Gs and 1 serviceable B-25J airplanes. On 30 November there were 15 serviceable A-20Gs. While based in the Philippines, the unit attacked shipping off the northwest coast of Luzon, flew missions in support of landings at Subic Bay, provided support for the recapture of Manila and Bataan, and cooperated with allied ground forces in bombing enemy held areas on Luzon and adjacent islands. The Group moved again to San Jose, Mindoro, Philippines on December 30, 1944. [6]
The first day of August 1945 found the water echelon on the high seas enroute to Okinawa, while the air echelon remained at San Jose, Mindoro. The water echelon arrived on 6 August at Sobe, Okinawa and the air echelon arrived on 7 August. From the the 6th of August until hostilities ceased on the 12th of August, the 8th was flying missions as part of a group effort against strategic targets on Kyushu and Honshu. When peace came the 8th was transferred to the island of Honshu. In July 1945, the unit was re-equipped with the Douglas A-26Bs Invader (later redesignated as B-26s after the B-26 Marauder was decommissioned) along with its A-20Hs. [6]
Japanese occupation duty
The war ended on 15 Aug 1945. The first US personnel from the 3rd Bomb Group to touch down at Atsugi were four 3rd Bomb Group commanders and former commanders, Colonels John P. Henebry, Richard H. Ellis, Charles Howe and Lt Col Stan Kline. The four gunners were Sergeant Cliff Britian, Sergeant Joe Watkins, Staff Sergeant Jim Lynch and Staff Sergeant Sam Hagenbush. They landed their A-26s at Atsugi Field, Japan on 31 August 1945. This landing was not without controversy as other units claimed the folks were "grandstanding."[6]
Cold War
Special operations mission
The 8th became the U.S.-based operator of the MC-130 Combat Talon in 1974, and provided five of the eight Talon crews participating in Operation Eagle Claw. Its members crewed the lead Talon and all three of the EC-130E refuelers on the Night One mission to "Desert One", and was to crew the four Talons of the Night Two phase of the Iranian hostage rescue attempt in April 1980. During that mission, five members of the squadron lost their lives. The squadron received its motto "with the guts to try" from this operation.[7]
The squadron was called on again in October 1983 to lead the way in the rescue of American students endangered on the island of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury). After long hours of flight, the aircrew members faced intense ground fire to airdrop Army Rangers on time, on target. They subsequently followed up with three psychological operations leaflet drops designed to encourage the Cubans to discontinue the conflict. [7]
Members of the 8th SOS were mobilized in December 1989 as part of a joint task force for Operation Just Cause in the Republic of Panama. Following the conflict, it was an 8th SOS MC-130 Combat Talon I that flew General Manuel Noriega back to the United States to stand trial. [7]
Operation Desert Shield commenced in August 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The 8th SOS was deployed to Saudi Arabia as a deterrent against the Iraqi threat to its southern neighbor. In January 1991, when Iraq failed to comply with United Nations directives to withdraw from Kuwait, the proven skills of the 8th SOS were called on once again as Operation Desert Shield escalated into Operation Desert Storm. The 8th SOS played a pivotal role in the success of coalition forces as they liberated Kuwait by dropping 11 15,000-pound BLU-82 bombs and 23 million leaflets and conducting numerous aerial refuelings of special operations helicopters. [7]
The U.S. Air Force relies on the proven abilities of the 8th SOS as is evident by its deployments in support of Operations Provide Promise and Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia, Operation Assured Response in Liberia and Operation Southern Watch in Saudi Arabia. Even Hollywood relied on the crews of the 8th in the 1997 hit movie "Air Force One." [7]
When the World Trade Center fell on September 11th, 2001, the 8 SOS was propelled into Operation Enduring Freedom in late 2001. The squadron was nearly completely deployed, operating from several locations in Afghanistan simultaneously to unseat the Taliban rulers and install the interim government. The 8th supports operations by re-supplying Special Operations Forces operators in the field, refueling helicopters, and landing at short unprepared fields all over the country. When Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off in 2003, the 8th was once again at the forefront. Its crews were some of the first to cross the border as hostilities began. Such a high operations tempo led to the 8th SOS being the Air Force's most deployed active-duty squadron in 2002 and 2003.[7]
