Lineage

Established as 919 Troop Carrier Group, Assault, and activated, on 15 Jan 1963. Organized in the Reserve on 11 Feb 1963. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 15 Dec 1965. Redesignated 919 Tactical Airlift Group on 17 Jun 1971. Activated in the Reserve on 30 Jul 1971. Redesignated: 919 Special Operations Group on 1 Jul 1975; 919 Special Operations Wing on 1 Aug 1992.

Assignments

445 Troop Carrier (later, 445 Air Transport) Wing, 11 Feb 1963-15 Dec 1965. 459th Tactical Airlift Wing, 30 Jul 1971; Eastern Air Force Reserve Region, 1 Dec 1974; Tenth Air Force, 8 Oct 1976; Fourth Air Force, 1 Mar 1983; Tenth Air Force, 1 Jul 1994-.

Components

Group. 919 Operations: 1 Aug 1992-.

Squadrons.71:1 Apr 1990-1 Aug 1992. 701: 11 Feb 1963-15 Dec 1965. 711: 30 Jul 1971-1 Aug 1992.

Stations

Memphis Muni Aprt, TN, 11 Feb 1963-15 Dec 1965. Eglin AF Aux Field #3 (Duke Field), FL, 30 Jul 1971-.

Commanders

Col Arthur T. Ousley, Feb 1963-15 Dec 1965. Col Donald E. Haugen, 30 Jul 1971; Maj Roy E. Ayers Jr. (acting), 2 Apr 1974; Col Amos R. Dreessen, 17 Jun 1974; Col Billie H. Parker, 23 Oct 1978; Col Terry G. Whitnell, 13 Oct 1985; Lt Col Lee T. Weiland Jr., 14 Nov 1987; Col Warren D. Snyder, 17 Jan 1988; Col Ernest R. Webster, 28 Apr 1991; Col Jack W. Blair Jr., 2 Mar 1994; Col Thomas M. Stogsdill, 5 Jun 1998-.

Aircraft

C-123, 1963-1965. C-130, 1971-; AC-130, 1975-1995; HH-3, 1990-1993; HC-130N/P (later, MC-130P), 1995-; MC-130E, 1995-.

Operations

Trained for troop carrier duties, 1963-1965. Performed airlift of personnel and cargo, in addition to airdropping U.S. Army paratroopers during exercises, 1971-1974. In late 1974 began training for gunship operations, with close air support as a primary duty, but included ability to perform armed interdiction, reconnaissance, and escort, forward air control and combat search and rescue in conventional or unconventional warfare setting. Provided range clearing support for missile launches at the Eastern Test Range, 1979-1989 and for NASA space shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral, 1981-1988. The 711th SOS hit key facilities and provided cover for U.S. Army troops during the invasion of Panama, Dec 1989-Jan 1990. On 1 Apr 1990, gained a second SOS (71st) located at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. Both squadrons participated in the conflict in Southwest Asia: the 71st SOS, flying HH-3s deployed 12 Jan-16 Mar 1991 and the 711th SOS, flying AC-130s, deployed 7 Feb-12 Mar. In addition, the 711th used their C-130s to fly cargo and passengers. Lost the 71st SOS on 1 Oct 1993 but, in late 1994, gained the 5th SOS. The 5th SOS began to receive their MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft in Apr 1995 and trained for special operations, inflight refueling of special operations helicopters, and resupply missions. The 711th SOS transitioned from AC-130 gunships to M-130E Combat Talon I aircraft beginning in Oct 1995 and trained for a primary mission of infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces. Periodically the wing deployed personnel and aircraft to support special operations forces in contingency operations worldwide, in addition to numerous humanitarian deployments. The 919th Operations Group flight training in MC-130E Combat Talon I for both Air Force Special Operatons and Air Force Reserve Commands, 1 Oct 1997-.

Service Streamers.


None.

Campaign Streamers.


Southwest Asia: Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation and Defense of Kuwait.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers.


None.

Decorations.


Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 30 Jul 1971-31 Mar 1973; 1 Jul 1975-31 Jan 1977; 1 Oct 1983-1 Jun 1985; 1 Jun 1987-31 May 1989; 8 Dec 1989-7 Jan 1990; 1 Jun 1990-31 May 1992; 1 Jun 1992-31 May 1994; 1 Jun 1994-31 May 1996; 1 Jun 1996-31 May 1998.

Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through 25 Jun 2000

Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Sep 1998

Emblem

Approved on 21 Aug 1980.