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Home > Fact Sheets > 8 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)
8 SPECIAL OPERATIONS SQUADRON (AFSOC)
Posted 8/8/2008
Printable Fact Sheet
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In accordance with Chapter 3 of AFI 84-105, commercial reproduction of this emblem is NOT permitted without the permission of the proponent organizational/unit commander.
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Lineage. Organized as 8 Aero Squadron on 21 Jun 1917. Redesignated: 8 Squadron (Surveillance) c. Jun 1921; 8 Squadron (Attack) c. Nov 1921; 8 Attack Squadron on 25 Jan 1923; 8 Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 15 Sep 1939; 8 Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 28 Sep 1942; 8 Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 25 May 1943; 8 Bombardment Squadron, Light, c. Apr 1944; 8 Bombardment Squadron, Light, Night Intruder, on 25 Jun 1951; 8 Bombardment Squadron, Tactical, on 1 Oct 1955; 8 Attack Squadron on 18 Nov 1969; 8 Special Operations Squadron on 30 Sep 1970; 8 Fighter Squadron on 1 Jul 1973; 8 Special Operations Squadron on 1 Mar 1974.
Assignments. Headquarters Camp Kelly, 21 Jun 1917; Headquarters Selfridge Aviation Field, 8 Jul 1917; Headquarters Aviation Concentration Depot, 28 Oct 1917; Headquarters American Rest Camp, 8 Dec 1917; Headquarters American Air Service Camp, 1 May 1918; I Corps Observation Training Center, 30 Jul 1918; IV Corps Observation Group, 31 Aug 1918 (attached to 1 Division, 8-14 Sep 1918); VI Corps Observation Group, 23 Oct 1918; Advanced Section Services of Supply, 5 Feb-21 Apr 1919; Unkn, 21 Apr-1 Jul 1919; Army Surveillance (later, 1 Surveillance; 3 Attack; 3 Bombardment) Group, 1 Jul 1919 (attached to 3 Bombardment Wing, 13 Aug 1956-24 Oct 1957); 3 Bombardment Wing, 25 Oct 1957 (attached to 41 Air Division, 1 Sep 1963-7 Jan 1964); 41 Air Division, 8 Jan 1964 (attached to 405 Fighter Wing, 9-23 Apr 1964); Thirteenth Air Force, 24 Apr 1964 (attached to 405 Fighter Wing, 24 Apr-17 Nov 1964, and further attached to 34 Tactical Group, 5 Aug-3 Nov 1964); 405 Fighter Wing, 18 Nov 1964 (attached to 33 Tactical Group, 18-28 Jun 1965; 2 Air Division, 28 Jun-7 Jul 1965; 6252 Tactical Fighter Wing, 8 Jul-15 Aug 1965, 16 Oct-16 Dec 1965 and 15 Feb-7 Apr 1966; 35 Tactical Fighter Wing, 8-18 Apr 1966, 15 Jun-15 Aug 1966, 12 Oct-12 Dec 1966, 11 Feb-12 Apr 1967, 7 Jun-2 Aug 1967, and 26 Sep-21 Nov 1967); 35 Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 Jan 1968 (attached to 405 Fighter Wing, 15-17 Jan 1968); 3 Tactical Fighter Wing, 15 Nov 1969; 35 Tactical Fighter Wing, 30 Sep 1970 (attached to 315 Tactical Airlift Wing, 16-30 Jul 1971); 315 Tactical Airlift Wing, 31 Jul 1971; 377 Air Base Group (later, 377 Air Base Wing), 15 Jan 1972 (attached to 6251 Air Base Squadron, 1-14 Sep 1972; Detachment 2, 377 Air Base Wing, 15-30 Sep 1972); 405 Fighter Wing, 1 Oct 1972; 1 Special Operations (later, 834 Tactical Composite; 1 Special Operations) Wing, 1 Mar 1974; 1 Special Operations (later, 16 Operations; 1 Special Operations) Group, 22 Sep 1992-.
