Wing reclaims family name

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Stuart Camp
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  The special operations wing at Hurlburt Field reclaimed it's "family name," in a redesignation ceremony Nov. 16.

With several dozen distinguished visitors in attendance, the 1st Special Operations Wing moniker returned to the home of the America's Air Commandos after a 13-year absence.

"This is a ceremony that, in my mind, is long overdue," said Lt. Gen. Michael Wooley, Air Force Special Operations Command commander. "Today, we're getting back our 'family' name - with the pride and strength of the bloodline."

During the 1 p.m. ceremony at the Hurlburt Field Air Park, General Wooley and Col. Norman Brozenick Jr., 16th SOW commander, furled and cased the flag of the 16th SOW. This action ended that unit's existence at Hurlburt Field. General Wooley then unfurled and presented Colonel Brozenick the 1st SOW Flag.

Known as the 16th SOW since Oct. 1, 1993, the unit traces its lineage back to the 1st Air Commando Group of the World War II Burmese theater.

The flag of the 16th SOW will fly again shortly, as the wing designation moves later this year to the new special operations unit at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M.