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Library > Fact Sheets > 919th Special Operations Wing
919TH SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING
Posted 4/11/2011
Printable Fact Sheet
U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet
919TH SPECIAL OPERATIONS WING
The 919th Special Operations Wing, located at Eglin Air Force Base Field 3 (Duke Field), Fla., is the only special operations wing in the Air Force Reserve. The 919th SOW is a subordinate unit of 10th Air Force headquartered at Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, Texas, and the Air Force Reserve Command, with headquarters at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. In wartime or a contingency, the 919th SOW reports to Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla., its gaining major command.
MISSION
The 919th SOW provides and maintains the MC-130E Combat Talon I special operations aircraft designed for covert operations. The MC-130E (AFRC asset) is based at Duke Field. The aircraft provides more than 15 percent of helicopter aerial refueling training requirements to the U.S Special Operations Command. The wing also conducts U-28 and Combat Aviation Advisor training in association with the Air Force Special Operations Training Center and employs the MQ-1 Predator Unmanned Aerial System in association with the active-duty 3rd Special Operations Squadron, Cannon AFB, New Mexico.
ASSIGNED ORGANIZATIONS
919th Operations Group
Detachment 2, 919th Operations Group (Hurlburt Field)
2nd Special Operations Squadron (Nellis AFB, Nevada)
5th Special Operations Squadron (Hurlburt Field)
711th Special Operations Squadron
919th Operations Support Squadron
919th Maintenance Group
919th Maintenance Squadron
919th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron
919th Maintenance Operations Flight
919th Mission Support Group
919th Civil Engineer Squadron
919th Security Forces Squadron
919th Communications Squadron
919th Logistics Readiness Squadron
919th Force Support Squadron
919th Medical Squadron
MANNING
The 919th SOW employs about 1,190 reservists. Air reserve technicians, commonly referred to as ARTs, are the nucleus of the wing. They provide management continuity to keep the units combat ready. ARTs carry dual status as full-time civil service employees for the Air Force who, as a condition of employment, must participate as reservists. More than 280 ARTs and 47 civilians support the wing in day-to-day operations.
ECONOMIC IMPACT STATEMENT
The wing's payroll in fiscal 2010 was $50.6 million. Total economic impact in the Northwest Florida Panhandle in FY 2010 was an estimated $87.5 million.
UNIT HIGHLIGHTS
As the only special operations unit in the Air Force Reserve, the 919th SOW deploys in numerous contingencies throughout the world. The unit supported Operation Just Cause in December 1989 in Panama, and flew more than 30 sorties. The objectives of Just Cause were to restore democracy and protect Americans and American interests under the Panama Canal Treaty. In 1991, more than 300 reservists were called to active duty for deployment in support of Operation Desert Storm, the multi-national coalition to free Kuwait. On Sept. 15, 1994, more than 100 reservists deployed throughout a four-month period in support of Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti.
In September 2001, up to 600 wing reservists were activated in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The 919th Security Forces Squadron was the first Air Force Reserve unit to be activated in support of OEF. By October 2002, close to 550 reservists were extended for a second year of activation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the two-year period following Sept. 11, 2001, the wing tallied approximately 1,800 combat sorties, 5,000 combat hours, and more than 700 reservists activated. As of Sept. 29, 2003, most wing members were deactivated; however, activation taskings continue for smaller numbers of wing members.
CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY
Initially called the 919th Tactical Airlift Group, the unit was activated at Duke Field and received its first C-130A in 1971. One year later, the RC-130A was added to the inventory. In 1973, it converted to C-130B models. In 1974, a new mission was announced -- special operations -- and the 919th began flying the AC-130A Spectre Gunship in 1975. On June 1, 1992, the unit was redesignated the 919th Special Operations Wing. In 1995, the 919th SOW transitioned to MC-130E and MC-130P aircraft. About 300 active-duty members moved to Duke Field from Hurlburt Field early in 2000. Members from the two active-duty units, the 8th Special Operations Squadron and the 716th Maintenance Squadron, worked alongside reservists in support of the MC-130E Combat Talon I mission. They returned to Hurlburt Field in August 2006 to support other AFSOC missions. The 5th SOS transitioned from the MC-130P in late 2007 to a schoolhouse mission associated with the Air Force Special Operations Training Center and currently provides the primary instructors for active duty students in U-28 missions. The 2nd SOS stood up at Nellis AFB in 2008 and currently supplies a continuous Predator presence in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.
AWARDS
Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:
July 30, 1971- March 31, 1973
July 1, 1975 - Jan. 31, 1977
Oct. 1, 1983 - June 1, 1985
June 1, 1987 - May 31, 1989
Dec. 8, 1989 - Jan. 7, 1990
June 1, 1990 - May 31, 1992
June 1, 1992 - May 31, 1994
June 1, 1994 - May 31, 1996
June 1, 1996 - May 31, 1998
June 1, 1998 - May 31, 2000
Feb. 1, 2001 - Jan. 31, 2003 (with valor)
Oct. 1, 2003 - Dec. 21, 2004
Jan. 1, 2005 - Dec. 31, 2005
Jan. 1, 2006 - Dec. 31, 2006
Jan. 1, 2007 - Dec. 31, 2007
Jan. 1, 2008 - Dec. 31, 2008
Oct. 1, 2008- July 30, 2010
919th Operations Group:
March 2006 - Gallant Unit Citation
(Current as of March 2011)
919th SOW/CC
201 W Audette Drive
Bldg. 3107 Rm 146
Eglin AFB Fld 3 32542-6622
850-883-6347
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