Stations. Camp Kelly, TX, 21 Jun 1917; Selfridge Field, MI, 8 Jul 1917; Garden City, NY, 28 Oct-22 Nov 1917; Winchester, England, 8 Dec 1917; Dartford, England, c. 24 Dec 1917 (detachments at Thetford, Wyton, and Northolt, England); Thetford, England, 1 May-11 Jul 1918; Amanty, France, 30 Jul 1918; Ourches, France, 31 Aug 1918; Toul, France, 29 Sep 1918; Saizerais, France, 23 Oct 1918; Colombey-les-Belles, France, 11 Feb 1919; Fargues-St Hilaire, France, 22 Feb-18 Apr 1919; Mitchel Field, NY, 3 May 1919; Kelly Field, TX, 25 May 1919 (flight at McAllen, TX, after 25 Jul 1919); McAllen, TX, 13 Aug 1919 (flight operated from Laredo, TX, 15 Aug 1919-3 Aug 1920, and from Pope Field, NC, after 13 Aug 1920; detachment of flight operated from Laredo, TX, after 3 Aug 1920); Kelly Field, TX, 2 Jul 1921 (flight at Pope Field, NC, to 26 Nov 1921); Ft Crockett, TX, 30 Jun 1926; Barksdale Field, LA, 27 Feb 1935; Savannah, GA, 8 Oct 1940-19 Jan 1942; Brisbane, Australia, 25 Feb 1942; Charters Towers, Australia, c. 17 Mar 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 31 Mar 1942; Charters Towers, Australia, c. 9 May 1942; Port Moresby, New Guinea, 28 Jan 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, c. 10 Apr 1943; Nadzab, New Guinea, 1 Feb 1944; Hollandia, New Guinea, 16 May 1944; Dulag, Leyte, 15 Nov 1944; San Jose, Mindoro, c. 30 Dec 1944; Okinawa, c. 7 Aug 1945; Atsugi, Japan, c. 26 Oct 1945; Yokota AB, Japan, c. 20 Aug 1946; Johnson AB, Japan, 14 Mar 1950; Iwakuni, Japan, 1 Jul 1950; Kunsan AB, South Korea, 18 Aug 1951; Johnson AB, Japan, 5 Oct 1954; Yokota AB, Japan, 17 Nov 1960 (deployed at Clark AB, Philippines, 9-23 Apr 1964); Clark AB, Philippines, 24 Apr 1964 (deployed at Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 5 Aug-3 Nov 1964; Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam, 18-28 Jun 1965; Da Nang AB, South Vietnam, 28 Jun-15 Aug 1965, 16 Oct-16 Dec 1965, 15 Feb-18 Apr 1966, and 15 Jun-15 Aug 1966; Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, 12 Oct-12 Dec 1966, 11 Feb-12 Apr 1967, 7 Jun-2 Aug 1967, and 26 Sep-22 Nov 1967); Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, 17 Jan 1968; Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 15 Nov 1969; Clark AB, Philippines, 1 Oct 1972-1 Mar 1974; Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field No. 9 (Hurlburt Field), FL, 1 Mar 1974; Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field No. 3 (Duke Field), FL, 18 Feb 2000; Hurlburt Fld, FL, 31 Aug 2006-
Commanders. Capt Sheldon H. Wheeler, 21 Jun 1917; 1Lt Norton L. Newhall, c. 17 Oct 1917; 2Lt Jacob D. Halstead, 1 May 19l8; 1Lt George Englehart, l8 Jul 19l8; Capt John G. Winant, 2 Aug 19l8; 1Lt Walter Bender, l6 Feb 1919; 2Lt F. Taylor, 31 May 1919; Capt William G. Renwick, 7 Jun 1919; Capt H. M. Guilbert, 3 Sep 1919; Capt George C. Kenney, 13 Oct 1919; 1Lt Vincent J. Meloy, c. Jul 1920; Capt Charles A. Pursley, c. Jul 1920; 1Lt Vincent J. Meloy, c. Jan 1921; 1Lt John R. Glascock, 7 Aug 1921; 1Lt Vincent J. Meloy, 1 Nov 1921; Capt Charles B. B. Bubb, l6 Feb 1922; Capt Thomas H. Shea Jr., l4 May 1922; 1Lt Peter E. Skanse, 17 Jun 1922; Capt Charles B. B. Bubb, 12 Oct 1922; Capt Joseph H. Davidson, 3 Aug 1923; 1Lt Lotha A. Smith, 13 Oct 1923; Capt Joseph H. Davidson, 1924; 1Lt George W. McEntire, 19 Jan 1925; Capt Joseph H. Davidson, 17 Feb 1925; Capt Ross F. Cole, 24 Apr 1925; 1Lt Dwight J. Canfield, 10 Mar 1926; 2Lt John L. Hitchings, l4 