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===Special operations mission===
===Special operations mission===
Members of the 8th Special Operations Squadron were deployed as part of a joint task force that landed in the Iranian desert in April 1980 in support of the American hostage rescue attempt. During that mission, five members of the squadron lost their lives. The squadron received its motto "with the guts to try" from this operation.<ref name="8SOS">[http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3481 8th Special Operations Squadron Factsheet]</ref>
of the of in the of the hostage rescue attempt. During that mission, five members of the squadron lost their lives. The squadron received its motto "with the guts to try" from this operation.<ref name="8SOS">[http://www.hurlburt.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3481 8th Special Operations Squadron Factsheet]</ref>


The squadron was called on again in October 1983 to lead the way in the rescue of American students endangered on the island of [[Grenada]] ([[Operation Urgent Fury]]). After long hours of flight, the aircrew members faced intense ground fire to airdrop Army Rangers on time, on target. They subsequently followed up with three psychological operations leaflet drops designed to encourage the Cubans to discontinue the conflict. <ref name="8SOS"/>
The squadron was called on again in October 1983 to lead the way in the rescue of American students endangered on the island of [[Grenada]] ([[Operation Urgent Fury]]). After long hours of flight, the aircrew members faced intense ground fire to airdrop Army Rangers on time, on target. They subsequently followed up with three psychological operations leaflet drops designed to encourage the Cubans to discontinue the conflict. <ref name="8SOS"/>
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The U.S. Air Force relies on the proven abilities of the 8th SOS as is evident by its deployments in support of Operations Provide Promise and [[Operation Deny Flight]] in [[Bosnia]], Operation Assured Response in [[Liberia]] and [[Operation Southern Watch]] in Saudi Arabia. Even Hollywood relied on the crews of the 8th in the 1997 hit movie [[Air Force One (film)|"Air Force One."]] <ref name="8SOS"/>
The U.S. Air Force relies on the proven abilities of the 8th SOS as is evident by its deployments in support of Operations Provide Promise and [[Operation Deny Flight]] in [[Bosnia]], Operation Assured Response in [[Liberia]] and [[Operation Southern Watch]] in Saudi Arabia. Even Hollywood relied on the crews of the 8th in the 1997 hit movie [[Air Force One (film)|"Air Force One."]] <ref name="8SOS"/>


When the World Trade Center fell on September 11th, 2001, the 8 SOS was propelled into Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. The squadron was nearly completely deployed, operating from several locations simultaneously to unseat the Taliban rulers and install the interim government. The 8th supports operations by re-supplying Special Operations Forces operators in the field, refueling helicopters, and landing at short unprepared fields all over the country. When Operation IRAQI FREEDOM kicked off, the 8th was once again at the forefront. Its crews were some of the first to cross the border as hostilities began. Such a high operations tempo led to the 8th SOS being the Air Force's most deployed active-duty squadron in 2002 and 2003.<ref name="8SOS"/>
When the World Trade Center fell on September 11th, 2001, the 8 SOS was propelled into Operation . The squadron was nearly completely deployed, operating from several locations simultaneously to unseat the Taliban rulers and install the interim government. The 8th supports operations by re-supplying Special Operations Forces operators in the field, refueling helicopters, and landing at short unprepared fields all over the country. When Operation kicked off, the 8th was once again at the forefront. Its crews were some of the first to cross the border as hostilities began. Such a high operations tempo led to the 8th SOS being the Air Force's most deployed active-duty squadron in 2002 and 2003.<ref name="8SOS"/>
[[File:8th Special Operations Squadron - CV-22 Osprey - 2011.jpg|thumb|CV-22 Osprey from the 8th Special Operations Squadron "Black Birds" flies during a local training mission at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 1, 2011.]]
⚫
The 8th SOS opened a new chapter in its distinguished history when it transitioned from the Combat Talon I to the CV-22 Osprey in August 2006. Development of the CV-22 Osprey stems directly from the 1980 failed Iran hostage rescue attempt. After three decades of development and testing, the CV-22 passed its final exam with the completion of initial operational test and evaluation flown by the 8th SOS crew. The CV-22 fulfills the unique Air Force requirement for a platform capable of long-range, infiltration and exfiltration to targets located anywhere in the world. 8th SOS crews continually train to bring tilt-rotor technology into the battlefield against our nation's worst enemies. With the combined ability to fly at C-130 speeds and land to austere landing areas like a helicopter, the Osprey brings a revolutionary capability to combatant commanders. <ref name="8SOS"/>


