20th Special Operations Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=20Special Operations Squadron


caption= 20th Special Operations Squadron Patch
dates= 2 March 1942 - 27 November 1945
9 July 1956 - 8 March 1960
24 September 1965 - 1 April 1972
1 January 1976 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Special Operations
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Force Special Operations Command
1st Special Operations Wing
1st Special Operations Group
current_commander=
garrison= Hurlburt Field
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Green Hornets
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The 20th Special Operations Squadron (20 SOS) is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates MH-53 Pave Low aircraft in support of special operations.

Mission

Conduct day or night low-level penetration into hostile enemy territory, to accomplish clandestine infiltration and exfiltration, aerial gunnery support and resupply of special operations forces throughout the world. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

History

The 20th trained for aerial reconnaissance from, March 1942–December 1943, then went on to fly combat missions in the China-Burma-India Theater from, 31 January 1944–5 May 1945. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0020sos.html AFHRA 20 SOS Page] ] The squadron was reactivated as the 20th Helicopter Squadron (HS) in 1956 to perform traditional helicopter missions with H-21s for the Tactical Air Command. In 1965, the unit's CH-3E helicopters were transferred to Southeast Asia and the squadron began participating in unconventional warfare and special operations as the Pony Express. In 1967, when joined by the UH-1F/P helicopters formerly assigned to Project Lucky Tiger, they became the "Green Hornets." It was on one of these 20 HS missions that Captain James P. Fleming earned the Medal of Honor for heroism during combat. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

The Green Hornets continued to perform unconventional warfare missions for seven years, until inactivation in 1972. Upon reactivation in 1976 at Hurlburt Field, the unit mission remained unconventional warfare and special operations using UH-1N gunships and CH-3Es. The HH-53H Pave Low replaced the CH-3E in 1980, providing a long range, heavier lift helicopter capability. The crews used the Pave Low avionics to arrive over target on time and undetected, where they performed terminal operations wearing night vision goggles. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

In 1983, the UH-1Ns began two years of support as part of then Vice President George Bush's South Florida Drug Enforcement Task Force, participating in Operation Bahamas, Antilles and Turks (BAT). The Op BAT Hueys flew hundreds of over-water missions from the Bahamas before transferring to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida] in 1985. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

In 1986, the 20th flew the specially equipped and highly capable MH-53H Pave Low and started flying the upgraded MH-53J Pave Low III in 1988. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

In December 1989, members of the 20 SOS were mobilized as part of a joint task force for Operation Just Cause, in Panama. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

The 20th was among the first units to deploy to Operation Desert Shield in August 1990, squadron crew members and aircraft led U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches in the air strike, opening the air war in Operation Desert Storm. A 20 SOS crew rescued U.S. Navy Lieutenant Devon Jones, logging the first successful combat rescue of a downed Airman since the Vietnam War. The crew earned the MacKay Trophy for their accomplishments. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

Squadron personnel deployed in support of Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti, providing support to a National Command Authority resolution. Members of the 20th, participating in operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, went into harms way in attempting a rescue of two downed French crewmen, receiving two Purple Heart Medals and the Cheney Award. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ] 20 SOS crews were also involved in the search and rescue operations resulting from the CT-43 crash in which Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and his party lost their lives. These same crews deployed shortly thereafter to support the American Embassy evacuations in Monrovia, Liberia - airlifting more than 2,000 evacuees to safety. The squadron deployed crews and aircraft to Southwest Asia in support of United States Central Command and Operation Desert Thunder in February 1998. The Pave Low gave the theater commander a night, all-weather personnel recovery capability, unparalleled in the U.S. inventory. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

In 1999, the Pave Low III's were upgraded to the MH-53M Pave Low IV. The M model brought more technology and superior avionics to the mission, furthering the capabilities and resources available to the crews flying the helicopter. These new technologies were battle tested during Operation Allied Force when the 20 SOS rescued downed pilots from an F-117 and an F-16, earning two Silver Stars and numerous Distinguished Flying Crosses. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

