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Attention 3rd ACS/SOS Veterans:

The 3rd ACS/SOS Squadron Historian would appreciate Vietnam Era Veterans, of the Squadron, contacting him as he is gathering information on their Wartime activities.
Personal accounts of service are needed as well as facts and figures.
Anyone willing to share their story can contact Captain Erik L, Howg, AFSOC 3 SOS/CDXP at howg0001@hotmail.com

He is also looking for Volunteers to visit Cannon AFB, NM and speak to the Squadron personnel about their experiences.

20th Helicopter Squadron

20th Special Operations Squadron

 

20th Helicopter Squadron, scrapbook residue on back, callsign "Pony", known as the "Pony Express", UnUsed........inquire

partial History
Callsign changed to "Green Hornets" in 1967
Unit operated as an Air Commando Unit in Thailand and Vietnam
one Pilot was awarded the MOH
Redesignated 20th SOS in 1968
- - - -
20th Special Operations Squadron

Supported MACV/SOG Operations
 
  

20th SOS, RFU, Thailand made by Maharajah of Udorn, Used.....(sold)
- - - -
 

20th Special Operations Squadron, Thai made...(Sold)

20th SOS "GREEN HORNETS", cheesecloth backing, UnUsed.......inquire

( The 20th latest patch design has 4 stars below the Hornet = this might be an older design? )
- - - -

20th Special Operations Squadron Coffee Cup......(sold)
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20th SOS UH-1N Helicopter

 

RFU, Used.......inquire
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20th UH-1N Twin-Huey in action
notice the "Hornet" stencil on the tail boom


( DOD picfile )
- - - -
partial History
Constituted 20th Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 Feb 1942. Activated on 2 Mar 1942. Redesignated: 20th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942; 20th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter) on 2 Apr 1943; 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron on 11 Aug 1943. Inactivated on 27 Nov 1945.
Consolidated (19 Sep 1985) with the 20th Helicopter Squadron, which was constituted on 24 Feb 1956.
Activated on 9 Jul 1956. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 8 Mar 1960.
Activated on 24 Sep 1965. Organized on 8 Oct 1965
Redesignated 20th Special Operations Squadron on August 1, 1968; Inactivated April 1, 1972
Activated January 1, 1976
Assignments
Eighteenth Air Force, 9 Jul 1956 (attached to 314th Troop Carrier Wing, 9 Jul 1956–); Ninth Air Force, 1 Sep 1957–8 Mar 1960 (remained attached to 314th Troop Carrier Wing to 16 Jul 1959; attached to 354th Tactical Fighter Wing, 16 Jul 1959–8 Mar 1960). Pacific Air Forces, 24 Sep 1965; 2d Air Division, 8 Oct 1965 (attached to 6250th Combat Support Group, c. 10 Dec 1965–8 Mar 1966); 14th Air Commando (later, 14th Special Operations) Wing, 8 Mar 1966; 483d Tactical Airlift Wing, 1 Sep 1971–1 Apr 1972. 1st Special Operations Wing, 1 Jan 1976; 1st Special Operations (later, 16th Operations) Group, 22 Sep 1992–.
Stations
Sewart AFB, TN, 9 Jul 1956; Myrtle Beach AFB, SC, 16 Jul 1959–8 Mar 1960. Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam, 8 Oct 1965; Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam, 15 Jun 1966; Tuy Hoa AB, South Vietnam, 5 Sep 1969; Cam Ranh Bay AB, South Vietnam, 25 Sep 1970–1 Apr 1972. Eglin AF Auxiliary Field No. 9 (Hurlburt Field), FL, 1 Jan 1976–.
Aircraft
H–21, 1956–1960
CH–3, 1965–1969
UH–1F/P, 1967–1972
UH–1N, 1976–1985
CH–3E, 1976–1980
MH–53, 1980 –
Operations
Trained in aerial reconnaissance, Mar 1942–Dec 1943. Combat in CBI, 31 Jan 1944–5 May 1945. Trained using special operations helicopters, 1956–1960. Combat in Southeast Asia, Dec 1965–Mar 1972. Trained in special operations and conducted humanitarian missions, 1976–. Combat in Panama, Dec 1989–Jan 1990, and Kuwait, Jan–Feb 1991.
21st Helicopter Squadron (1967 - 1968)

21st Special Operations Squadron (1968 - 1975)

Operated in Southeast Asia from November 1967 – August 1975

 - - - -
21st "DUSTDEVILS"

I was told the White disc is the earlier design - first one I have seen - maybe for the 21st HEL SQ(?)

 

Made in Thailand, UnUsed.......inquire
 - - - -
3509L - Plaque for the Rescue of the SS Mayaguez's Crew

Plaque is also for the 23rd TASS  and 40th ARRS

 

3509L - Large (14") wooden Plaque for the Rescue/Recovery of the SS Mayaguez and crew on May 15, 1975 from Cambodian (Khmer Rouge) control.  The 16th SOS, 21th SOS, 23rd TASS, & 40th ARRS plus other USAF Units participated in the Rescue.  (This operation was carried-out by: Air Force, Navy, and Marine Units against Khmer Rouge forces)  The 21st SOS (Callsign KNIFE) lost several personnel & helicopters on this Mission.  Six of seven 40th ARRS (Jolly Green) Helicopters suffered battle damage.
Marines Rifle Units suffered many casualties.  The most tragic day of the operation occurred on the 13th when "Knife 13" (of the 21st SOS) was lost and all 23 Air Force personnel of the 21st SOS and 56th Security Police Squadron perished.  A RARE United States Air Force item from the Operation that earned more decorations (4 x Air Force Crosses, 22 x Silver Stars, and numerous: Air Medals, Bronze Stars, and Purple Hearts) than any other single Air Force operation in it's History.  Plaque made by Bito's in Angeles City, Philippines, a few scratches, 2-3 chips from the side-paint,  Used.....inquire
 - - - -
21st SOS, 56th SOW

 

"21st SP OP SQ" Thai made patch with the callsign "Knife" ( most have the "DUSTDEVILS" bottom arc ), this Unit did 3 x well-known Operations in 1975: Eagle Pull, Frequent Wind ( our Vietnam Embassy extraction ), and the SS Mayaquez Rescue, minor stain on bottom-right, UnUsed......inquire
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 21st SOS Eagle Pull

 

21st Special Operations Squadron "CONSECUTIVE MONTHS OF QUICK REACTION ALERT" "EAGLE PULL" "21ST SP OPS SQDN",  5.25" patch, Asian made, Operattion Eagle Pull was the extraction of U. S. Personnel from our Embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on April 11-13, 1975, Unused.........inquire

