310th Special Operations Squadron
The 310th Special Operations Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit, based at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. It was most recently activated in 2021 as part of the 27th Special Operations Group, flying the U-28A for Air Force Special Operations Command.
| 310th Special Operations Squadron | |
|---|---|
One of the squadron's U-28A Dracos on the flight line at 93rd Air Base, Croatia during Exercise Trojan Footprint 22 | |
| Active | 1943–1945; 1949–1953; 1955–1956; 1963–1972; 1984–1999; 2001–2019; 2021–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Special operations |
| Part of | Air Force Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Cannon AFB, New Mexico |
| Motto(s) | Libertatem Sustenimus (Latin: We Sustain Liberty) |
| Engagements | Operation Overlord Operation Market Garden Operation Plunder Battle of Khe Sanh |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 310th Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 7 July 1994, modified 15 April 2019) | |
| 310th Airlift Squadron emblem (approved 7 July 1994) | |
| 310th Air Commando Squadron emblem (approved 29 September 1965) | |
| 310th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem (approved 11 January 1965) | |
| 310th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem (approved 13 October 1944) | |
The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 310th Troop Carrier Squadron. After training in the United States, the squadron deployed to the European Theater of Operations. It participated in combat and airlift operations until V-E Day, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions on D-Day. Following the end of hostilities, it participated in the airlift of American troops back to the United States until inactivating in Trinidad in the summer of 1945.
The 310th was activated again in the reserve in June 1949. It was mobilized for the Korean War and performed airlift missions until February 1953, when it was released from active duty and inactivated. From February 1955 to September 1956, the squadron served as a helicopter unit in a trial of the Air Force using rotary wing aircraft to support the Army It was activated again in 1963 in the early buildup of American forces for the Vietnam War It served under several designations until the withdrawal of American forces from Vietnam in 1972, earning a number of decorations for its actions.
In 1984, the squadron was activated as the 310th Military Airlift Squadron in the Panama Canal Zone. It provided airlift throughout South and Central America, including participation in Operation Just Cause until inactivating with the withdrawal of United States forces from Panama in 1999.