1st SOW brings two units home

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Christopher Callaway
  • 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  After two years of planning the Airmen from the 9th Special Operations Squadron and 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron relocated from Eglin Air Force Base to Hurlburt Field AFB, Fla., May 20, 2013.

The relocation brings more than 400 personnel to Hurlburt Field and 8 MC-130p Combat Shadow Aircraft.

To commemorate the move, the two squadrons ran their guidons 14.7 miles with approximately 50 volunteers from the two units.

The run was a unique way for the squadrons to do something special to bring the flags from one base to another and commemorate their move instead of moving quietly, according to Capt. Michael Ward, a coordinator for the event from the 1st Special Operations Maintenance Squadron.

The run began early Monday morning with two groups of runners broken down into five sections, with each section running around three miles.

Each time the group reached their next point of transition someone new grabbed the guidons, ensuring the flags never stopped moving.

Even though both squadrons have been working under the 1st Special Operations Wing, they always faced the challenge of running smoothly being stationed on another base.

"We are very excited to be closer to our home unit," said Capt. Charles Thomas, executive officer for the 9th SOS. "We are here having some fun now, but we are also here looking to do some good things and just continue the effort we put in at Eglin."

Prior to the move, all the maintenance support units and supplies except the 1st SOMXS were located on Hurlburt Field, adding time to the work day because the need to going back and forth for between the two bases for supplies to accomplish the mission safely and correctly.

The ceremony held at the Shadow Nose Dock Hangar on base signaled the end of such challenges and was the official time both units reported for duty for the first time on Hurlburt Field.

"This has never been your home, but you always felt like it was and so did we," said Col. Jim Slife, commander of 1st SOW. "We have been waiting for you for about 23 years--welcome home."