Lineage. Established as 1 Special Operations Group on 21 Sep 1992. Activated on 22 Sep 1992. Resdesignated as: 16 Operations Group on 1 Oct 1993; 1 Special Operations Group on 16 Nov 2006.
Assignments. 1 Special Operations (later, 16 Special Operations; 1 Special Operations) Wing, 22 Sep 1992-.
Operational Components. Squadrons: 3 Special Operations: 28 Oct 2005-1 Oct 2007. 4 Special Operations: 1 May 1995-. 6 Special Operations Squadron (formerly, 6 Special Operations Flight): 1 Apr 1994-1 Oct 2012. 8 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-. 9 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-. 15 Special Operations: 1 Oct 1992-. 16 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-1 Jun 2009. 19 Special Operations: 24 May 1996-1 Oct 2008. 20 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-1 Dec 2009. 34 Special Operations: 9 Apr 2010-. 55 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-11 Nov 1999. 73 Special Operations: 1 Oct 2006-1 Oct 2007. 319 Special Operations: 1 Oct 2005-.
Flights: 6 Special Operations (later, 6 Special Operations Squadron): 1 Apr 1994-1 Oct 2012.
Stations. Hurlburt Field, FL, 22 Sep 1992-.
Commanders. Col Norton A. Schwartz, 22 Sep 1992; Col Jack R. Holbein Jr., 14 May 1993; Col Gary W. Heckman, 6 Sep 1994; Col Richard L. Comer, 28 Jun 1996; Col James B. Connors, 25 Apr 1997; Col Donald C. Wurster, 4 Sep 1997; Col Lyle M. Koenig, 5 Jun 1998; Col Robert G. Leonik, 24 Jan 2000; Col Thomas R. O’Boyle, 27 Jun 2002; Col Brian H. Greenshields, 6 Oct 2003; Col Mark B. Alsid, 6 Jul 2005; Col Dennis Pannell, 19 Jul 2007; Col Albert M. Elton II, 2 Jul 2009; Col Tony D. Bauernfeind; 17 Jun 2011; Col Shawn D. Cameron, Jun 2013-.
Aircraft. AC-130, 1992-; HC-130, 1992-1996; MC-130, 1992-; MH-53,1992-2008; MH-60, 1992-1999; UH-1, 1997-2012; MQ-1, 2005-2007; U-28, 2005-, CV-22, 2006-.
Operations. The group managed flying operations for special operations squadrons of the 1 (later, 16 , later 1) Special Operations Wing. It deployed personnel and equipment worldwide in support of contingencies, humanitarian relief, and exercises that included Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, Kuwait, and Central America, performing combat search and rescue in Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1993-1996, and in Operations Deny Flight, and Northern and Southern Watch in Iraq. As the wing’s flying coordinator, the group deployed squadron elements to participate in Operations Provide Comfort in Iraq and Deny Flight, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1993-1995. It supported Operation Deliberate Force/Joint Endeavor, Aug-Sep 1995 and Dec 1996, flying combat missions and attacking targets critical to Bosnian-Serb Army operations. Squadrons of the group participated in Operations Northern and Southern Watch in 1997 and again in combat operations in Desert Thunder, Feb-Jun 1998 and Desert Fox, 17-21 Dec 1998 against Iraq. The group assumed an additional mission, supporting the Aerospace Expeditionary Forces in Feb 2000. From 2001, regularly deployed elements to Afghanistan, Iraq and other regions to conduct combat operations in the Global War on Terror.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat “V” Device: 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999; 1 Jul 2003-30 Jun 2005; 1 Sep 2006-30 Jun 2007. Gallant Unit Citation: 6 Oct 2001-30 May 2003. Meritorious Unit Awards: 1 Jul 2007-30 Jun 2009; 1 Oct 2009-30 Sep 2011. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: [22 Sep] 1992-15 Apr 1994; 1 Jun 1995-31 May 1997; 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999; 1 Jul 1999-30 Jun 2001; 1 Jul 2001-30 Jun 2003; 1 Sep 2004-31 Aug 2006.
Lineage, Assignments, Components, Stations, and Honors through Sep 2013.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Sep 2013.
Supersedes statement prepared on 29 Aug 2007.
Emblem. Group will use the wing emblem with the group designation in the scroll.
Prepared by Patsy Robertson.
Reviewed by Carl E. Bailey.