Apr 1926; 2Lt Howard M. Turner, Apr 1926; 1Lt Dwight J. Canfield, 6 May 1926; 1Lt Ralph F. Stearley, 17 Jun 1926; 1Lt Angier H. Foster, 4 Oct 1926; 1Lt Ralph F. Stearley, 9 Nov 1926; 1Lt James T. Curry Jr., 4 Dec 1926; Unkn, 22 Aug 1929-19 Jan 1930; Capt Lotha A. Smith, 20 Jan 1930; Capt Lloyd L. Harvey, 10 Mar 1933; Maj John D. Corkille, 9 Jul 1935; Maj Lester J. Maitland, 11 Sep 1935; Maj Younger A. Pitts, l6 Jul 1938; Capt Richard H. Lee, 11 Jul 1939; Capt John F. Guillett, 21 Dec 1939; Maj Richard H. Lee, 31 Jan 1940; Capt Robert D. Gapen, 4 Apr 194l; 1Lt Robert F. Strickland, 1 Jul 1941; 1Lt Alexander G. Evanoff, 24 Jan 1942; 1Lt Virgil Schwab, 2 Mar 1942; Maj Floyd W. Rogers, 17 Apr 1942; Maj Harry L. Galusha, 30 Jul 1942; Maj Holden F. Ellison, l8 Oct 1942; Lt Col James A. Downs, Mar 1943; Maj Randolph H. Wilkins, Aug 1943; Capt Martin J. Radnik, 2 Nov 1943; Maj Charles W. Howe, 4 Feb 1944; Maj Charles C. Smith, May 1944; Maj George R. Greene, 28 Sep 1944; Maj Abraham E. Shook, 13 Feb 1945; Capt George L. Cooper, 13 Jul 1945; Capt Donald G. Hellier, Oct 1945; Capt Lawrence A. Adams Jr., 1 Nov 1945; Capt Max E. Wolfson, 24 Dec 1945; 1Lt Clifford S. Haines, 1 Jan 1946; Capt Edward W. Cordes, Mar 1946; Capt Virgil R. Sewell, Apr 1946; Capt Weston F. Maughan, Dec 1946; Maj John J. Ruettgers, 3 Jan 1947; Maj Thomas J. Price, 8 Jan 1948; Maj Joseph W. Bird, 7 May 1949; Lt Col William D. Harris, 22 Sep 1949; Lt Col Abraham E. Shook, 2 Aug 1950; Lt Col Isaac F. Larkey, l8 Oct 1950; Maj Gus Weiser, Mar 1951; Lt Col Edward L. Wilson Jr., 12 May 1951; Lt Col Stanley V. Rush, 29 Aug 1951; Lt Col Edward D. Leahy, Dec 1951; Lt Col Ralph N. Romstad, l8 Mar 1952; Maj Frederick S. Kelly, Oct 1952; Maj Robert L. Wood, Nov 1952; Lt Col Raleigh D. Smith, 24 May 1954; Lt Col Charles E. Mendell, 10 Jun 1955; Lt Col James M. Sedberry Jr., l6 Jan 1956; Maj I. H. Young, 30 Jun 1958; Lt Col Norbert C. Treacy, 29 May 1959; Maj Patrick H. Kenny Jr., 30 Apr 1960; Lt Col Frederick W. Grindle Jr., 1 Jul 1963; Maj Howard F. O'Neal, 1 Jun 1964; Maj Roy L. White, 26 Sep 1964; Lt Col Daniel E. Farr II, 7 May 1965; Lt Col Gerald T. Hamilton, 15 Apr 1966; Lt Col Nathaniel A. Gallagher, 13 Oct 1966; Lt Col Robert S. Stedman, l8 Apr 1967; Lt Col Patrick H. Kenny Jr., 23 Jan 1968; Col Elbert M. Stringer, 23 Mar 1968; Lt Col Eugene Tiddy, l8 Nov 1968; Lt Col Kenneth S. Smith, 15 Mar 1969; Lt Col Albert E. Smith, 25 Jun 1969; Lt Col Morris T. Warner, 15 Nov 1969; Lt Col John Q. Wise, 7 Dec 1969; Lt Col Whitney N. Tomlin, 22 Jun 1970; Lt Col William A. Orth, 30 Sep 1971; Lt Col Frank K. Sloan, Apr 1971; Lt Col Gordon H. Weed, 15 Jan 1972; Lt Col Donald J. Loosely, l6 Jul-30 Sep 1972; None (not manned); 1 Oct 1972-31 May 1974; Lt Col Peter K. Nikonovich, 1 Jun 1974; Lt Col Donald W. Burger, 7 Mar 1975; Lt Col Hugh M. Hunter, 8 Mar 1977; Lt Col Roland D. Guidry, 4 May 1979; Lt Col Robert L. Brenci, 1 Oct 1980; Lt Col James L. Hobson Jr., 26 Jul 1982; Lt Col David A. Miles, 20 Jul 1984; Lt Col John W. Harbison, 27 Aug 1986; Lt Col Jerry L. Thigpen, 11 Jul 1988; Lt Col Thomas M. Beres, 2 Jul 1990; Lt Col Gary L. Murdock, 29 May 1992; Lt Col Kenneth H. Poole, 18 Apr 1994; Lt Col Bernard V. Moore II, 5 Jan 1996; Lt Col Jeffrey S. Alderfer, 18 Jul 1997; Lt Col Raymond J. Chapman, 24 May 1999; Lt Col Lloyd B. Moon, 14 Feb 2001; Lt Col Douglas A. Galipeau, 29 Aug 2002; Lt Col Daniel Zook, 4 Jun 2004; Lt Col Theodore A. Corallo, 20 Jun 2006-.
