15th Special Operations Squadron
The 15th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 1st Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field, Florida. It operates Lockheed MC-130J Commando II aircraft in support of special operations.
| 15th Special Operations Squadron | |
|---|---|
A 15th Special Operations Squadron MC-130 deploys to Haiti to provide humanitarian and disaster relief | |
| Active | 1942–1943; 1944–1946; 1947–1949; 1968–1970; 1992–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Special Operations |
| Part of | Air Force Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Hurlburt Field |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Gallant Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V device Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Adam Schmidt |
| Notable commanders | Tony D. Bauernfeind |
| Insignia | |
| 15th Special Operations Squadron emblem | |
| 15th Bombardment Squadron emblem | |
The squadron was first activated in 1942 as the 520th Bombardment Squadron. It engaged in antisubmarine warfare operations as the 15th Antisubmarine Squadron off the Atlantic coast of the United States until 1943 when the Navy assumed responsibility for the mission. It was disbanded in the fall of that year.
In 1944, the 15th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy was activated as a Boeing B-29 Superfortress unit. It participated in combat operations against Japan in 1945, receiving a Distinguished Unit Citation. The squadron was inactivated on Guam in 1946. It was again briefly active in the Air Force Reserve from 1947 to 1949.
The 15th Special Operations Squadron was activated in Vietnam as a Lockheed C-130 Hercules gunship squadron. It participated in combat until it was inactivated in 1970, earning a Presidential Unit Citation, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V device and Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.
The 15th Antisubmarine Squadron and 15th Bombardment Squadron were consolidated with the 15th Special Operations Squadron in September 1985, but remained inactive until 1992, when the squadron again activated as a special operations C-130 unit.