(  for another Eagle Pull patch see the  16th SOS  )
- - - -
partial History
21st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) Consolidated September 16, 1956 with 21st Helicopter Squadron which had been Constituted February 24, 1956
Activated July 9, 1956 at Donaldson AFB, SC flying H-21s; Assigned to 18th Air Force (Attached to 63rd TCW July 9, 1956 – 30 June 1957; 314th TCW June 30, 1957)
ReAssigned to Ninth Air Force September 1 through October 15, 1957 (remained attached to 314th Troop Carrier Wing through c.8 October 1957)
InActivated October 5, 1957
ReActivated at Shaw AFB, SC in 1967; Assigned to Tactical Air Command June 30, 1967; Assigned to 507th Tactical Control Group July 15, 1967
56th Air Commando (later, 56th Special Operations) Wing November 27, 1967
Thirteenth Air Force 30 Jun–22 Sep 1975 (attached to 656th Special Operations Wing, 30 Jun–22 Sep 1975)
39th Special Operations Wing, 1 May 1988 (attached to Joint Special Operations Task force, 13 Jan–18 Mar 1991 and 6 Apr–10 Jun 1991)
352d Special Operations Group, 1 Dec 1992– (attached to Joint Special Operations Task Force 2 Mar–12 Jul 1993)
Stations
Moffett Field, CA, 1 Feb 1940
Hamilton Field, CA, 10 Sep–Oct 1941
Nichols Field, Luzon, c. 20 Nov 1941 (air echelon operated from Clark Field, c. 9–c. 15 Dec 1941)
Lubao, Luzon, c. 25 Dec 1941
Bataan, Luzon, c. 4 Jan–Apr 1942 (a portion of the air echelon operated from Mindanao, c. 9 Apr–c. 1 May 1942)
Donaldson AFB, SC, 9 Jul 1956–15 Oct 1957
Shaw AFB, SC, 15 Jul–27 Nov 1967
Nakhon Phanom RTAFB, Thailand, 27 Nov 1967–22 Sep 1975 (air echelon operated from Ubon RTAFB, Thailand, 11–13 Apr 1975; the USS Midway, 20 Apr–2 May 1975; and U–Tapao RTNAF, Thailand, 2–5 May and 14–16 May 1975)
RAF Woodbridge, England, 1 May 1988 (deployed at Batman AB, Turkey, 13 Jan–18 Mar 1991; Diyarbkir AB, Turkey, 6 Apr–10 Jun 1991)
RAF Alconbury, England, 1 Apr 1992– (deployed at Brindisi AB, Italy and Incirlik AB, Turkey, 2 Mar–12 Jul 1993)
Aircraft
Probably P–36 1940–1941
P–40 1941–1942
H–21 1956–1957
CH–3 1967–1971
CH–53 1970–1975
MH–53 1988 –
Operations
Combat in the Philippine Islands, 8 Dec 1941–c. 1 May 1942; ground echelon fought as infantry unit in Bataan, 18 Jan–c. 8 Apr 1942. Carried as an active unit but was not operational from the fall of the Philippines until inactivation. Combat in Southeast Asia, Nov 1967–Aug 1973. Airlifted personnel from Saigon, Apr 1975 and airlifted US Marines in rescue of the SS Mayaquez, May 1975. Provided support to coalition forces during Southwest Asia conflict, Jan–Mar 1991 and later
22nd Special Operations Squadron

A-1H (AD-6) "Night Fighter" Patch made in Thailand

 

well-made Thai patch, maker's stain below-right of the "1", UnUsed.......inquire
- - - -
partial History
22nd SOS stationed at NKP, RTAFB, Thailand circa 1968 - 1970 assigned to the 56th SOW
Flew: A-1Es, A-1Gs, A1-H and A-1Js
Flew HCM Trail and Close Air Support missions
Used Callsign ZORRO ( Operation Tropic Moon I (602nd SOS DET-2) also used ZORRO as a cover for their missions )
 24th Special Operations Wing

24th Composite Wing

     

24th SOW,  circa 1968 - 1972,  UnUsed......inquire
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24th Composite Wing


24th Composite WG, RFU, Used...........inquire

foreigh made (Canal Zone?), RFU, Used......inquire

 
- - - -
partial History
Established as 24th Composite Wing (Special) 19 Nov 1942; Activated 25 Dec 1942; Disestablished 15 Jun 1944
Reestablished as 24th Composite Wing 5 Aug 1946; Activated 25 Aug 1946; Inactivated 28 Jul 1948
Activated 30 Oct 1967; Organized 8 Nov 1967 in the Canal Zone replacing the 5700th Air Base Wing
Redesignated 24th Air Commando Wing  15 Mar 1968
Redesignated 24th Special Operations Wing 15 Jul 1968
Redesignated 24th Special Operations Group 30 Jun 1972
Redesignated 24th Composite Group 15 Nov 1973
Redesignated 24th Composite Wing 1 Jan 1976; Inactivated 31 Jan 1987
Activated 1 Jan 1989; Inactivated 15 Feb 1991
Redesignated 24th Wing 1 Feb 1992; Activated 11 Feb 1992; Inactivated 31 October 1999
Operations
Organized in November 1967 in the Canal Zone, replacing the 5700th Air Base Wing
Wing assumed operation and maintenance responsibilities for Howard and Albrook Air Force Bases and a Special Operations mission that included: air transport, paramilitary operations, exercise participation, civic actions in Central and South America, search and rescue missions, humanitarian operations, mercy missions, aeromedical evacuation, support of Army Special Forces, US military assistance units, and training of Latin American air forces.
34th Tactical Group (1963 - 1965)

"VIGILANTES"

This outfit was the Aviation Pioneering unit in Vietnam for Tactical Aircraft, Weapon Systems, and Munitions
 - - - -
 

34th TAC GP at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, Hand-embroidered in Vietnam, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.....inquire
 - - - -

34th Tactical Group, hand-embroidered in Vietnam, RFU, Used.....inquire

34th TAC GP, circa 1965, HE at Bien Hoa, RVN, RFU, Used.......inquire

- - - -
34th TAC GP at BIEN-HOA AB, VIET-NAM, circa 1964-1965

Drunkards by Choice - Fighters by Trade - Lovers by Nature

Flying B-57C Canberras from Bien-Hoa and drinking Bier 33s

 

Ba Muoi Ba (33) beer, Hand Embroidered in Vietnam, 2 pin holes where it was mounted on a display-board, UnUsed.......inquire
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 3378AH - 34th TAC GP Bush Hat


click on picture
- - - -
partial History
34th TAC GP Reactivated June 19, 1963; Organized July 8, 1963 to train VNAF Pilots, FACs, & Observers
They also flew: Close Air Support, Escort and Interdiction, PSYWAR, Aerial Supply, FAC, & Tactical liaison
The 1st ACS conducted First tests of the FC-47 gunship in combat starting in December 1964
The 34th was DeActivated and Replaced by the 6251st TFW July 8, 1965
Assignments
Pacific Air Forces June 19, 1963
2d AD July 8, 1963 - 8 July 1965
Now serving at the United States Air Force Academy
Squadron
1st Air Commando Squadron 8 July 1963 - 8 July 1965
8th Bombardment Squadron attached 5 August-3 November 1964
13th Bombardment Squadron attached 5 August-3 November 1964; 17 February-16 May 1965
19th Tactical Air Support Squadron 8 July 1963 - 8 August 1964; 21 October 1964-8 July 1965
602d Fighter Squadron (Commando) 18 October 1964 - 8 July 1965
Stations
Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of South Vietnam July 8, 1963 to July 8, 1965
Aircraft
B-26 Invader (1963-1964)
FC/C-47 Skytrain (1963-1965)
 O-1 Bird Dog (1963-1965)
T-28 Trojan (1963-1964)
U-10 Super Courier (1963-1965)
A-1 Skyraider (1964-1965)
B-57C Canberra (1964-1965)
 56th Air Commando Wing

56th Special Operations Wing
- - - -
DET-1, 56th SOW Patch

Water Pump  "EVERY MAN A TIGER" Insignia

More pictures available if you are seriously interested in purchasing the patch

Patch by the Maharajah Tailor Shop of Thailand                                                                            How it is worn on the Sawadee Shirt
scanned at 300dpi
 

Large insignia made in Thailand, UnUsed.....inquire

- - - -
partial History for the Water Pump Mission
Project Water Pump was conceived circa late-1963 by PACAF with the idea of deploying an Air Force Special Air Mission to Thailand to train Royal Laotian Air Force (RLAF) pilots to fly missions to counter the Communist backed Pathet Lao forces in Laos. RLAF personnel were also to be trained in maintaining the aircraft.

