319th SOS wins AFSOC Squadron of the Year

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lauren Johnson
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The 319th Special Operations Squadron was awarded the Air Force Special Operations Command Squadron of the Year in a ceremony May 15.

It was standing room only in the squadron auditorium as Lt. Gen. Donny Wurster, AFSOC commander, presented the award to 319th SOS Commander Lt. Col. "J" Haynes.

"This award recognizes the hard work of every member of the 319th SOS," Colonel Haynes said.

In a major command that prides itself in ingenuity, selflessness and tenacity, the 319th SOS was a fitting recipient.

According to Colonel Haynes, the squadron stood up in 2006 as an answer to a specific shortfall in the Global War on Terrorism. Within months, they were flying combat missions in the U-28A, a special operations light-transport version of the civilian PC-12 Pilatus.

At the time, the squadron had 30 pilots. By the end of 2007, that number had tripled.

For most of 2007, the 319th SOS was the smallest flying squadron in the 1st Special Operations Wing, but they still managed to amass 60 percent of the wing's total flying hours, including more than 14,000 combat hours performing hazardous clandestine night infiltration, re-supply and exfiltration missions in support of the Global War on Terrorism.

"To go from being a squadron with a couple of airplanes to winning the AFSOC Squadron of the Year is amazing," General Wurster said.

The 319th SOS continues to grow rapidly, with an expected 300 percent personnel increase by the end of 2008.

"In a period of downsizing and fiscal constraints, this speaks volumes to the unit's contributions to our nation's ongoing war effort," the award package states.

"There's something about a small airplane with a dedicated crew with an important mission," General Wurster said. "You're making a difference in the battlefield to people who depend on you in life or death situations."

The specific needs of the customers in the battlefield are the reason the 319th SOS exists, Colonel Haynes said, and the squadron is able to more effectively answer their call through a hands-on approach to their aircraft. Squadron members were involved in the design, layout and battlespace integration of the U-28, as well as numerous current and future upgrades.

This interaction also helps the squadron maintain a 96 percent combat mission and 98 percent training mission effectiveness as well as a perfect safety record.

During 2007, the 319th SOS footprint spread across the Middle East. Many personnel were deployed in excess of 200 days, making the unit one of the most deployed in the Air Force.

Colonel Haynes credits the squadron's family support network for helping them maintain such a high operations tempo. At the ceremony, he thanked the spouses for "putting up with us at home, and for putting up with us not being home."

General Wurster echoed his sentiment.

"You're the modern day equivalent of pioneer women," he said to the attending spouses. "I salute you."

General Wurster also said the personal hand of leadership is evident in shaping the young squadron.

Senior Airman James Dean, recently named the 319th SOS Airman of the Year, said he has felt that hand personally.

"I've had help and been mentored every step of the way," he said. "Everything about the squadron is tremendous."

After just one full year of operations, the 319th SOS already appears to be well on its way to establishing an AFSOC legacy.

"If this is your first tour and you go on to other airframes," General Wurster said, "you'll remember this as the best squadron you've ever been in."