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14th Weapons Squadron

May 08, 2024

The 14th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School, stationed at Hurlburt Field, Florida.

14th Weapons Squadron
14th Weapons Squadron Lockheed MC-130 using flares
Active1942-1949; 1967–1968; 2003–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeSquadron
RoleAdvanced Special Operations Training
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQHurlburt Field, Florida
Nickname(s)Puff the Magic Dragon (1967–1968) Air Commandos (2003–present)
Engagements
Vietnam War[1]
Decorations
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1]
Insignia
14th Weapons Squadron emblem (approved 5 September 1942)[1]
Patch with 14th Air Commando Sq emblem

The squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The mission of the squadron is to produce weapons officers for the special operations community by providing graduate level instructional flying on Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft through weapons instructor courses. Currently, the squadron produces special operations force weapons officers specializing in Lockheed AC-130, Lockheed MC-130 and Pilatus U-28 aircraft.

The unit traces its lineage back to the 14th Observation Squadron and participated in the landings at Normandy in June 1944. Later, during the Vietnam era, the 14th Air Commando Squadron, flew Douglas AC-47 Spooky gunships between 1967 and 1968. The 14th flew out of Nha Trang Air Base, Phan Rang Air Base, Bien Hoa Air Base, and Binh Thuy Air Base, providing fire support in defense of US air bases, special forces camps, Republic of Vietnam Army outposts, and South Vietnamese hamlets. Decorations of this combat unit include the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device.

These two units were consolidated in 1985.

History edit

World War II edit

Activated in 1942 as a liaison and observation squadron, supported US Army maneuvers by flying photo and tactical observation missions, spotting artillery fire, 1942 until early 1944.[1]

Deployed to Europe in early 1944, providing courier service, observation, mail and other liaison services in support of the US Army advance through France and Germany, Jul 1944-May 1945; dropped medical supplies, food, and ammunition to an Army battalion stranded on the Moselle River, Nov 1944; supported the Third Army during the Battle of the Bulge, Dec 1944-Jan 1945; added medical evacuation to its tasks in Apr 1945.[1]

Supported US occupying forces in Germany, May-Sep 1945.[1]

Vietnam War edit

Combat in Vietnam, Jan-May 1968; provided aerial fire support in defense of USAF forces, including bases, camps, outposts, and hamlets in southern half of country.[1]

Advanced special operations training edit

 
An MH-53 Pave Low helicopter at Hurlburt Field, Florida
 
"From SPOOKY to Spectre" from the USAF Art Collection, artist depiction of an AC-130 Spectre and AC-47 Spooky gunship, both engaging targets

The current unit was organized as the Weapons School Special Operations Forces Division on 15 March 2000 at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The unit designation was changed to Detachment 1, 16th Operations Group on 10 August 2000 to align it with the group charged with providing aircraft and personnel who would help build the course.

Redesignated in 2003 as the 14th Weapons Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Florida, to provide advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to Special Operations officer aircrew members in the Lockheed AC-130H Spectre, Lockheed AC-130U Spooky, Sikorsky MH-53 Pave Low, Lockheed MC-130E Combat Talon I, Lockheed MC-130H Combat Talon II, Lockheed MC-130P Combat Shadow, and Lockheed MC-130J Commando II special operations aircraft. The MH-53 Pave Low weapons instructor course ended with the retirement of the MH-53 aircraft.

Lineage edit

14th Liaison Squadron
  • Constituted as the 14th Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 February 1942
Activated on 2 March 1942
Redesignated 14th Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942
Redesignated 14th Liaison Squadron on 2 April 1943
Inactivated on 25 March 1949
Consolidated with the 14th Air Commando Squadron as the 14th Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985[1]
14th Weapons Squadron
  • Constituted as the 14th Air Commando Squadron (Fire Support) on 19 October 1967 and activated (not organized)
Organized on 25 October 1967
Discontinued and inactivated on 1 May 1968
Consolidated with the 14th Air Commando Squadron as the 14th Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985
  • Redesignated 14th Weapons Squadron on 24 January 2003
Activated on 3 February 2003[1]

Assignments edit

Stations edit

Aircraft edit

References edit

Citations edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Bailey, Carl E. (7 August 2008). "Factsheet 14 Weapons Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  2. ^ Station number in Anderson.
  3. ^ a b c d Station number in Johnson.
  4. ^ Station information in Bailey, except as noted.

Bibliography edit

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

  • Anderson, Capt. Barry (1985). (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL yes: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 January 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2017.
  • Johnson, 1st Lt. David C. (1988). (PDF). Maxwell AFB, AL: Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2017.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  • Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.