⚫
In 2008, the 8th SOS logged over 190 transoceanic flight hours during a self-deployment to the nation of Mali supporting U.S. Africa Command's Flintlock exercise. In 2009, 8th SOS crews deployed to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, where they delivered 40,000 pounds of critical food and medical supplies to remote Honduran villages. During the same year the 8th SOS culminated its years of testing and evaluation with its first-ever combat deployment in support of Operation . There, 8th SOS crews flew 123 total missions, of which 45 were direct assaults against known enemy insurgents. <ref name="8SOS"/>
⚫
The 8th SOS opened a new chapter in its distinguished history when it transitioned from the Combat Talon I to the CV-22 Osprey in August 2006. Development of the CV-22 Osprey stems directly from the 1980 failed Iran hostage rescue attempt. After three decades of development and testing, the CV-22 passed its final exam with the completion of initial operational test and evaluation flown by the 8th SOS crew. The CV-22 fulfills the unique Air Force requirement for a platform capable of long-range, infiltration and exfiltration to targets located anywhere in the world. 8th SOS crews continually train to bring tilt-rotor technology into the battlefield against our nation's worst enemies. With the combined ability to fly at C-130 speeds and land to austere landing areas like a helicopter, the Osprey brings a revolutionary capability to combatant commanders. <ref name="8SOS"/>


In June 2009, the 8th delivered humanitarian supplies to Honduras. In November 2009, the 8th returned from a three-month deployment in Iraq.<ref>Moore, Mona. [http://www.nwfdailynews.com/articles/hurlburt-22556-22s-photo.html "CV-22s return from first deployment with 8th SOS Homecoming"]. nwfdailynews.com, 12 November 2009.</ref>
⚫
In 2008, the 8th SOS logged over 190 transoceanic flight hours during a self-deployment to the nation of Mali supporting U.S. Africa Command's Flintlock exercise. In 2009, 8th SOS crews deployed to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, where they delivered 40,000 pounds of critical food and medical supplies to remote Honduran villages. During the same year the 8th SOS culminated its years of testing and evaluation with its first-ever combat deployment in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. There, 8th SOS crews flew 123 total missions, of which 45 were direct assaults against known enemy insurgents. <ref name="8SOS"/>


In 2010, the 8th SOS deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. During this deployment, 8 SOS crews flew 875 combat sorties, 642 direct assault sorties, infiltrated 4069 SOF assaulters, transported 284 terrorists and high-value targets and delivered over 87,000 pounds of supplies to allied forces. <ref name="8SOS"/>
In 2010, the 8th SOS deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation . During this deployment, 8 SOS crews flew 875 combat sorties, 642 direct assault sorties, infiltrated 4069 SOF assaulters, transported 284 terrorists and high-value targets and delivered over 87,000 pounds of supplies to allied forces. <ref name="8SOS"/>


===Lineage===
===Lineage===

Revision as of 17:21, 5 May 2013

8th Special Operations Squadron
8th Special Operations Squadron CV-22 flies over Florida's Emerald Coast
Active21 June 1917 - Present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleSpecial Operations
SizeSquadron
Part of  Air Force Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQHurlburt Field, Florida
Engagements
Decorations DUC
PUC
GUC
AFOUA w/V Device
PPUC
ROK PUC
RVGC w/ Palm
Insignia
Identification
symbol

The 8th Special Operations Squadron (8 SOS) is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The squadron is equipped with the CV-22 Osprey in support of special operations.[1]

The 8 SOS is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force, being organized as the 8th Aero Squadron on 21 June 1917 at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron deployed to France and fought on the Western Front during World War I, equipped with United States-built Dayton-Wright DH-4, reconnaissance aircraft.[2]

During World War II, the squadron fought in the Southwest Pacific Area with Fifth Air Force as an attack and later B-25 Mitchell medium bomber squadron. During the Cold War, it fought in the Korean War with B-26 Invader medium bombers and Vietnam War as a B-57 Canberra medium bomber and later as an Air Commando squadron with A-37 Dragonfly counter-insurgency aircraft.Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. [3]

Mission

The primary mission of the 8 SOS is insertion, extraction, and re-supply of unconventional warfare forces and equipment into hostile or enemy-controlled territory using airland or airdrop procedures.[4]

History

Special operations mission

The 8th became the U.S.-based operator of the MC-130 Combat Talon in 1974, and provided five of the eight Talon crews participating in Operation Eagle Claw. Its members crewed the lead Talon and all three of the EC-130E refuelers on the Night One mission to "Desert One", and was to crew the four Talons of the Night Two phase of the Iranian hostage rescue attempt in April 1980. During that mission, five members of the squadron lost their lives. The squadron received its motto "with the guts to try" from this operation.[5]

The squadron was called on again in October 1983 to lead the way in the rescue of American students endangered on the island of Grenada (Operation Urgent Fury). After long hours of flight, the aircrew members faced intense ground fire to airdrop Army Rangers on time, on target. They subsequently followed up with three psychological operations leaflet drops designed to encourage the Cubans to discontinue the conflict. [5]

Members of the 8th SOS were mobilized in December 1989 as part of a joint task force for Operation Just Cause in the Republic of Panama. Following the conflict, it was an 8th SOS MC-130 Combat Talon I that flew General Manuel Noriega back to the United States to stand trial. [5]

