919th Special Operations Wing
The 919th Special Operations Wing (919 SOW) is an Air Reserve Component (ARC) unit of the United States Air Force. The 919 SOW is assigned to the Tenth Air Force of the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and is stationed at Duke Field (Eglin Air Force Auxiliary Field #3), Florida.
| 919th Special Operations Wing | |
|---|---|
920 RQW MC-130E, AF Ser. No. 64-0559, departs Duke Field on its final flight | |
| Active | 1963–1965; 1971–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Wing |
| Role | Special Operations |
| Size | 1,300 personnel |
| Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Duke Field, Florida |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel Kevin Merrill |
| Insignia | |
| 919 Special Operations Wing emblem (approved 21 August 1980) | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Transport | C-145A, C-146A |
The 919 SOW is an associate unit of the 1st Special Operations Wing (1 SOW), Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), at nearby Hurlburt Field, Florida. If mobilized, the 919 SOW is operationally gained by AFSOC.
The wing is composed of approximately 1,300 reservists. Air Reserve Technicians, commonly referred to as ARTs, are the nucleus of the wing. They provide management continuity to keep units combat ready. ARTs carry dual status as full-time civil service employees for the Air Force who, as a condition of employment, must concurrently participate as Air Force Reservists, but who wear their uniforms and use their rank titles all the time. More than 280 ARTs and 35 civilians support the wing in day-to-day operations, augmented by approximately 900 Traditional Reservists (TR) during unit training assemblies, active duty periods, and mobilizations.