In 2001, the 20th was quick to respond in the initial recovery efforts at The Pentagon and Ground Zero in New York City supporting Operation Noble Eagle. Additionally, the 20th rapidly deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, engaging in the fight against terrorism in Afghanistan with continuing endeavors into Iraq as the Global War on Terror continues. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

To date, the Green Hornets have flown direct assaults on numerous high profile targets and effected the rescue and exfiltration of hundreds of US and allied soldiers. Included among these actions are the daylight medevac of 32 injured soldiers in the midst of a battle and the rescue of a downed aircrew deep in hostile territory, which earned the squadron its second MacKay Trophy. [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ]

=Operations [ [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20 SOS Fact Sheet] ] =

*World War II
*Vietnam War
*Operation Just Cause
*Operation Desert Shield
*Operation Desert Storm
*Operation Restore Democracy
*Operation Desert Thunder
*Operation Allied Force
*Operation Noble Eagle
*Operation Enduring Freedom
*Operation Iraqi Freedom

Lineage [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0020sos.html AFHRA 20 SOS Page] ]

*20th Observation Squadron (Light) (1942)
*20th Observation Squadron (1942 - 1943)
*20th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) (1943)
*20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron (1943 - 1956)
*20th Helicopter Squadron (1956 - 1968)
*20th Special Operations Squadron (1968 - Present)

Assignments [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0020sos.html AFHRA 20 SOS Page] ]

*76th Tactical Reconnaissance Group (1942 - 1943)
*III Reconnaissance Command (1943)
*5306th Photographic and Reconnaissance Group (Provisional) (1943 - 1944)
*8th Reconnaissance Group (1944 - 1945)
*Eighteenth Air Force (1956 - 1957)
*Ninth Air Force (1957 - 1960)
**Attached: 314th Troop Carrier Wing (1956 - 1959)
**Attached: 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (1959 - 1960)
*2d Air Division (1965 - 1966)
**Attached: 6250th Combat Support Group (10 December 1965 - 8 March 1966)
*14th Special Operations Wing (1966 - 1971)
*483d Tactical Airlift Wing (1971 - 1972)
*1st Special Operations Wing (1976 - Present)

Bases stationed [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0020sos.html AFHRA 20 SOS Page] ]

*Savannah Air Base, Georgia (1942)
*Pope Field, North Carolina (1942)
*Vichy Army Air Base, Missouri (1942 - 1943)
*Morris Field, North Carolina (1943)
*Key Field, Mississippi (1943)
*Camp Anza, California (1943)
*Bombay, India (1943)
*Deolali, India (1943 - 1944)
*Guskhara, India (1944)
*Kisselbari, India (1944)
*Myitkyina, Burma (1944 - 1945)
*Nagaghuli, India (1945)
*Dergaon, India (1945)
*Piardoba, India (1945)
*Camp Kilmer, New Jersey (1945)
*Sewart Air Force Base, Tennessee (1956 - 1959)
*Myrtle Beach Air Force Base, South Carolina (1959 - 1960)
*Tan Son Nhut Air Base, South Vietnam (1965 - 1966)
*Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam (1966 - 1969)
*Tuy Hoa Air Base, South Vietnam (1969 - 1970)
*Cam Ranh Air Base, South Vietnam (1970 - 1972)
*Hurlburt Field, Florida (1976 - Present)

Aircraft Operated [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0020sos.html AFHRA 20 SOS Page] ]

*A-20 Havoc (1942 - 1943)
*DB-7 Boston (1942 - 1943)
*L-1 Vigilant (1942 - 1943)
*L-4 Grasshopper (1942 - 1943)
*P-43 Lancer (1942 - 1943)
*P-40 Warhawk (1942 - 1945)
*L-5 Sentinel (1942 - 1945)
*B-25 Mitchell (1942 - 1945)
*P-51 Mustang (1945)
*H-21 Shawnee (1956 - 1960)
*CH-3E Sea King (1965 - 1969, 1976 - 1980)
*UH-1 Iroquois (1967 - 1972, 1976 - 1985)
*MH-53 Pave Low (1980 - Present)

References

Notes

Bibliography

* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0020sos.html USAF 20th Special Operations Squadron History]
* [http://www2.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3500 20th Special Operations Squadron Fact Sheet]

ee also