1st Special Operations Group

The 1st Special Operations Group (1st SOG) is one of four groups assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

Mission
The group plans, prepares, and executes special operations and security assistance worldwide in support of theater commanders. In order to accomplish its special operations mission, the group employs fixed-wing and tilt-rotor aircraft to provide day or night, all-weather access to hostile and/or denied airspace.

Organizations

More than 1,400 people are assigned to the group. There are 8 squadrons within the group:
- 1st Special Operations Support Squadron
- 4th Special Operations Squadron, AC-130J Ghostrider Gunship
- 8th Special Operations Squadron, CV-22B Osprey
- 11th Special Operations Intelligence Squadron
- 15th Special Operations Squadron, MC-130H Combat Talon II
- 34th Special Operations Squadron, U-28A Draco
- 65th Special Operations Squadron, MQ-9 Reaper

Along with a standardization and evaluation division, weapons and tactics and administrative staff, the group stands ready to respond - "Any Time, Any Place."

Lineage
Established as 1st Special Operations Group on Sept, 21, 1992. Activated on Sept. 22, 1992. Redesignated 16th Operations Group on Oct. 1, 1993; 1st Special Operations Group on Nov. 16, 2006.

Assignments
1st Special Operations (later, 16th Special Operations then back to 1st Special Operations) Wing, Sept. 22, 1992-.

Stations
Hurlburt Field, Florida, Sept. 22, 1992 -.

Honors
Service Streamers
None

Campaign Streamers
None

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers
None

Decorations
Gallant Unit Citation
6 Oct 2001 - 30 May 2003

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
June 1, 1997 - May 31, 1999
July 1, 2003 - June 1, 2005
Sept. 1, 2006 - June 30, 2007

Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards
Sept, 22, 1992 - April 15, 1994
Jun 1, 1995 - May 31, 1997
June 1, 1997 - May 31, 1999
July 1, 1999 - June 30, 2001
July 1, 2001 - June 30, 2003
Sept, 1, 2004 - Aug. 31, 2006

Emblem
The emblem of the 1st SOG is that of the 1st SOW with the group designation in the scroll. It is symbolic of the organization's history and mission. The blue background represents the sky and the United States Air Force. The 13 red and white stripes stand for the nation's original 13 colonies, the first American force to engage in war to defend freedom. The silver dagger is winged to indicate the 1st SOW brings force through the air. A golden lamp of knowledge reflects the wing's civic action role and indicates that members of the 1st SOW serve as teachers, as well as warriors, in helping our allies determine their own way of life and form of government.

Units