319th Special Operations Squadron

Mission
The 319th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) is to provide a manned, fixed-wing, on-call/surge capability for improved tactical airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in support of Special Operations Forces (SOF). To accomplish the mission, it uses the U-28A, a modified Pilatus PC-12. The aircraft has a crew of four. The plane was selected for its versatile performance and ability to operate from short and unimproved runway surfaces. It is certified to land on dirt and grass strips, and is equipped with weather radar and a suite of advanced communications and navigation gear.

Lineage
Constituted 319th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando) on 9 Aug 1944. Activated on 1 Sep 1944. Re-designated 319th Troop Carrier Squadron on 29 Sep 1945. Inactivated on 27 Dec 1945. Re-designated 319th Troop Carrier Squadron, Commando, and activated on 18 Apr 1962. Organized on 27 Apr 1962. Re-designated: 319th Air Commando Squadron, Troop Carrier, on 8 Nov 1964; 319th Air Commando Squadron, Tactical Airlift, on 1 May 1967; 319 Special Operations Squadron on 8 Jul 1968. Inactivated on 15 Jan 1972. Activated on 1 Oct 2005.

Assignments
1st Air Commando Group, 1 Sep 1944; 69th Composite Wing, 2 Sep 1945; Tenth Air Force, c. 27 Sep-27 Dec 1945. 1st Air Commando Group (later, 1st Air Commando Wing; 1st Special Operations Wing), 18 Apr 1962; 4410th Combat Crew Training Wing, 15 Jul 1969; 1st Special Operations Wing, 30 Jul 1969-15 Jan 1972. 16 Operations (later, 1 Special Operations) Group, 1 Oct 2005-

Stations
Asansol, India, 1 Sep 1944 (operated from various forward bases in Burma, 4 Dec 1944-17 May 1945); Warazup, Burma, 27 May 1945; Loping, China, 2 Sep 1945; Hu Hsien, China, 7 Oct 1945; India, c. 1 Nov-27 Dec 1945. Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field No. 9 (Hurlburt Field), FL, 27 Apr 1962; England AFB, LA, 15 Jan 1966; Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field No. 9 (Hurlburt Field), FL, 30 Jul 1969-15 Jan 1972. Hurlburt Field, FL, 1 Oct 2005-.

Aircraft
C-47, 1944-1945; CG-4A, 1944-1945. C-46, 1962-1964; C-47, 1962-1966; U-10, 1963-1966; C-123, 1963-1972; T-28, 1965; U-28A/PC-12, 2005-.

Operations
Provided airlift support and flew aerial resupply missions to commando bases in CBI theater; conducted airborne drop and glider operations for Allied troops in Burma, central China, and French Indo-China, Oct 1944-Oct 1945; not manned, Nov-Dec 1945. From 1962 to 1965, deployed personnel and equipment to support early counterinsurgency operations and foreign civic action programs in Southeast Asia. Conducted training programs in special air warfare tactics and techniques for USAF and foreign air forces; provided airlift support to U.S. Army Special Forces; and provided tactical airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of Special Operations Forces since 2005.

Honors
Service Streamers
None

Campaign Streamers
World War II
India-Burma
Central Burma
China Defensive
China Offensive

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers
None

Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor
1 Sep 2006 - 30 Jun 2007

Meritorious Unit Award
1 Oct 2011-30 Sept 2013
1 Oct 2013-30 Sept 2015

Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards
Jul 1963 - Jun 1965
1 Jul 1969 - 15 Apr 1971
[1 Oct 2005]-31 Aug 2006

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 dragon represents valiant defender, valor and protection.
The horse is symbolic of the unit's readiness for all employments.
The stylized globe symbolizes the squadron's area of operation being global in nature.
 

Units