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Home > Fact Sheets > 17 Special Operations Squadron
17 SPECIAL OPERATIONS SQUADRON
Posted 1/4/2008
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![17th Special Operations Squadron Emblem](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225175107im_/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/media/ggallery/webgraphic/AFG-070924-037.jpg) |
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. 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment) (constituted 17th Observation Squadron [Light] on 5 Feb 1942; activated on 2 Mar 1942; redesignated: 17th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942, 17th Reconnaissance Squadron [Bombardment] on 2 Apr 1943; inactivated on 27 Apr 1946) consolidated (19 Sep 1985) with the 17th Liaison Squadron (constituted on 19 Sep 1952; activated on 20 Oct 1952; inactivated on 25 Sep 1953) and the 17th Special Operations Squadron (constituted on 11 Apr 1969; activated on 1 Jun 1969; inactivated on 30 Sep 1971). Activated on 1 Aug 1989.
Assignments. 71st Observation (later, 71st Reconnaissance; 71st Tactical Reconnaissance; 71st Reconnaissance) Group, 2 Mar 1942 (attached to 91st Reconnaissance Wing, c. 21 Oct-9 Nov 1945, and to V Bomber Command, 10 Nov 1945-31 Jan 1946); V Bomber Command, 1 Feb-27 Apr 1946. Western Air Defense Force, 20 Oct 1952-25 Sep 1953. 14th Special Operations Wing, 1 Jun 1969-30 Sep 1971. 353d Special Operations Wing (later, 353d Special Operations Group) 1 Aug 1989-.
Stations. Providence, RI, 2 Mar 1942; Salinas AAB, CA, 2 Mar 1942; Esler Field, LA, 24 Jan 1943; Laurel AAFld, MS, 31 Mar-24 Sep 1943; Milne Bay, New Guinea, 6 Nov 1943; Dobodura, New Guinea, 22 Nov 1943; Finschhafen, New Guinea, Mar-30 Jun 1944 (air echelon at Wakde, 25 May-10 Jun 1944, and at Biak after 27 Jun 1944); Biak, 29 Jul 1944; Tacloban, Leyte, 2 Nov 1944 (air echelon primarily at Biak to c. 23 Dec 1944 and at San Jose, Mindoro, after 23 Dec 1944); San Jose, Mindoro, 7 Jan 1945; Lingayen, Luzon, 4 Apr 1945; Ie Shima, 29 Jul 1945 (detachment at Lingayen, Luzon, to Sep 1945); Yokota AB, Japan, 26 Oct 1945-27 Apr 1946. McChord AFB, WA, 20 Oct 1952-25 Sep 1953. Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam, 1 Jun 1969; Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, 15 Aug 1969-30 Sep 1971. Kadena AB, Japan, 1 Aug 1989-.
Aircraft. L-1, O-46, O-47, and O-52, 1942; A-20, P-39, and P-40, 1942-1943; B-25, 1943-1946. None, 1952-1953. AC-119, 1969-1971. HC-130, 1989-.
Operations. Antisubmarine patrols off west coast of US, c. May-c. Sep 1942; Combat in Southwest and Western Pacific, 28 Jan 1944-25 Jul 1945. Not manned, 1952-1953. Combat in Southeast Asia, 1 Jun 1969-30 Sep 1971. Disaster relief missions in the Philippines, 16-31 Jul 1990.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Japan; China Defensive; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Ryukyus; China Offensive. Vietnam: TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Dutch New Guinea, 8 Jun 1944; Philippine Islands, 26 Dec 1944. Presidential Unit Citation: Southeast Asia, 1-30 Jun 1969. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device: 1 Jul 1970-30 Jun 1971. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: [1 Aug] 1989-5 Apr 1991. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII). Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 1 Jun 1969-30 Sep 1971.
Emblem. Azure, a jackal head couped and traversed Sable, garnished of the first, langued Gules, armed Argent and eyed Yellow between three mullets of four points White, all within a diminished bordure Or. Approved on 19 Jul 1993; replaced emblems approved on 28 Jun 1990 (DFSC 91-02995) and 4 May 1943 (K 2854). MOTTO: NO MISSION TOO DEMANDING. Approved on 31 Jul 1990.
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![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20130225175107im_/http://www.afhra.af.mil/shared/AFImages/transparent.gif) |
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