The 8th SOS opened a new chapter in its distinguished history when it transitioned from the MC-130 Combat Talon I to the CV-22 Osprey in August 2006. Development of the CV-22 Osprey stems directly from the 1980 failed Iran hostage rescue attempt. After three decades of development and testing, the CV-22 passed its final exam with the completion of initial operational test and evaluation flown by the 8th SOS crew. The CV-22 fulfills the unique Air Force requirement for a platform capable of long-range, infiltration and exfiltration to targets located anywhere in the world. 8th SOS crews continually train to bring tilt-rotor technology into the battlefield against our nation's worst enemies. With the combined ability to fly at C-130 speeds and land to austere landing areas like a helicopter, the Osprey brings a revolutionary capability to combatant commanders. [7]
In 2008, the 8th SOS logged over 190 transoceanic flight hours during a self-deployment to the nation of Mali supporting U.S. Africa Command's Flintlock exercise. In 2009, 8th SOS crews deployed to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, where they delivered 40,000 pounds of critical food and medical supplies to remote Honduran villages. During the same year the 8th SOS culminated its years of testing and evaluation with its first-ever combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, 8th SOS crews flew 123 total missions, of which 45 were direct assaults against known enemy insurgents. [7]
In June 2009, the 8th delivered humanitarian supplies to Honduras. In November 2009, the 8th returned from a three-month deployment in Iraq.[8]
In 2010, the 8th SOS deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment, 8 SOS crews flew 875 combat sorties, 642 direct assault sorties, infiltrated 4069 SOF assaulters, transported 284 terrorists and high-value targets and delivered over 87,000 pounds of supplies to allied forces. [7]
Lineage
- Organized as 8th Aero Squadron on 21 June 1917
- Re-designated: 8th Aero Squadron (Corps Observation), 31 July 1918
- Re-designated: 8th Aero Squadron, 3 May 1919
- Re-designated: 8th Surveillance Squadron, 25 May 1919
- Re-designated: 8th Squadron (Attack) 14 March 1921
- Re-designated: 8th Attack Squadron on 25 January 1923
- Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 15 December 1939
- Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 28 September 1942
- Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 25 May 1943
- Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron, Light, c. Aprril 1944
- Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron, Light, Night Intruder, on 25 June 1951
- Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron, Tactical, on 1 October 1955
- Re-designated: 8th Attack Squadron on 18 November 1969
- Re-designated: 8th Special Operations Squadron on 30 September 1970
- Re-designated: 8th Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1973
- Re-designated: 8th Special Operations Squadron on 1 March 1974.[1]
Assignments
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Stations
- World War I
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- Intra-War Period
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- World War II
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- United States Air Force
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Aircraft
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Operations
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^ a b c d e 8 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)
- ^ a b c Series "E", Volume 9, History of the 1st and 8th Aero Squadrons. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
- ^ ISBN 0-89201-097-5
- ^ a b 8 SOS Fact Sheet
- ^ Army Air Service Order of Battle 1919-1941
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai History, 8th Bombardment Squadron (L), 3d Bombardment Group (L) AAF, 31 May 1917 - 31 March 1944
- ^ a b c d e f g h i 8th Special Operations Squadron Factsheet
- ^ Moore, Mona. "CV-22s return from first deployment with 8th SOS Homecoming". nwfdailynews.com, 12 November 2009.
External links
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- Use dmy dates from March 2012
- Military units and formations in Florida
- United States Air Force units and formations in the Korean War
- Special operations squadrons of the United States Air Force
- Aviation units and formations of the United States in World War I
- United States Army Air Service World War I Combat Units
- Aviation in World War I