On March 5, 1964 a Special Air Warfare(SAW) mission, Codename Water Pump, was ordered to be sent to Udorn, Thailand for 6 months of Temporary Duty(TDY).  The unit sent was Detachment 6, 1st Air Commando Wing equipped with 4 x T-28's and staffed with 41 personnel. Det-6 relocated to Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base(RTAFB), Thailand circa April-May of 1964. Water Pump T-28s were painted with RLAF markings and assigned to the RLAF.

On June 10, 1966 Detachment 6, 1st Air Commando Wing (ACW) was Redesignated Detachment 1, 606th Air Commando Squadron known as the Lucky Tiger Squadron(insignia depicted a Tiger with a 4-leaf Clover on it's neck).

(?? I believe the physical Water Pump operations stayed at Udorn but the 606th ACS was Headquartered at NKP?? )

Redesignated later as Detachment-1, 56th SOW.

(??The remaining RAVEN FACs may have been merged with the Water Pump Mission??)

Circa late-1973 the Water Pump Mission was taken from the 56th SOW and ReAssigned to USMACTHAI (Thailand Liaison Detachment in Bangkok (probably the outfit that used part of the Navy-managed Capitol Hotel)).

(?? Water Pump may have been used to assist the Khmer Air Force after moving to USMACTHAI??)

Anyone with additional, or more correct information, email
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
pre-August 1968 - 56th ACW Gas-Lighter

 

56th ACW "NCO OPEN MESS", stamped on bottom: "IN Corona" "Ballade", New-in-Box......inquire
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3509DY - 56th ACW Officer's Open Mess Brass drinking Cup

 

3509DY - 4.5"high mug inscribed "56th Air Commando Wing, 1968, Nakhon Phanom RTAFB OOM”, with wooden-sided-handle, Used....inquire
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UnCommon 56th Air Commando Wing, made in Japan

 

56th ACW Japan made, UnUsed......inquire
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56th SOW Novelty patches


4-Nation Flag, Thai made, UnUsed......inquire

"Piss-Test" Participant Southeast Asia Goldenflow, Thai made, Urine test for drugs, UnUsed...(sold)

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56th SOW Insignia made at NKP RTAFB, Thailand


U. S. Flag, made in NKP, Thailand, scrapbook residue on back, small stains, UnUsed......inquire

KILL "That Others May Live", Thai made, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.....(sold)

Thailand Flag, Thai made, scrapbook residue on back, stained on right side, UnUsed......inquire

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56th SOW Novelty Patch

 

Ski Mu Gia Pass, NVN 5300 (feet) Elevation, 3 7/8", Thai made, from a 56th Special Operations Wing Pilot, EC......inquire
( made in the same style as many Air America patches, same shop(?) )
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56th SOW/TFA Information Officer's Insignia

found with a Grouping from a 56th SOW Veteran, circa 1969

( This patch was designed by a veteran of the 56th SOW when he was with Task Force Alpha (Igloo White) )

Only a few Originals were ever made

 

"OVER 100 STORY KILLS IN SOUTH EAST ASIA" "LAST TO KNOW FIRST TO GO", Thai made at NKP, UnUsed......inquire
( found with a Grouping from a 56th SOW Veteran )

Information on this patch from the designer
"The design depicts a typewriter superimposed over a crossed pen and quill, flanked by two martini glasses on a green field. These are the working tools of an IO. The white cloud above is supposed to be a Kotex with the word "information" written on it in blood. The purple shield contained the phrase "Over 100 story Kills in Southeast Asia", echoing all the 100 this and that's that were major markers in a SEA tour. Below is a scroll with the IO's motto, "Last to know, first to go." This is because, historically, the IO is the first person fired when there is a public flap and the last person to know that the flap is on in the first place. The purple and green colors allude to the fact that I see a purple and green checkerboard pattern when I get a hard knock on the head. The 56th and TFA (Task Force Alpha) were both highly classified units. It became a joke that I would write up stories and 7th AF in Saigon would reject them because of the sensitivity of the mission. No matter how hard I camouflaged things, they rarely let anything out, even the most innocuous home town stuff.
I had to have something to put on my party suit so I ginned up the patch. One of the local shops in NKP made the patch with much confusion on their part as to what I wanted. As I recall, I had about a dozen made, put one on my party suit, kept a couple, and gave the rest to info specialists in the 56th and TFA offices. It was probably designed and made while I was with TFA since my party suit has captain's bars on it and I was only an O-3 for my last six months in SEA.
Only wore the suit a few times but got some laughs for the patch, so it served it's purpose."
( I have modified the above )

Task Force Alpha(TFA)
This operation monitored sensors planted along the Ho Chi Minh Trail
The nerve center for Igloo White(TFA) was located at NKP in eastern Thailand, across the Mekong River from Laos.
The TFA Infiltration Surveillance Center was the biggest building in Southeast Asia.
The project broke ground in July 1967 and was in operation before the end of the year.
It had several names, to include: “Dutch Mill” & "Operating Location No. 1”; the most popular was Task Force Alpha
- - - -
Detachment One, 56th SOW

DET One stationed at Udorn RTAFB - Departed Udorn September 31, 1973

 

DET-1, 56th SPEC OPNS WG "EVERY MAN A TIGER", 4.25" Thai made, UnUsed..(sold)

( from same NKP RTAFB collection as the 606th SOS FAC & 606th SOS Nimrod )
(all 3 patches have the similar Blue glue deposit on the back)
- - - -
Royal Laotian Air Force (RLAF) 

Lao Tactical Air Command worked with DET-1, 56th SOW

1 of 60 patches made in Japan

   

Japan made for the Lao Pilots in the Waterpump Project at Udorn RTAFB, UnUsed.....(sold)
( also on the RVN/Lao/Khmer page )
partial History from the Designer/maker:
"Of the sixty patches that I purchased in 1968 I gave 5 of them to non-Lao Pilots. I know where all but one of those 5 are. That one (meaning the above patch) may have been the one I gave to the Air Force "Sergeant" at Udorn Thailand who helped design the patch and order it for me. ....... As for the Lao Pilots (Patch recipients) I know most were either captured or KIA."
( I have edited the above )
- - - -
56th SOW Presentation Plaque


56th SOW, Thai made, RFU, never washed-minor wear, Used..........(sold)


Above 56th SOW patch used on this Plaque for presentation to Major Borders, current CO of the 56th SFS



Former Air Force Security Police SSgt Phil Carroll presents a plaque honoring the warriors of the 56th Security Forces Squadron to Squadron Commander Major Michael Borders on October 9, 2009, during a ceremony with the Vietnam Security Police Association at Luke Air Force Base. The plaque was from the many VSPA members who served with the 56th at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base during the Vietnam War. (Photo courtesy Steven Hall Photography)

58th Special Operations Wing
- - - -
Lockheed Martin "MTSS"
MTSS = Military Training Support System(?)