May 08, 2024
14th, weapons, squadron, united, states, force, unit, assigned, usaf, weapons, school, stationed, hurlburt, field, florida, lockheed, using, flaresactive1942, 1949, 1967, 1968, 2003, presentcountry, united, statesbranch, united, states, forcetypesquadronrolead. The 14th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit It is assigned to the USAF Weapons School stationed at Hurlburt Field Florida 14th Weapons Squadron14th Weapons Squadron Lockheed MC 130 using flaresActive1942 1949 1967 1968 2003 presentCountry United StatesBranch United States Air ForceTypeSquadronRoleAdvanced Special Operations TrainingPart ofAir Combat CommandGarrison HQHurlburt Field FloridaNickname s Puff the Magic Dragon 1967 1968 Air Commandos 2003 present EngagementsVietnam War 1 DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V Device Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm 1 Insignia14th Weapons Squadron emblem approved 5 September 1942 1 Patch with 14th Air Commando Sq emblem The squadron is a geographically separated unit of the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base Nevada The mission of the squadron is to produce weapons officers for the special operations community by providing graduate level instructional flying on Air Force Special Operations Command aircraft through weapons instructor courses Currently the squadron produces special operations force weapons officers specializing in Lockheed AC 130 Lockheed MC 130 and Pilatus U 28 aircraft The unit traces its lineage back to the 14th Observation Squadron and participated in the landings at Normandy in June 1944 Later during the Vietnam era the 14th Air Commando Squadron flew Douglas AC 47 Spooky gunships between 1967 and 1968 The 14th flew out of Nha Trang Air Base Phan Rang Air Base Bien Hoa Air Base and Binh Thuy Air Base providing fire support in defense of US air bases special forces camps Republic of Vietnam Army outposts and South Vietnamese hamlets Decorations of this combat unit include the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V Device These two units were consolidated in 1985 Contents 1 History 1 1 World War II 1 2 Vietnam War 1 3 Advanced special operations training 2 Lineage 2 1 Assignments 2 2 Stations 2 3 Aircraft 3 References 3 1 Citations 3 2 BibliographyHistory editWorld War II edit Activated in 1942 as a liaison and observation squadron supported US Army maneuvers by flying photo and tactical observation missions spotting artillery fire 1942 until early 1944 1 Deployed to Europe in early 1944 providing courier service observation mail and other liaison services in support of the US Army advance through France and Germany Jul 1944 May 1945 dropped medical supplies food and ammunition to an Army battalion stranded on the Moselle River Nov 1944 supported the Third Army during the Battle of the Bulge Dec 1944 Jan 1945 added medical evacuation to its tasks in Apr 1945 1 Supported US occupying forces in Germany May Sep 1945 1 Vietnam War edit Combat in Vietnam Jan May 1968 provided aerial fire support in defense of USAF forces including bases camps outposts and hamlets in southern half of country 1 Advanced special operations training edit nbsp An MH 53 Pave Low helicopter at Hurlburt Field Florida nbsp From SPOOKY to Spectre from the USAF Art Collection artist depiction of an AC 130 Spectre and AC 47 Spooky gunship both engaging targets The current unit was organized as the Weapons School Special Operations Forces Division on 15 March 2000 at Hurlburt Field Florida The unit designation was changed to Detachment 1 16th Operations Group on 10 August 2000 to align it with the group charged with providing aircraft and personnel who would help build the course Redesignated in 2003 as the 14th Weapons Squadron at Hurlburt Field Florida to provide advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to Special Operations officer aircrew members in the Lockheed AC 130H Spectre Lockheed AC 130U Spooky Sikorsky MH 53 Pave Low Lockheed MC 130E Combat Talon I Lockheed MC 130H Combat Talon II Lockheed MC 130P Combat Shadow and Lockheed MC 130J Commando II special operations aircraft The MH 53 Pave Low weapons instructor course ended with the retirement of the MH 53 aircraft Lineage edit14th Liaison Squadron Constituted as the 14th Observation Squadron Light on 5 February 1942 Activated on 2 March 1942 Redesignated 14th Observation Squadron on 4 July 1942 Redesignated 14th Liaison Squadron on 2 April 1943 Inactivated on 25 March 1949 Consolidated with the 14th Air Commando Squadron as the 14th Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985 1 14th Weapons Squadron Constituted as the 14th Air Commando Squadron Fire Support on 19 October 1967 and activated not organized Organized on 25 October 1967 Discontinued and inactivated on 1 May 1968 Consolidated with the 14th Air Commando Squadron as the 14th Special Operations Squadron on 19 September 1985 Redesignated 14th Weapons Squadron on 24 January 2003 Activated on 3 February 2003 