193rd Special Operations Wing: Difference between revisions

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==History==
==History==
===World War II===
Activated on 1 October 1942 at [[RAF Duxford]], England as the '''[[347th Fighter Squadron]]'''. Initially assigned to [[VIII Fighter Command]], reassigned to [[Twelfth Air Force]] and engaged in combat in the [[North African Campaign]] and later based in [[Italy]] as part of the [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations]] (MTO). Engaged in combat during Sicilian and Italian Campaigns, also flew combat missions from Sardinia and in the Rhone Valley of France, 1944.
Activated on 1 October 1942 at [[RAF Duxford]], England as the '''[[347th Fighter Squadron]]'''. Initially assigned to [[VIII Fighter Command]], reassigned to [[Twelfth Air Force]] and engaged in combat in the [[North African Campaign]] and later based in [[Italy]] as part of the [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations]] (MTO). Engaged in combat during Sicilian and Italian Campaigns, also flew combat missions from Sardinia and in the Rhone Valley of France, 1944. Inactivated on 7 November 1945.
===Pennsylvania Air National Guard===
The wartime 347th Fighter Squadron was reactivated and re-designated as the '''148th Fighter Squadron''', and was allotted to the [[Pennsylvania Air National Guard]], on 24 May 1946. It was organized at [[Reading Municipal Airport]], Pennsylvania and was extended federal recognition on 27 February 1947. The 148th Fighter Squadron was entitled to the history, honors, and colors of the 347th. The squadron was equipped with [[F-51 Mustang]]s and was assigned to the [[112th Fighter Group]] at [[Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station|Pittsburgh Airport]] as a Geographically Seperated Unit (GSU).


The unit was called to active federal service on 1 February 1951 for duty in the [[Korean War]]. The squadron was sent to [[Dover AFB]], Delaware where it assumed an air defense mission. The squadron was re-equipped with [[F-84C Thunderjet]]s to perform air defense over the [[Delmarva Peninsula]]. It was upgraded to the dedicated [[F-94B Starfire]] interceptor by October 1951. It was released from active duty and returned to Pennsylvania commonweath control on 1 November 1952.
Inactivated November 1945 and allocated to [[Pennsylvania Air National Guard]], 1946, being re-designated '''148th Fighter Squadron''', and assigned to [[Reading Army Airfield]] as a geographically separated unit of the [[112th Fighter Group]] at [[Pittsburgh IAP Air Reserve Station|Pittsburgh Airport]].


Remained under ADC control after return Reading, was re-designated as a Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. Equipped with F-51D Mustangs with an air defense mission for Southeastern Pennsylvania and [[Philadelphia]].
The squadron was activated at Reading AAF on 22 April 1947 with [[P-47 Thunderbolt|P (later F-47) Thunderbolts]]. On 10 February 1951 the squadron was federalized due to the [[Korean War]] and brought to active duty at [[Dover AFB]], Delaware.


With the end of the line for the Mustang in USAF service, the [[United States Air Force]], in an effort to upgrade to an all jet fighter force, required Air National Guard Air Defense Command units to upgrade to jet-powered aircraft. The Reading Airport Commission and National Guard authorities found themselves in a conflict over the use of Reading Municipal Airport for tactical jet operations. Unable to resolve these differences the Air Force inactivated the 148th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 30 June 1956.
It was released from active duty on 1 November 1952 and was equipped with the [[F-51 Mustang]] for interceptor duty. In 1956, as propeller driven F-51 Mustang fighters faded into history, the unit was redesignated the 140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron, flying the [[C-46 Commando]] and later the [[C-119 Flying Boxcar]].

However, the National Guard Bureau's and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's desire to retain the unit brought a new mission and a numeric designation to the organization, the '''[[140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron]]''' which was was allotted to the [[Pennsylvania Air National Guard]], and activated on 1 July 1956 using propeller-driven aircraft.

The '''140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron''' was bestowed the lineage and history of the inactivated Pennsylvania ANG 148th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The unit was re-equipped, flying the [[C-46 Commando]] and later the [[C-119 Flying Boxcar]].


In 1964, the unit relocated to its current location at [[Olmsted Air Force Base]] (present day Harrisburg International Airport) to flying the [[C-121]] [[Lockheed Constellation]]. Olmsted runways and facilities were better suited to the larger C-121s. In 1964, it was again redesignated, this time as the 168th Military Air Transport Group.
In 1964, the unit relocated to its current location at [[Olmsted Air Force Base]] (present day Harrisburg International Airport) to flying the [[C-121]] [[Lockheed Constellation]]. Olmsted runways and facilities were better suited to the larger C-121s. In 1964, it was again redesignated, this time as the 168th Military Air Transport Group.

Revision as of 21:20, 17 September 2012

193d Special Operations Wing
193d Special Operations Wing emblem
Active1942 – present
CountryUnited States
BranchAir National Guard
TypeWing
RolePsychological Warfare
Part ofPennsylvania Air National Guard
Garrison/HQOlmsted Air National Guard Base
Motto(s)Never Seen, Always Heard
Commanders
Current
commander		Colonel Jerry Otterbein
EC-121 Constellation – 193d Tactical Electric Warfare Group, 1978
An 193rd EC-130E in 1992.
EC-130E (left) and EC-130J of the 193d Special Operations Wing, in 2004.

The 193d Special Operations Wing (193 SOW) is a unit of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, stationed at Olmsted Air National Guard Base, Middletown, Pennsylvania. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Force Special Operations Command.