Not positive but I think this is part of the training done by the 58th SOW at Kirtland AFB, NM


UnUsed.......inquire
58th Tactical Training Squadron
predecessor of the 58th Training Squadron, at Kirtland AFB, now training for the 58th SOW
listed on USAF Squadrons page
3509BP - 71st Air Commando Squadron

"AD INFEROS GLORIA ADSEQUAMUR OPERA"

RVN Era
While the C-119s were being modified (circa late-1967 into May 1968) to AC-119G configuration the Crews (many from the 434th TCGp (or Wing?) (AFRS from Indiana) were undergoing Gunship Training with the 4434th CCTW at Lockbourne AFB, Ohio; next came Jungle Training at Eglin AFB, Florida.  The first AC-119G was delivered in May 1968; unit was Designated the 71st Air Commando Squadron June 15, 1968; almost immediately ReDesignated the 71st SOS July 8, 1968.  The 71st SOS continued training until Deploying to Nha Trang, RVN in November 1968 and Assigned to the 14th SOW on December 20, 1968. The Squadron choose the callsign "SHADOW" and their aircraft were known as AC-119G Shadows. The 71st was Replaced (on paper) by the 17th SOS; these were the only Squadrons to fly the AC-119Gs.
- - - -
71st ACS patch used for 23 days

Squadron then Redesignated the 71st SOS = an UnCommon Patch
 

3509BP - 71st ACS, ME with cheesecloth backing, I believe this insignia was authorized for wear for 3 Weeks in 1968!
Air Medal named to a Pilot who flew AC-119s out of Phan Rang, Vietnam in 1969.
Senior Pilot's Badge is marked "Sterling  12-C".
Grouping is in Good Condition......inquire

( Redesignated 71st ACS June 15, 1968; 3 weeks later Redesignated 71st SOS July 8 1968 )


( Patch in Special OPs box, other parts in 3509 boxes )

( also on USAF Gear page )
- - - -
71st Special Operations Squadron 'SHADOW", "C" Flight

"C" Flight stationed at Tan Son Nhut

scanned at 300dpi

 71ST SOS "TAN SON NHUT VIET-NAM" with a 'C' in a circle, Beercan DI made in Vietnam, Used......inquire
- - - -
partial History
Redesignated 71st Tactical Airlift Squadron July 1, 1967
Redesignated 71st Air Commando Squadron June 15, 1968
Redesignated 71st Special Operations Squadron July 8, 1968
Relieved from active service June 18, 1969
The Unit became the 17th SOS (on paper) and apparently the 71st SOS returned to the Air Force Reserve in Indiana
Inactivated October 1, 1973
Activated in the Reserve October 1, 1987; Inactivated October 1, 1993
Activated May 20, 2005
Assignments
930th Troop Carrier Group February 11, 1963
1st Air Commando Wing June 1, 1968
14th Special Operations Wing December 20, 1968
930 Special Operations Group June 10, 1969 - October 1, 1973
919th SOGp (later Wing) 1990 - 1993
Stations
Lockbourne AFB, OH June 17 1968 - ?
Eglin AFB, FL (movement date to Eglin unknown)
Nha Trang AB, South Vietnam 20 December 1968 - 1 June 1969
"C" Flight stationed at Tan Son Nhut, RVN
"???" Flight stationed at Phan Rang, RVN(???)
"???" Flight stationed at Phu Cat, RVN(???)
Bakalar AFB, IN 10 June 1969
Grissom AFB, IN 15 January 1970 - 1 October 1973
Davis-Monathan AFB, AZ 1990 - 1993
Aircraft
AC-119G 1968 - 1969
C-119 1970
A-37 1971 - 1973
129th Air Commando Squadron
 - - - -
Extremely well-made Bullion-thread patch


129th ACS, Issue with pigtail, cheesecloth backing material, UnUsed.........inquire

Bullion thread, extremely-thick bullion, made in Scotland (United Kingdom), New-in-Plastic Bag.....inquire


"SCOTTISH IMPORTS Ltd." stamped label on reverse of Bullion patche
- - - -
partial History
Activated 129th Air Resupply Squadron and Allocated to National Guard Bureau (NGB) on April 3, 1955
129th Troop Carrier Squadron, 1 November 1958
129th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium), 28 January 1962
129th Air Commando Squadron, 1 July 1963
129th Special Operations Squadron, 8 August 1968
129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, 3 May 1975
129th Air Rescue Squadron, 1 October 1989
129th Rescue Squadron, 16 March 1992
129th Rescue Squadron October 1, 1995 -
Assigned:
129th Wing ( see below for the Wing's previous designators )
Stationed:
Hayward Airport 1956 - 1980
Naval Air Station Moffett Field (later, Moffett Federal Airfield) 1980 -
Aircraft :
C-46 Air Commando Transports
In 1956 the Group received Black-Painted Amphibious SA-16 (re-designated HU-16) Albatross aircraft
The C-46's were phased-out by 1962 leaving the Squadron flying HU-16s
SA-16 Albatross 1963 - 1968
C-119 Flying Boxcar 1968 - 1975
Cessna U-3A 1968 - 1975
U-6A Beaver 1968 - 1975
Ran a U-6 "Beaver" training mission for the USAF called "Lucky Tiger" for RVN bound personnel
U-10D Super Courier 1968 - 1975
HH-3E Jolly Green Giant 1975 - 1991
HH-60G Pave Hawk 1991 -

I believe you will find conflicting dates and information between the 129th Squadron and 129th Group = tough unit to research.
129th Air Commando Group

"In Pace Et Bello-Noctem Et Diem" = In Peace and War, Night and Day

 

129th ACGp, residue on back, UnUsed.....inquire

( see 129th ACS above for some Group/Wing History )
- - - -
partial History for the 129th Group(Wing)
Activated as 129th Air Resupply Group on April 3, 1955; Allocated to National Guard Bureau (NGB) on April 3,1955
Redesignated:
129th Troop Carrier Squadron November 1, 1958
129th Troop Carrier Group (Medium) January 28, 1962
129th Air Commando Group July 1, 1963
129th Special Operations Group August 8, 1968
129th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Group May 3, 1975
129th Air Rescue Group October 1, 1989
129th Rescue Group March 16, 1992
129th Rescue Wing October 1, 1995 -
Major Command:
Air National Guard/Continental Air Command (1956)
Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1956-1984)
Air National Guard/Military Airlift Command (1984-1990)
Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command (1990-1992)
Air National Guard/Air Combat Command (1992-2003)
Air National Guard/Air Force Special Operations Command (2003-2005)
Unit Assigned:
129th Air Resupply Squadron (see the 129th Squadron above for all the designators assigned to it)
Stationed:
Hayward Airport 1956 - 1980
Naval Air Station Moffett Field (later, Moffett Federal Airfield) 1980 -
Aircraft :
SA-16 Albatross (1963-1968)
C-119 Flying Boxcar (1968-1975)
Cessna U-3A (1968-1975)
U-6A Beaver (1968-1975)
U-10D Super Courier (1968-1975)
HH-3E Jolly Green Giant (1975-1991)
HH-60G Pave Hawk (1991-Present)
HC-130P Hercules (1980-2002)
MC-130P Combat Shadow (2002-Present)
partial Insignia History
The Air Force Shield, bordered in white, a gold and blue background with two elongated stars in the blue field. A silver broad sword with red handle and hand protector divides the gold and blue fields. Superimposed over the sword and both fields is an olive wreath in green. The unit name is in blue on a white scroll.
The emblem bears the colors of deep blue and gold for the Air Force and the colors red, white and blue for the United States of America. The sword symbolizes strength in war; the wreath symbolizes the peacetime mission. The deep blue field with the two stars and the gold field signify the nighttime and daytime environments in which the wing operates.

I believe you will find conflicting dates and information between the 129th Squadron and 129th Group(Wing) = tough unit to research.