Aircraft. DH-4, 1918-1919, 1919-1926; GAX (GA-1), 1923; O-2, 1926-1928; in addition to A-3, 1928-1934, and A-12, 1934-1936, included A-8 and O-19 during period 1932-1936; in addition to A-17, 1936-1940, and B-18, 1939-1941, included A-18 during period 1937-1941; A-24, 1941, 1942; A-20, 1941, 1942-1943, 1943-1945; B-25, 1943; A-26 (later designated B-26), 1945-1956; B-57, 1956-1969; A-37, 1969-1972; C/MC-130, 1974-; AC-130, 1975; CV-22, 2007-.
Operations. Combat as observation unit with IV and VI Army Corps, c. 25 Aug-11 Nov 1918. Mexican border patrol, Aug 1919-Jun 1921. Trained in attack aviation and participated in field exercises and army maneuvers, 1921-1941. Antisubmarine patrols, Dec 1941-Jan 1942; Combat in Southwest and Western Pacific, 1 Apr-29 Jul 1942 and 24 May 1943-12 Aug 1945; Korea, 27 Jun 1950-27 Jul 1953; Southeast Asia, Apr 1964-Sep 1972. Participated in Iranian hostage rescue attempt, Apr 1980. Combat in Grenada, 24 Oct-3 Nov 1983; Panama, 20 Dec 1989-14 Jan 1990; Southwest Asia, 16 Jan-17 Mar 1991. Routinely deployed personnel and aircraft to contingency operations in the Balkans and Southwest Asia, 1991-2001. Combat in Operations ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan), Oct 2001-, and IRAQI FREEDOM, Mar 2003-.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War I: Lorraine; St Mihiel. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; East Indies; Air Offensive, Japan; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines. Korea: UN Defensive; UN Offensive: CCF Intervention; First UN Counteroffensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer-Fall Offensive; Second Korean Winter; Korea Summer-Fall, 1952; Third Korean Winter; Korea, Summer 1953. Vietnam: Vietnam Advisory; Vietnam Defensive; Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire. Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait; Southwest Asia Ceasefire.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. Panama, 1989-1990.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Papua, 23-[29 Jul 1942]; New Guinea, 17 Aug 1943; Korea, 27 Jun-31 Jul 1950; Korea, 22 Apr-8 Jul 1951; Korea, 1 May-27 Jul 1953. Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia): [12 Oct-12 Dec 1966 and 11 Feb-10 Apr 1967]; 6 Jun 1967-18 Jan 1968; 15 Nov 1968-31 May 1969. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device: 19 Feb 1965-19 Feb 1966; [8 Jul-15 Aug 1965, 16 Oct-16 Dec 1965, 15 Feb-18 Apr 1966, and 15 Jun-15 Aug 1966]; [2 Apr-12 Apr 1967 and 7 Jun-2 Aug 1967]; [26 Sep-21 Nov 1967 and 15 Jan-2 May 1968]; 1 Oct 1968-13 Apr 1969; 14 Apr-15 Nov 1969; [15] Nov 1969-20 Jan 1970; 21 Jan-1 Sep 1970; 1 Dec 1970-25 Jun 1971; 21 Aug-6 Dec 1971; 5 Apr-7 Jul 1972; 8 Jul-1 Oct 1972; 1 May 1982-30 Apr 1984; 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999; 1 Jul 2003-30 Jun 2005. Gallant Unit Citation: 6 Oct 2001-30 May 2003. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jun 1958-30 Jun 1960; 1 Jul 1960-31 Mar 1962; 5 Aug 1964-31 Mar 1965; 1 Jan 1976-31 Mar 1977; 15 Jul 1979-15 May 1980; 16 May 1980-30 Apr 1982; 1 May 1985-30 Apr 1987; 1 May 1988-30 Apr 1990; 16 Apr 1992-15 Apr 1994; 1 Jun 1995-31 May 1997; 1 Jul 1999-30 Jun 2001; 1 Jul 2001-30 Jun 2003; 1 Sep 2004-31 Aug 2006. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII). Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation: 27 Jun-31 Jul 1950. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm: 1 Apr 1966-1 Oct 1972; 1 May-30 Sep 1970; 24 Feb-30 Mar 1971; 31 Jul 1971-8 Jan 1972.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 7Aug 2007.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Aug 2007.
Supersedes statement prepared on 1 Jun 2006.
Emblem. Approved on 15 Jun 2007.
Prepared by Patsy Robertson.
Reviewed by Daniel Haulman.
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