Description
Computer made/mounted on velcro 3.0 inch-77mm
919th SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING
Lineage. Established as 919 Troop Carrier Group, Assault, and activated, on 15 Jan 1963. Organized in the Reserve on 11 Feb 1963. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 15 Dec 1965. Redesignated as 919 Tactical Airlift Group on 17 Jun 1971. Activated in the Reserve on 30 Jul 1971. Redesignated as: 919 Special Operations Group on 1 Jul 1975; 919 Special Operations Wing on 1 Aug 1992.
Assignments. 445 Troop Carrier (later, 445 Air Transport) Wing, 11 Feb 1963-15 Dec 1965. 459 Tactical Airlift Wing, 30 Jul 1971; Eastern Air Force Reserve Region, 1 Dec 1974; Tenth Air Force, 8 Oct 1976; Fourth Air Force, 1 Mar 1983; Tenth Air Force, 1 Jul 1994-.
Operational Components. Groups. 919 Operations: 1 Aug 1992-. Squadrons. 71 Special Operations: 1 Apr 1990-1 Aug 1992. 701 Troop Carrier: 11 Feb 1963-15 Dec 1965. 711 Tactical Airlift (later, 711 Special Operations): 30 Jul 1971-1 Aug 1992.
Stations. Memphis Muni Aprt, TN, 11 Feb 1963-15 Dec 1965. Eglin AF Aux Field #3 (Duke Field), FL, 30 Jul 1971-.
Aircraft. C-123, 1963-1965. C-130, 1971-; AC-130, 1975-1995; HH-3, 1990-1993; HC-130N/P (later, MC-130P), 1995-2008; MC-130E, 1995-; MQ-1, 2009-; U-28/PC-12, 2009-.
Operations. Trained for troop carrier duties, 1963-1965. Performed airlift of personnel and cargo, in addition to airdropping U.S. Army paratroopers during exercises, 1971-1974. In late 1974 began training for gunship operations, with close air support as a primary duty, but included ability to perform armed interdiction, reconnaissance, and escort, forward air control and combat search and rescue in conventional or unconventional warfare setting. Took part in MAJCOM (Major Command), joint, sister service, and international exercises. Provided range clearing support for missile launches at the Eastern Test Range, 1979-1989 and for NASA space shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral, 1981-1988. The 711 Special Operations Squadron (SOS) hit key facilities and provided cover for U.S. Army troops during the invasion of Panama, Dec 1989-Jan 1990. On 1 Apr 1990, gained 71 SOS located at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. Both squadrons participated in the conflict in Southwest Asia: the 71 SOS, flying HH-3s deployed 12 Jan-16 Mar 1991 and the 711 SOS, flying AC-130s, deployed 7 Feb-12 Mar 1991. In addition, the 711 SOS used their C-130s to fly cargo and passengers. Lost the 71 SOS on 1 Oct 1993 but, in late 1994, gained the 5 SOS. The 5 SOS began to receive their MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft in Apr 1995 and trained for special operations, inflight refueling of special operations helicopters, and resupply missions. The 711 SOS transitioned from AC-130 gunships to M-130E Combat Talon I aircraft beginning in Oct 1995 and trained for a primary mission of infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces. Periodically deployed personnel and aircraft to support special operations forces in contingency operations worldwide, in addition to numerous humanitarian deployments. The 919 Operations Group and 711 SOS provided the flight portion of MC-130E Combat Talon I training for both AFSOC and AFRC, 1 Oct 1997-. Over five hundred 919 Special Operations Wing (SOW) personnel were called to active duty for one year after terrorist attacked the United States on 11 Sep 2001; most of the personnel were extended on active duty for a second year. Supported Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and Willing Spirit, c. 2002-.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat “V” Device: 1 Feb 2001-31 Jan 2003. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 30 Jul 1971-31 Mar 1973; 1 Jul 1975-31 Jan 1977; 1 Oct 1983-1 Jun 1985; 1 Jun 1987-31 May 1989; 8 Dec 1989-7 Jan 1990; 1 Jun 1990-31 May 1992; 1 Jun 1992-31 May 1994; 1 Jun 1994-31 May 1996; 1 Jun 1996-31 May 1998; 1 Jun 1998-31 May 2000; 1 Feb-30 Sep 2003; 1 Oct 2003-31 Dec 2004; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2005; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2006; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2007; 1 Oct 2008-30 Jul 2010.
Emblem. Approved on 21 Aug 1980; newest rendition approved on 27 Nov 2007.