1 Assignments edit Air Force Combat Command 2 March 1942 Army Air Forces 9 March 1942 26th Observation Group 29 March 1942 73d Observation Group later 73d Reconnaissance Group 7 March 1943 I Air Support Command later I Tactical Air Division 11 August 1943 United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe 4 April 1944 attached to US Third Army for operations Ninth Air Force 10 April 1944 attached to US Third Army for operations XIX Tactical Air Command 25 April 1944 attached to US Third Army for operations until 15 November 1944 then to Twelfth United States Army Group XII Tactical Air Command 4 July 1945 attached to Twelfth United States Army Group for operations until 26 July 1945 then to US Third Army for operations 70th Fighter Wing 5 October 1945 attached to US Third Army for operations until 7 Jun 1946 then to US Constabulary 64th Fighter Wing 10 July 1946 attached to US Constabulary for operations XII Tactical Air Command 1 May 1947 attached to US Constabulary for operations until c August 1947 Hq Bad Kissingen Air Base 6 October 1947 United States Air Forces in Europe 20 December 1947 attached to Headquarters Command United States Air Forces in Europe after 20 February 1948 7150th Air Force Composite Wing 1 July 1948 25 March 1949 14th Air Commando Wing 25 October 1967 1 May 1968 USAF Weapons School 3 February 2003 present 1 Stations edit Ayer Army Air Field Massachusetts 2 March 1942 Hillsgrove Army Air Field Rhode Island 20 May 1942 Naval Air Station Quonset Point Rhode Island 9 June 1942 Hyannis Army Air Field Massachusetts 9 July 1942 Vichy Army Air Field Missouri 17 August 1942 William Northern Field Tennessee 8 September 1942 Godman Field Kentucky 7 March 1943 Camp Campbell Army Air Field Kentucky 25 June 1943 operated from Lebanon Tennessee 27 June 1943 4 February 1944 Statesboro Army Air Field Georgia 6 February 24 March 1944 Alderley Edge Cheshire England 9 April 1944 Knutsford Cheshire England 11 May 1944 RAF Ibsley AAF 347 2 England 29 June 1944 Nehou Normandy France 6 July 1944 Le Repas France 2 August 1944 Beauchamps France 4 August 1944 Poilley Manche France 7 August 1944 St Germain France 12 August 1944 La Bazoge Manche France 15 August 1944 Dampierre sur Avre France 20 August 1944 Courcy aux Loges France 25 August 1944 Saint Maurice aux Riches Hommes France 30 August 1944 Marson France 4 September 1944 Gussainville France 14 September 1944 Nancy Essey Airport Y 42 3 France 12 October 1944 Luxembourg Sandweiler Airfield A 97 3 Luxembourg 31 December 1944 Idar Oberstein Germany 27 March 1945 Berkersheim Germany 3 April 1945 Hersfeld Rotenburg Germany 11 April 1945 Erlangen Germany 22 April 1945 Regensburg Profening Airfield R 66 3 Germany 2 May 1945 Holzkirchen Airfield R 93 3 Germany 23 May 1945 Bamberg Germany 10 July 1946 Heidelberg Germany 10 February 1947 AAF Bad Kissingen Germany 5 September 1947 Heidelberg Germany 20 December 1947 Wiesbaden Air Base Germany 20 February 1948 25 March 1949 Nha Trang Air Base South Vietnam 25 October 1967 1 May 1968 Hurlburt Field FL 3 February 2003 present 4 Aircraft edit Stinson L 1 Vigilant 1942 1943 Piper L 4 Grasshopper 1942 1943 Stinson L 5 Sentinel 1943 1947 Cessna C 78 Bobcat 1944 1945 Douglas AC 47 Spooky 1967 1968 1 Lockheed MC 130E Combat Talon I 2000 2006 citation needed Sikorsky MH 53J Pave Low 2000 2006 citation needed Sikiorsky MH 53M Pave Low 2000 2006 citation needed Lockheed MC 130P Combat Shadow 2000 2013 citation needed Lockheed AC 130H Spectre 2000 2014 citation needed Lockheed AC 130U Spooky 2000 present citation needed Lockheed MC 130H Combat Talon II 2000 present citation needed Pilatus U 28A 2012 present citation needed References editCitations edit a b c d e f g h i j k Bailey Carl E 7 August 2008 Factsheet 14 Weapons Squadron ACC Air Force Historical Research Agency Retrieved 1 June 2018 Station number in Anderson a b c d Station number in Johnson Station information in Bailey except as noted Bibliography edit nbsp This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency Anderson Capt Barry 1985 Army Air Forces Stations A Guide to the Stations Where U S Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II PDF Maxwell AFB AL yes Research Division USAF Historical Research Center Archived from the original PDF on 23 January 2016 Retrieved 28 June 2017 Johnson 1st Lt David C 1988 U S Army Air Forces Continental Airfields ETO D Day to V E Day PDF Maxwell AFB AL Research Division USAF Historical Research Center Archived from the original PDF on 29 September 2015 Retrieved 26 June 2017 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint numeric names authors list link Maurer Maurer ed 1982 1969 Combat Squadrons of the Air Force World War II PDF reprint ed Washington DC Office of Air Force History ISBN 0 405 12194 6 LCCN 70605402 OCLC 72556 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 14th Weapons Squadron amp oldid 1221519915, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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