Mission

The 193d SOW's primary wartime and contingency operations mission is to broadcast radio and television signals to target populations from an airborne transmitter, jamming existing television and radio signals where necessary. Messages are not developed within the wing itself, but are provided by staff of the United States Army's 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.[1]

Units

The 258th Air Traffic Control Squadron (formerly the 114th Tactical Control Flight) at Johnstown-Cambria County Airport was assigned to the 193 SOW, but was realigned into the ANG's 171st Air Refueling Wing (171 ARW) at Pittsburgh International Airport/Air Reserve Station shortly after moving to Johnstown.

History

World War II

Activated on 1 October 1942 at RAF Duxford, England as the 347th Fighter Squadron. Initially assigned to VIII Fighter Command, reassigned to Twelfth Air Force and engaged in combat in the North African Campaign and later based in Italy as part of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO). Engaged in combat during Sicilian and Italian Campaigns, also flew combat missions from Sardinia and in the Rhone Valley of France, 1944. Inactivated on 7 November 1945.

Pennsylvania Air National Guard

The wartime 347th Fighter Squadron was reactivated and re-designated as the 148th Fighter Squadron, and was allotted to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, on 24 May 1946. It was organized at Reading Municipal Airport, Pennsylvania and was extended federal recognition on 27 February 1947. The 148th Fighter Squadron was entitled to the history, honors, and colors of the 347th. The squadron was equipped with F-51 Mustangs and was assigned to the 112th Fighter Group at Pittsburgh Airport as a Geographically Seperated Unit (GSU).

The unit was called to active federal service on 1 February 1951 for duty in the Korean War. The squadron was sent to Dover AFB, Delaware where it assumed an air defense mission. The squadron was re-equipped with F-84C Thunderjets to perform air defense over the Delmarva Peninsula. It was upgraded to the dedicated F-94B Starfire interceptor by October 1951. It was released from active duty and returned to Pennsylvania commonweath control on 1 November 1952.

Remained under ADC control after return Reading, was re-designated as a Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. Equipped with F-51D Mustangs with an air defense mission for Southeastern Pennsylvania and Philadelphia.

With the end of the line for the Mustang in USAF service, the United States Air Force, in an effort to upgrade to an all jet fighter force, required Air National Guard Air Defense Command units to upgrade to jet-powered aircraft. The Reading Airport Commission and National Guard authorities found themselves in a conflict over the use of Reading Municipal Airport for tactical jet operations. Unable to resolve these differences the Air Force inactivated the 148th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 30 June 1956.

However, the National Guard Bureau's and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania's desire to retain the unit brought a new mission and a numeric designation to the organization, the 140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron which was was allotted to the Pennsylvania Air National Guard, and activated on 1 July 1956 using propeller-driven aircraft.

The 140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron was bestowed the lineage and history of the inactivated Pennsylvania ANG 148th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. The unit was re-equipped, flying the C-46 Commando and later the C-119 Flying Boxcar.

In 1964, the unit relocated to its current location at Olmsted Air Force Base (present day Harrisburg International Airport) to flying the C-121 Lockheed Constellation. Olmsted runways and facilities were better suited to the larger C-121s. In 1964, it was again redesignated, this time as the 168th Military Air Transport Group.

In 1967, it was transferred to Tactical Air Command (TAC) and redesignated the 193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Group. Four of its C-121s were converted to EC-121S Coronet Solos for its electronic warfare mission. The unit transitioned to the EC-130E Commando Solo in 1977 and was redesignated the 193d Special Operations Group, assigned to TAC.

In the mid-1980s, along with all other USAF special operations units, it was assigned to the 23d Air Force of the Military Airlift Command (MAC). Following the creation of the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) in the 1990s, the unit was reassigned to AFSOC and redesignated the 193d Special Operations Wing. In 2001, the wing transitioned from the EC-130E to the EC-130J Commando Solo.

The wing has seen extensive overseas service, to include Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operations Support Democracy and Uphold Democracy and Operation Desert Storm, as well as more recent service in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Odyssey Dawn.

Lineage

  • Activated on 1 Oct 1942 by special authority prior to constitution as 347th Fighter Squadron on 2 October 1942.
Inactivated on 7 November 1945.
  • Re-designated 148th Fighter Squadron, and allotted to Pennsylvania ANG, on 24 May 1946
148th Fighter Squadron extended federal recognition on 27 February 1947
Federalized and placed on active duty, 10 February 1951
Re-designated: 148th Fighter Squadron, 10 February 1951
Released from active duty and returned to Pennsylvania commonwealth control, 1 November 1952
Re-designated: 148th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 1 November 1952
Re-designated: 148th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 July 1955
Inactivated on 30 June 1956
  • Re-designated: 140th Aeromedical Transport Squadron and activated 1 July 1956
Status changed from Squadron to Group, 16 February 1964
Re-designated: 168th Military Air Transport Group, 16 February 1964
Re-designated: 193d Tactical Electronic Warfare Group, 1 June 1967
Re-designated: 193d Special Operations Group, 1 June 1977
Status changed from Group to Wing, 1 June 1995
Re-designated: 193d Special Operations Wing 1 June 1995

Assignments

Gained by: Military Air Transport Service
Gained by: Tactical Air Command, 1967
Gained by: 23d Air Force, Military Airlift Command, 1985
Gained by: Air Force Special Operations Command, 1990 – present

Stations

Aircraft

Decorations

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ Harold Kennedy (February 2002). "Why Special Ops Prefer C-130s for Many Missions". National Defense Magazine.
  2. ^ Air Force Personnel Center Awards Search (Post-1991)

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=193rd_Special_Operations_Wing&oldid=513258558"