Spook unit, formerly 135th Air  Resupply Squadron; later Redesignated 135th Special Operations Squadron of the  MD ANG

135th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium)

This insignia was worn a short time, 1962-63

See on Transport page
 
193rd Special Operations Squadron


193rd SOS "PHYCHO WARRIORS" "NEVER SEEN - ALWAYS HEARD", UnUsed........inquire
( for the Mission in Afghanistan from 2004 - 2005, per the note with the patch )

193rd SOS "AIRWAYS PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN" "1994 - VOODOO RADIO - 2004", UnUsed......inquire
( for the Operation in Honduras from 1994 to 2004, per the note with the patch )
302nd Special Operations Squadron
 
"ANYWHERE  ANYTIME"

302nd SOS active from 1974 - 1987


302nd Special Operations Squadron, mid-1970s, RFU, Used....(sold)

302nd SOS, fine-mesh backing, RFU, border damaged, pre-1987, Used.....inquire

- - - -
 

pebble backing material (type used on the SS Mayaguez patches), short pigtail,  UnUsed.......inquire
- - - -
9920F - 302nd SOS Shirt


(see shirt on USAF Gear Page, #9920F)
- - - -
partial History
Constituted 302 Fighter Squadron July 4 1942; Activated 13 Oct 1942; Redesignated 302 FS (Single Engine) August 21, 1944; Inactivated March 6, 1945
Activated in the Reserve October 8, 1956; Redesignated 302 ARRS January 18, 1966; Redesignated 302nd SOS April 10, 1974
Consolidated (September 19, 1985) with 302nd Air Rescue Squadron(which was constituted August 1, 1956);
Redesignated 302nd TFS July 1, 1987; Redesignated 302nd FS February 1, 1992
Assigned:
Western Air Force Reserve Region, 31 Dec 1969
Tenth Air Force, 8 Oct 1976
Fourth Air Force, 1 Mar 1983
944 Tactical Fighter (later, 944 Fighter) Group, 1 Jul 1987
944 Operations Group, 1 Aug 1992 -
Stations:
Williams AFB, AZ, 8 Oct 1956; Luke AFB, AZ, 23 Oct 1960 -
Aircraft:
SA(later, HU)-16 1956-1971;  HH-34 1971-1974;  CH-3 1974-1987;  HH-3 1985-1987;  F-16, 1987 -

Performed SAR, in addition to some MEDEVAC missions, mainly in the Southwest from 1956-1974
 In 1974 switched to a combat SAR role, while continuing to perform some search and rescue
309th Air Commando Squadron

"PRIMUM"

scanned at 300dpi

309th ACS, Beercan DI made in Vietnam, Used.......inquire
310th Air Commando Squadron
- - - -
310th ACS

"LIBERTATEM SUSTENTAMUS"

300dp

Beercan DI made in Vietnam, Used......inquire
- - - -
310th Air Commando Squadron's Styron's Stallions

( circa October 1964 to September 1965 )

 

310th ACS of the 315th Air Commando Group, Vietnam made, Unused.......inquire

( named after the Squadron Commander...see his Bush Hat #3378AL listed below )
3378AL - Air Commando Bush hat

The Best Air Commando Hat I have seen!
 
310th ACS Commanding Officer's Bush Hat

bringback by LTC Woodland "Woody" M. Styron - served in Vietnam during 1964-65

    
Blue Band denotes Aircrew Status

 
Very Rare "COUP-QUALIFIED" Arc
( see explanation below )

 
ARVN Airborne Bullion beret badge          "MAAG VIETNAM" Beercan       Command Pilot's Wing

 
MACV Finger Novelty patch          "Sorry Bout That"(pinned-on)      "Biere "33" Export"
 
made by Luong Than - 64 Hai Ba Trung Saigon

 
Vietnamese Airborne Beret Insignia                     309th Air Commando Squadron "PRIMUM"
( he was stationed at TSN - an ARVN Airborne Center )
          
2nd Air Division        Military Advisory and Assistance Group Vietnam        310th Air Commando Squadron "Libertatum Sustentamus"

                            
310th ACS              309th ACS                   311th ACS                       19th ACS                8th Aerial Port SQ

 
33rd Tac GP      315th TC GP          "Viet-Nam" Arc  & "Coup-Qualified" Tab                     310th TCS

   
Air Force Communication Service                        33rd CAMRON Viet-nam Tigers  &  34th Tactical Group Vigalantes

3378AL - LTC Styron's Bush Hat, CO of 310th Air Commando Squadron, October 13 1964 - September 9 1965, "Coup Qualified" (see below for explanation), Excellent Condition.....inquire
- - - -
partial History
( "Coup Qualified" Arc = in February 1965, General Nguyen Van Thieu joined forces with
Air Vice Marshall Nguyen Cao Ky in a coup d'etat against General Nguyen Khanh's Government )

( Colonel Styron's personal 310th ACS Styron's Stallions patch is listed above )
 311th Air Commando Squadron

"PRIOR SEMPER SINE TIMORE" = "ALWAYS FIRST WITHOUT FEAR"

circa March 8, 1965 to July 31, 1968
- - - -
311th ACS Beercans made in Vietnam

scanned at 300dpi

larger with Latin motto, with "J" post Pin Back, Used......(sold)

with English motto, Used.......inquire
- - - -
311th Air Commando Squadron beercan DI

scanned at 300dpi

pinback missing, made in Vietnam 1965-66, Used.......inquire
- - - -
 

RFU K-2B, Used......(sold)
- - - -
311th ACS "COUP QUALIFIED" Arc


from same Pilotas Patch above, UnUsed.........inquire

 
- - - -
Mission VIETNAM


64 page Booklet by the 7th Air Force, uncommon item, Used.......78.00
- - - -
VIETNAM - The Shadow War


aproximately 60 pages, 1st edition dated 1967, edited by Al Kramer, published by N-F Photo, distributed by  Kodansha of Palo Alto, CA, Used........68.00
- - - -
partial History
Constituted 311 Troop Carrier Squadron on 23 Oct 1943. Activated on 1 Nov 1943. Inactivated on 15 May 1946.
Redesignated 311 TCS (M) 10 May 1949. Activated in the Reserve on 27 Jun 1949. Ordered to active service on 1 Apr 1951. Inactivated 2 Apr 1951.
Redesignated 311 TCS(Assault) and activated 24 May 1963; Organized July 8, 1963;
Redesignated: 311 ACS(Troop Carrier) March 8, 1965; 311 ACS(Tactical Airlift) August 1, 1967; 311 SOS August 1, 1968; 311 TAS Jamuary 1, 1970.
 Inactivated October 5, 1971
Assignments
7th AF 22 Jul 1945; U.S. Army Forces, Middle Pacific, 31 Jul 1945; VIII Air Force Service Command, 1 Sep 1945; 54 Troop Carrier Wing, 15 Feb-15 May 1946. 349 Troop Carrier Group, 27 Jun 1949-2 Apr 1951. 315 Troop Carrier (later, 315 Air Commando) Group, 8 Jul 1963; 315 Air Commando (later, 315 Special Operations; 315 Tactical Airlift) Wing, 8 Mar 1966 - October 5, 1971
Stations
Okinawa, 22 Aug 1945-15 May 1946. Hamilton AFB, CA, 27 Jun 1949-2 Apr 1951. Da Nang AB, RVN July 8, 1963; Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam, 21 Jul 1967-5 Oct 1971
Aircraft
C-47, 1943-1945; C-53, 1943-1944; C-46, 1945-1946. C-46, 1949-1951. C-123, 1963-1971. C-21A, 1997-.
Operations
In Aug 1945 it moved to Okinawa and continued its airlift mission until May 1946. The 311th trained in C-46 aircraft from Jun 1949-Apr 1951. In Vietnam, the 311th flew cargo and passengers in support of I and II Corps. In addition, the unit flew flare, communications cover, air evacuation and search missions for downed aircraft.
315th Air Commando Group (Troop Carrier)

scanned at 300dpi

315th AC Gp (TC), Beercan DI made in Vietnam, Used.......inquire
436th Airlift Wing

