Lineage

Constituted 5 Combat Cargo Squadron on 25 Apr 1944. Activated on 1 May 1944. Inactivated on 15 Jan 1946. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Reconstituted, and consolidated (19 Sep 1985), with the 5 Air Commando Squadron (Psychological Operation), which was constituted, and activated, on 2 Aug 1965. Organized on 8 Aug 1965. Redesignated 5 Special Operations Squadron on 1 Aug 1968. Inactivated on 15 Oct 1969. Activated in the Reserve on 1 Dec 1994.

Assignments

2 Combat Cargo Group, 1 May 1944-15 Jan 1946. 2 Air Division, 8 Aug 1965; 14 Air Commando (later, 14 Special Operations) Wing, 8 Mar 1966-15 Oct 1969. 919 Operations Group, 1 Dec 1994-.

Stations

Syracuse AAB, NY, 1 May 1944; Baer Field, IN, 9-27 Oct 1944; Biak Island, Netherlands East Indies, Nov 1944; Dulag, Leyte, 15 May 1945; Okinawa, 16 Aug 1945; Yokota, Japan, Sep 1945-15 Jan 1946. Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam, 8 Aug 1965; Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 5 Sep-15 Oct 1969. Eglin AF Aux Field #3 (Duke Field), FL, 1 Dec 1994; Eglin AFB, FL, 1 Oct 1999-.

Commanders

Capt Early R. Dowling, 1 May 1944; Maj Diar E. Clark, by Oct 1944; Maj Robert L. Arnold, c. Jun 1945-unkn. Unkn, 8 Aug-8 Nov 1965; Lt Col Clyde Angley, 9 Nov 1965; Lt Col Joseph F. Baier, 7 Jul 1966; Lt Col John L. Mansfield, 10 Oct 1966; Lt Col Trusty M. Whitehead, 5 Dec 1966; Lt Col Robert A. Barraclough, 7 Jul 1967; Lt Col Charles M. Read, 11 Oct 1967; Lt Col William W. Perry, 10 Jul 1968; Lt Col Kenneth D. Hill, 20 Sep 1968; Lt Col Robert S. Wardner, c. May-15 Oct 1969. Lt Col Clay T. McCutchan, 1 Dec 1994; Lt Col Elliott W. Allen, Jr., 1 Feb 1997; Lt Col James D. Smith, 23 Aug 1998-.

Aircraft

C-46, 1944-1945; C-47, 1944-1945. AC-47, 1965-1969; U-10, 1965-1969. HC-130N/P (later, MC-130P), 1995-.

Operations

Transported men and supplies to and evacuated casualties from forward areas in Southwest and Western Pacific, Dec 1944-Sep 1945. Conducted psychological operations and humanitarian programs during Vietnam conflict, 1965-1969. Trained for special operations, inflight refueling of special operations helicopters, and resupply missions, using modified C-130 aircraft, 1995-. Periodically deployed to support special operations contingency operations worldwide.

Service Streamers

None.

Campaign Streamers

World War II: New Guinea; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; Western Pacific; Air Offensive, Japan; Ruykyus. Vietnam: Vietnam Defensive; Vietnam Air; Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; Tet 69/ Counter-offensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers

None.

Decorations

Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia): 8 Mar 1966-7 Mar 1967; 21 Jun 1968-30 Jun 1969. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device: 16 Jun 1967-20 Jun 1968. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: [1Dec] 1994-31 May 1996; 1 Jun 1996-31 May 1998. Army Meritorious Unit Commendation: 1 Jan-31 Dec 1968. Philippine Presidential Unit Citation (WWII). Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm: 1 Apr 1966-15 Oct 1969; 1 Jan-30 Aug 1968.

Emblem

Approved on 5 Aug 1966; modified on 5 Nov 2001.

Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 28 Jun 2000.

Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Sep 1998.