Operation Desert Shield commenced in August 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. The 8th SOS was deployed to Saudi Arabia as a deterrent against the Iraqi threat to its southern neighbor. In January 1991, when Iraq failed to comply with United Nations directives to withdraw from Kuwait, the proven skills of the 8th SOS were called on once again as Operation Desert Shield escalated into Operation Desert Storm. The 8th SOS played a pivotal role in the success of coalition forces as they liberated Kuwait by dropping 11 15,000-pound BLU-82 bombs and 23 million leaflets and conducting numerous aerial refuelings of special operations helicopters. [5]

The U.S. Air Force relies on the proven abilities of the 8th SOS as is evident by its deployments in support of Operations Provide Promise and Operation Deny Flight in Bosnia, Operation Assured Response in Liberia and Operation Southern Watch in Saudi Arabia. Even Hollywood relied on the crews of the 8th in the 1997 hit movie "Air Force One." [5]

When the World Trade Center fell on September 11th, 2001, the 8 SOS was propelled into Operation Enduring Freedom in late 2001. The squadron was nearly completely deployed, operating from several locations in Afghanistan simultaneously to unseat the Taliban rulers and install the interim government. The 8th supports operations by re-supplying Special Operations Forces operators in the field, refueling helicopters, and landing at short unprepared fields all over the country. When Operation Iraqi Freedom kicked off in 2003, the 8th was once again at the forefront. Its crews were some of the first to cross the border as hostilities began. Such a high operations tempo led to the 8th SOS being the Air Force's most deployed active-duty squadron in 2002 and 2003.[5]

CV-22 Osprey from the 8th Special Operations Squadron "Black Birds" flies during a local training mission at Hurlburt Field, Fla., Feb. 1, 2011.

The 8th SOS opened a new chapter in its distinguished history when it transitioned from the MC-130 Combat Talon I to the CV-22 Osprey in August 2006. Development of the CV-22 Osprey stems directly from the 1980 failed Iran hostage rescue attempt. After three decades of development and testing, the CV-22 passed its final exam with the completion of initial operational test and evaluation flown by the 8th SOS crew. The CV-22 fulfills the unique Air Force requirement for a platform capable of long-range, infiltration and exfiltration to targets located anywhere in the world. 8th SOS crews continually train to bring tilt-rotor technology into the battlefield against our nation's worst enemies. With the combined ability to fly at C-130 speeds and land to austere landing areas like a helicopter, the Osprey brings a revolutionary capability to combatant commanders. [5]

In 2008, the 8th SOS logged over 190 transoceanic flight hours during a self-deployment to the nation of Mali supporting U.S. Africa Command's Flintlock exercise. In 2009, 8th SOS crews deployed to Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, where they delivered 40,000 pounds of critical food and medical supplies to remote Honduran villages. During the same year the 8th SOS culminated its years of testing and evaluation with its first-ever combat deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There, 8th SOS crews flew 123 total missions, of which 45 were direct assaults against known enemy insurgents. [5]

In June 2009, the 8th delivered humanitarian supplies to Honduras. In November 2009, the 8th returned from a three-month deployment in Iraq.[6]

In 2010, the 8th SOS deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. During this deployment, 8 SOS crews flew 875 combat sorties, 642 direct assault sorties, infiltrated 4069 SOF assaulters, transported 284 terrorists and high-value targets and delivered over 87,000 pounds of supplies to allied forces. [5]

Lineage

  • Organized as 8th Aero Squadron on 21 Jun 1917
Re-designated: 8th Squadron (Surveillance) c. Jun 1921
Re-designated: 8th Squadron (Attack) c. Nov 1921
Re-designated: 8th Attack Squadron on 25 Jan 1923
Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 15 Sep 1939
Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 28 Sep 1942
Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 25 May 1943
Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron, Light, c. Apr 1944
Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron, Light, Night Intruder, on 25 Jun 1951
Re-designated: 8th Bombardment Squadron, Tactical, on 1 Oct 1955
Re-designated: 8th Attack Squadron on 18 Nov 1969
Re-designated: 8th Special Operations Squadron on 30 Sep 1970
Re-designated: 8th Fighter Squadron on 1 Jul 1973
Re-designated: 8th Special Operations Squadron on 1 Mar 1974.[1]

Assignments

Stations

World War I
Intra-War Period
World War II
United States Air Force

Aircraft

[1]

Operations

See also

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ a b c d e 8 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)
  2. ^ Series "E", Volume 9, History of the 1st and 8th Aero Squadrons. Gorrell's History of the American Expeditionary Forces Air Service, 1917–1919, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
  3. ^ ISBN 0-89201-097-5
  4. ^ a b 8 SOS Fact Sheet
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i 8th Special Operations Squadron Factsheet
  6. ^ Moore, Mona. "CV-22s return from first deployment with 8th SOS Homecoming". nwfdailynews.com, 12 November 2009.
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