 "SPECIAL OPERATIONS"


 "NIGHT RIDERS" C-5 GALAXY, Unused......(sold)
437th MAW Special Operations

(Active as a MAW from 1965 - 1991)

(Flew: C-124/130/141/5 in the 1960s to 1973)
 

437th MAW "SPECIAL OPERATIONS" "SPIRIT & STRENGTH ALWAYS", this insignia is for C-141s flying in the "Special Operations Low-Level (SOLL) role, UnUsed.......inquire

(also shown on  Troop Carrier Page )

( Associated with a Special Operations "Combat Control Team(s) circa 1981 - 1984 )
550th Special Operations Squadron


modern, UnUsed.....inquire
partial History of the Air Resupply & Communications Units

( Borrowed from Wikipedia.......as they have Borrowed Picfiles from my site )

Air Resupply units were the successors to the WWII Air Commando Squadrons and the fore-runners of the 1960s ACS/SOS units
A quote on one of their Association Web Sites states their job was to "Drop and Resupply Ranger type Units"

Mission
Introducing, evacuating and supplying guerrilla-type units in enemy occupied territory.
Storing and packaging psychological warfare propaganda materials and storing and packing supplies used by guerilla-type personnel.
Housing, supplying, administering, training and briefing guerilla-type personnel.
Composing and reproducing psychological warfare propaganda.
Composing and transmitting by radio, psychological warfare propaganda.
Providing and maintaining communications circuits and communications security for the transmission and reception of intelligence material and for the analysis of such intelligence material.
Perform such other functions as may be assigned.

History
In 1950 Two Special Operaions Wings devoted to the PSYWAR mission were created and Scheduled to be activated in 1952.
The plan called for three additional wings to be activated in 1953, with future growth programmed to seven wings.
On 5 January 1951 the Military Air Transport Service (MATS) was tasked to organize, train, and equip these new wings.
For security purposes, the special operations wings were designated "Air Resupply and Communications wings".
A new service was established to provide oversight for this new capability and was Designated the Air Resupply and Communications Service (ARCS).
Activated on 23 February 1951 at Andrews AFB, Maryland, the ARCS represented the most ambitious commitment to special operations since World War II and was responsible for oversight of the PSYWAR mission of the US Air Force. The catalyst for this new capability was the requirement by the CIA for long-range air transport of guerrilla warfare agents and supplies into Soviet occupied Europe and Northwest Asia. ARCS was responsible for USAF unconventional warfare (guerrilla warfare), direct action (commando-type raids), strategic reconnaissance (intelligence gathering), and PSYWAR operations.

Aircraft assigned to a Wing
12 x specially modified B-29 heavy bombers
4 x C-119 heavy transports
4 x SA-16 amphibians
4 x H-19A helicopters
All aircraft were in New Condition, except for the B-29s, which had been pulled from storage at Warner Robins AFB, Georgia.
=====================  2nd list for Aircraft flown =====================
C-119 Flying Boxcar (1950–1953)
B-29 Superfortress (1951–1953)
SA-16 Albatross (1951–1953)
Sikorsky H-19 (1952–1953)
C-54 Skymaster (1952)
C-118 (1952–1953)

Five other non-flying squadrons were assigned to support the wing's operations by providing maintenance, cargo airdrop rigging, long-range communications, and PSYWAR/leaflet production. One unique squadron was devoted to preparing guerrilla-type personnel for insertion into enemy occupied territory.

Extensive modifications were required for the B-29 Superfortress to enable it to perform the special operations mission. All turrets, except the tail turret, were removed from the aircraft, leaving the aircraft unarmed and incapable of self-defense. A parachutist’s exit was made where the belly gun turret was originally located. Resupply bundles were mounted on bomb racks inside the bomb bay, thus allowing the bundles to be dropped like bombs over the drop zone. Aircraft were painted black, and a crude HTR-13 obstruction-warning radar was installed to warn the crew of approaching terrain. The major flaw in the B-29 employed in the special operations role, however, was that it had been designed for high-altitude precision bombing, not low-level airdrop. Over the drop zone at drop airspeed, the aircraft was near its stall speed and was difficult to maneuver.

A B-29 was assigned to the 580th ARCW and conducted trials at Eglin AFB, Florida during the summer of 1951 to determine if the aircraft could be used to extract personnel utilizing the prototype Personnel Pickup Ground Station extraction system. The test aircraft was modified with a 48-inch-diameter (1,200 mm) opening in place of the aft-belly turret and with an elongated tailhook at the rear of the aircraft. The system was similar to the one adopted in 1952 by Fifth Air Force for the C-47s of the Special Air Missions detachment in South Korea. The tests proved technically feasible, but the project was dropped for the B-29 aircraft due to aircraft size and safety considerations of flying it so close to the ground.

Stations
Headquarters, Air Resupply and Communications Service - Andrews AFB, Maryland
580th Air Resupply and Communications Wing - Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 16 Apr 1951 – 17 Sep 1952; Wheelus Air Base, Libya, 22 Sep 1952 – 8 Sep 1953
580th Air Resupply Group - Wheelus Air Base, Libya, 8 Sep 1953 – 12 Oct 1956
581st Air Resupply and Communications Wing - Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 23 Jul 1951 – 18 Jul 1952; Clark Air Base, Philippines, 18 Jul 1952 – 8 Sep 1953
581st Air Resupply Group - Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, 8 Sep 1953 – 1 Sep 1956
582nd Air Resupply and Communications Wing - Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 24 Sep 1952 – 1 May 1953; Great Falls AFB, Montana, 1 May – 14 Aug 53
582nd Air Resupply Group - RAF Molesworth, England, 21 Feb 1954 – 25 Oct 1956
( see below for more 582nd history )
1300th Air Base Wing (Training) - Mountain Home AFB, Idaho

Deactivation
By 1953 USAF interest in the unconventional warfare mission had run its course. The primary reason for this reduction was funding. The Air Force was essentially operating a national-level special operations program for an agency outside the Department of Defense—the CIA—with dollars needed for higher priority strategic forces. With the rapid buildup of the Strategic Air Command to counter Soviet Cold War aggression and the resulting funding requirements, the lesser priority PSYWAR mission was curtailed.

In April 1953 the Air Staff directed ARCS to limit operations to Air Force only projects, thus ending support for such outside agencies as the CIA. Nine months later Department of the Air Force Letter 322 and Military Air Transport Service General Order 174 deactivated ARCS, effective 1 January 1954.

In September 1953, after the Korean Armistice was signed that ended active conflict on the Korean peninsula and three months before deactivation of the ARCS, the three active wings were reduced to air resupply groups. The downsized groups were approximately one-half the size of the former wings and consisted of two squadrons—one flying squadron and one support squadron, as compared to six squadrons in each wing before the reorganization

General Order 37, Headquarters Seventeenth Air Force, dated 12 October 1956, deactivated the 580th ARG in place in Libya.
Third Air Force General Order 86, dated 18 October 1956, deactivated the 582d ARS, effective 25 October 1956.
With the deactivation of the 581st at Kadena AB in September 1956, the USAF closed the book on the long-range unconventional warfare mission around which the ARCS and its associated wings were based.

