Mission
The 1st Special Operations Support Squadron is the backbone of the AFSOC mission, also the largest operations support squadron in the Air Force, providing worldwide combat capability to Air Force Special Operations Forces and the Joint Force. They enable global special operations through seven flights conducting precision execution of airfield operations, air traffic control, radar airfield weather systems, aircrew flight equipment, survival evasion resistance escape, physiology training, full spectrum intelligence, joint airdrop inspection, maritime operations, landing zone operations, opposition forces, operational medicine, host aviation records management, weather, and mission sustainment teams. The 1 SOSS is comprised of over 500 personnel in 75 AFSCs who oversee contingency and exercise air operations support utilizing more than $100M in state-of-the-art support equipment. The 1 SOSS is responsible for supporting the needs of a formal training squadron and for deploying personnel and equipment to provide worldwide command staff support for employment of eight special operations flying squadrons using AFSOC-unique aircraft.
Lineage
Constituted 1st Special Operations Support Squadron on 21 Sep 1992. Activated on 22 Sep 1992. Redesignated 16th Operations Support Squadron on 1 Oct 1993. Redesignated 1st Special Operations Support Squadron on 16 Nov 2006.
Assignments
1st Special Operations (later, 16th Operations) Group, 22 Sep 1992-15 Nov 2006. 1st Special Operations Group, 16 Nov 2006-.
Honors
Decorations
Gallant Unit Citation
6 Oct 2001 - 30 May 2003
Meritorious Unit Award
1 Oct 2011 - 30 Sep 2013
1 Oct 2013 - 30 Sep 2015
1 Oct 2015 - 30 Sep 2017
1 Oct 2017 - 30 Sep 2019
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Valor
1 Jun 1997 - 31 May 1999
1 Jul 2003 - 1 Jun 2005
1 Sep 2006 - 30 Jun 2007
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards
22 Sep 1992 - 15 Apr 1994
1 Jun 1995 - 31 May 1997
1 Jul 1999 - 30 Jun 2001
1 Jul 2001 - 30 Jun 2003
1 Sep 2004 - 31 Aug 2006
Emblem Significance
The 1st Special Operations Support Squadron emblem significance: Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The sphere in the center of the emblem represents the unit's worldwide commitment to support special operations. The lightning bolt surrounding the sphere alludes to unit's rapid response mission to employ forces anywhere around the world. The lightning bolt also represents the unit's responsibility in pursuit of excellence in providing command and control, planning, communications, intelligence, weather, airfield operations, and medical support in maintenance of AF Special Operations Forces. The dagger reflects the commitment by the unit to uphold the proud heritage of the air commandos.