Eight years later, the United States found itself in the Vietnam War, and the formation of the Air Commando, later renamed Special Operations Wings.
In 1990, the Air Force formed the Air Force Special Operations Command.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
581st Air Resupply Squadron

"WE DELIVER"

successor to the WWII Air Commando Squadrons

 

581st ARS stationed in the Pacific, Stork carrying 3 items in diappers in it's beak, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.......inquire

conflicting IDs on this patch:
An Air Commando site has it ID's as the 581st ARS
The USAFPatch.com site has it as the 1501st PMS
- - - -
582nd Air Resupply Squadron
 
"WE DELIVER"

Supported the Army's 10th Special Forces Group stationed at Bad Tolz, Germany

In 1956 the 582nd was ReDesignated 42nd Troop Carrier Squadron
- - - -
 

UnUsed......inquire
- - - -
partial History for the 582nd
Squadron Assigned to the 582nd Air Resupply and Communications Service Wing, circa  1953 - 1956
Stationed at Mountain Home and in England
The 582d ARW was activated at Mountain Home AFB, Idaho on 24 September 1952. As the previous two wings had done, the 582d spent its first year at Mountain Home AFB training and preparing assigned personnel for its PSYWAR mission. Having been newly redesignated the 582d Air Resupply Group, it deployed from Mountain Home AFB to RAF Molesworth, United Kingdom (UK), and set up operations in Europe in February 1954.
The 582d was assigned directly to Third Air Force and provided the bulk of its air support to the Army 10th Special Forces Group, which had been transferred in total from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to Bad Tölz, West Germany. For the next two and one-half years, the 582d worked closely with the 10th Group providing airdrop, resupply, and airland support with its assigned B-29 and C-119 aircraft.
The versatile SA-16 was utilized for amphibious missions, including night water-infiltration/exfiltration operations. Assigned SA-16s were also tasked to fly classified courier missions throughout the Mediterranean, Middle East and southern Europe.
On 25 October 1956 the 582d was reorganized and reflagged as the 42d Troop Carrier Squadron. The 42d flew HU-16s, C-47s, C-119s and C-54 Douglas Skymaster cargo transport aircraft from Molesworth until 3 May 1957 when it moved 13 miles up the road to RAF Alconbury. However the squadron had a short life at Alconbury and was deactivated on 8 December 1957. The C-54s and C-47s were sent to Rhein-Main Air Base West Germany, and the C-119s were sent to the 322nd Air Division at Evreux-Fauville Air Base France.

Established as the 582d Air Resupply and Communications Wing on 3 September 1952; Activated 24 September 1952; Inactivated 14 August 1953
Re-designated 582d Air Resupply Group 21 February 1954; Activated 21 February 1954; Inactivated 25 October 1956
Assignments
Air Resupply And Communications Service, 24 September 1952 – 14 August 1953
United States Air Forces in Europe, 21 February 1954 – 25 October 1956
Units
582d Air Resupply and Communications Group, 24 September 1952 – 25 October 1956; Not Operational, 15 August 1953 – 20 February 1954
582d Air Resupply Squadron, 20 May 1953 – 24 October 1956; Not Operational, 15 August 1953 – 20 February 1954
Other non-flying support squadrons
Stations
Mountain Home AFB, Idaho, 24 September 1952 – 1 May 1953
Great Falls AFB, Montana, 1 May – 14 August 53
RAF Molesworth, England, 21 February 1954 – 25 October 1956
Aircraft
C-119 Flying Boxcar 1951–1956
B-29 Superfortress 1951–1956
SA-16 Albatross 1951–1956
 602nd Fighter Squadron (Commando) (1963 - 1968)

602nd Special Operations Squadron (1968 - 1970)
- - - -
602nd FS(C) - early-Vietnam Era

 

602nd FS(C), hand-embroidered in Vietnam, RFU, Used......(sold)
- - - -
602nd Fighter Squadron (Commando)

100 Missions flying A-1s
Callsign Firefly, Japan made

 

Patch made in Japan, heavy scrapbook residue, UnUsed......inquire
- - - -
 9553 - Detachment 2, 602nd Air Commando Squadron

Project Tropic Moon I Pilot's Night Flying Suits

Project Tropic Moon used the 22nd SOS' "ZORRO" callsign as a cover for it's HCM Trail missions

patches NFS - Display Purposes ONLY!
suits are darker than the picfile depicts

9553C - overdyed black K-2B, minor wear, Used.....inquire
chest = 39"
inseam = 29"

9553D - chest = 39+, inseam = 29, minor wear, DET-2, 602nd ACS Pilot’s overdyed Black K-2B, Used.....inquire
- - - -
602nd Special Operations Squadron

Flew A-1s out of Vietnam and Thailand


602nd SP OPs SQ, Thai made, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed......(sold)

Callsign "FIREFLY", made in Thailand, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed....inquire

- - - -
partial History
Constituted 2nd Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron April 11, 1944; Activated April 20, 1944; Redesignated 2nd FS(Commando) June 2, 1944; Inactivated Nov 12, 1945. Disbanded October 8, 1948;
Reconstituted/Redesignated/ReActivated 602nd FS(CMDO) April 15, 1963; Organized May 1, 1963
Redesignated 602nd SOS August 1, 1968; Inactivated December 31, 1970.
Assigned
1st Air Commando Group May 1, 1963; PACAF October 1, 1964; 34th TAC Gp October 18, 1964; 6251st TFW July 8, 1965; 3rd TFW November 21, 1965;  14th ACW March 8, 1966; 56th ACW (later SOW) April 8, 1967 - December 31, 1970
Aircraft
A-1E, G, H, & Js = circa 1964 - 1970
Stationed
Eglin AFB (Auxilary Airfield 9), FL May 1, 1963; Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam October 12, 1964; Nha Trang AB, Vietnam February 1, 1966; Udorn AB, Thailand December 15, 1966; Nakhon Phanom AB, Thailand June 30, 1970
Callsigns
"FIREFLY" used for FAC & Strike missions
"Sandy" was used for Rescue missions
DET-2 (Tropic Moon I) used the 22nd SOS' "ZORRO" callsign as a cover for it's HCM Trail missions
Mission
Flying: FAC, Ho Chi Minh Trail Night Interdiction, SAR, and Strike Missions in SEA
602nd Squadron

I removed this patch from a K-2B Flight Suit

Unknown if this is a 602nd SOS, my research does not show C-123s in the 602nd SOS inventory; however, research did not list NC-123Ks as being assigned to the 16th SOS either, which proved  to be wrong.....i.e., Project "Black Spot"

Information from a Collector
"I have the idea that the 602 Squadron patch..........is a Royal Thai Air Force(RTAF) as they had a 602 Squadron flying the C-123s"
( I have changed/added to his statement - I have never found a 602nd RTAF unit listed on the web - anyone else know of this unit? )

 

"602 SQDN" "C-123K", Thai made, RFU K-2B, lost some Yellow thread above the plane from harness wear, Used....inquire
604th Air Commando Squadron

604th Special Operations Squadron

(later Redesignated the 8th SOS)
 


604th Special Operations Squadron (FTR), White Neck Bib, flew A-37s out of Bien Hoa.........(Sold)
- - - -
 

UnUsed.....(sold)
- - - -
604th ACS - "Combat Dragon"

   

604th ACS, unknow when this one was constructed - looks 1980s - 1990s(?), UnUsed.....(sold)
- - - -
partial History
On 23 August 1966, the USAF directed the establishment of a program to evaluate the A-37 in a combat environment. The project was named "Combat Dragon" and was designed to test the effectiveness of the A-37 in Close Air Support, Counterinsurgency, and Escort missions in Vietnam. The Tactical Fighter Weapons Center directed the program and established a 350-man squadron with 25 A-37A's at England AFB, Louisiana in early-1967
The unit was designated as the 604th ACS; Initial instructor pilot training began March 29 1967
Initial Operations and Combat orientation started on May 1 1967
Phase I "Combat Dragon" was done between June 19 to July 16 1967 at England AFB
The 604th ACS Relocated to Bien Hoa AB, RVN between July 17 - August 14 1967
Phase II "Combat Dragon" began August 15 to September 6 1967
Phase III "Combat Dragon" started September 7 until  October 27 1967; Combat Ground Strike Missions were flown
 Phase IV "Combat Dragon" was conducted between October 28th - 30th 1967
Phase V began on November 1 1967 and tested the ability of the aircraft to operate from a forward operating location
7 x aircraft were deployed to Pleiku AB and flew combat missions until December 2 1967
The remaining 18 x aircraft remained at Bien Hoa AB and flew normal (Phase III) combat strike missions
The 604th ACS flew about 5,000 training and combat sorties during the five phases of the "Combat Dragon" project
During Phase V, three new missions were flown: Forward Air Control (FAC), Armed Reconnaissance and Night interdiction
In addition to missions in South Vietnam, Phase V missions were flown in Southeast Laos in the Tigerhound areas
The operational test phases of "Combat Dragon" project were concluded in early December 1967
Production of the A-37B proceeded, based in part on the recommendations of the "Combat Dragon" team
- - - -
Another version of the 604th's History
On 15 November 1967 the 604th Air Commando Squadron began flying the A-37A/B "Dragonfly" (Tail Code CK) from Bien Hoa, RVN.  The squadron was tasked to test the A-37 in combat over three months. The squadron flew combat sorties in support of ground troops and against enemy supplies being shipped into South Vietnam.
The test proved to be a huge success. The pilots were pleased with the planes' maneuverability. It accelerated and decelerated rapidly and its combat delivery system was highly accurate. The maintainers also heaped their praise on the aircraft. It was easy to fix. Turn around times often averaged just over 90 minutes between missions. Although the Air Force sought to purchase more A-37s than originally planned, the plane was subsonic and didn't fit into Tactical Air Command's long-range plans to develop an attack aircraft capable of meeting contingencies throughout potential world combat theaters. This wasn't the first time special operators were flying "low and slow", so to speak.
On 15 November 1969 the A-37s of the 604th were joined by the 8th Attack Squadron (Tail Code: CF), the 310th Attack Squadron and the 311th Attack Squadron. The 310th and 311th AS were later deployed to other bases in Vietnam as part of the 315th Special Operations Wing. The 604th ACS was later renamed the 604th Special Operations Squadron. The 604th was redesignated as the 8th Special Operations Squadron on 30 September 1970 and continued operations at Bien Hoa AB as a detachment of the 377th Air Base Wing until 1 October 1972. During this time, the 8th SOS A-37B's were instrumental in helping blunt the NVA's armored thrust toward Saigon in the April 1972 Easter Offensive. 1st Lt. Michael Blassie, whose remains were interred in the Tomb Of The Unknowns at Arlington Cemetery until identification in 1998, was shot down 11 May 1972 while flying with the 8th SOS. The unit was officially relocated to Clark AB in the Philippines on 1 October 1972 and turned over its aircraft and other assets to the Republic of (South) Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF).
- - - -
Another version of the 604th's History
The 604th SOS closed the doors on its operations at Bien Hoa on 30 Sep 1970. Simultaneously on 30 Sept 70, the 8th Attack Squadron was redesignated as the 8th Special Operations Squadron and transferred to the 35th TFW -- as the 3rd TFW was being inactivated. The 8th assumed the tail code "EK" on 30 Sep 70.
In effect, the 604th ACS became the 8th SOS. The official 8th SOS call sign "Dog" never caught on and the pilots continued to use the "Rap" call sign. The "Rap" was already a recognized call sign for A-37 strike aircraft -- and, as many of the men came from the 604th, there would be a natural reluctance to change their old call sign. The 8th SOS assumed not only the men and equipment from the 604th SOS, but it also assumed its nickname, the "RAPS."
(see more on this site: http://8thattacksqdnassoc.tripod dot com/Vietnama.html#Special)
605th Air Commando Squadron
 
"CUALQUIER HORA  CUALQUIE LUGAR"
Any Time, Any Place

 

605th ACS, UnUsed.....inquire
- - - -
partial History
active from 1964 - 1967; ReDesignated 605th SOS
assigned to 24th ACW (SOW) at Howard AFB, Canal Zone, Panama
Flew C-46s, B-26As, & etc.  

( see  24th SOW  insignia )
606th Air Commando Squadron
- - - -
USO Worker's Tour Shirt with 606th ACS patch

7926DK - USO Workers Badged Jacket

 

( see details on RVN to 1975 Army Patch page, near top )
- - - -
Thailand made

 

606th ACS, Thai word on reverse, UnUsed.....(sold)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
606th ACS made in Thailand Grouping

All items from one Pilot's Grouping


606th ACS, UnUsed........inquire

RFU, Used......inquire


Pilot's Rank and Hand-embroidered Name Tape


Issue LTC Rank and hand-embroidered Local-made NAME Tape, UnUsed.........inquire

REPUBLIC F-105 Thunderchief Arrowhead sewn to leather backing

I have only seen this Cloth patch on Leather combo on Party Suits from Thailand


RFU, Used......inquire

( also on the Aircraft page )
- - - -
"Truck Killer"

 

606th SOS, "TRUCK KILLER  C-123  FAC  CANDLESTICK" Thai made 4 7/8" patch, glue residue on back, unit flew C-123K Providers out of NKP, Thailand with many of their missions in Laos, operated under the 56th SOW, excellent patch in UnUsed Condition.......inquire

606th SOS Thailand made patch....(sold)
- - - -
"Truck Killer"

Fully Embroidered

 

606th Special Operations Squadron, Thailand made, RFU, Used....(sold)
- - - -
"500 Hours - NIGHT COMBAT"

( UnCommon Patch )

 

606th SOS "C-123 FAC ON THE TRAIL", Thailand made, RFU, Used......inquire  
- - - -
see DET-1, 56th SOW page for patch and History

Det-1, 56th SOW was formerly Designated DET-1, 606th ACS

Water Pump  "EVERY MAN A TIGER" Insignia


( listed with 56th SOW )
- - - -
partial History
Originally Designated 606th Air Commando Squadron; ReDesignated 606th Special Operations Squadron August 1 1968
Assigned to 56th ACW (later SOW) April 8 1967 – June 15 1971
Stationed at Nakhon Phanom (NKP) RTAFB, Thailand
DET-1, 606th ACS (Water Pump Mission training RLAF personnel in T-28 operations) was located at Udorn
probable aircraft flown 1967 - 69
A-26 Douglas Invaders
C-123 Flare ships callsign "Candlestick"
T-28 Trojans
U-10 Helio Courier callsign" Loudmouth" or "Litterbugs"
Mission
Assist in suppressing the Lao Communists (Pather Lao)
Douglas A-26A Invader Squadron

(609th Special Operations Squadron flew out of Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Royal Thailand Air Force Base)

 

609th SP OPS SQ Callsign "NIMROD", 4" Thailand made, under the 56th SOW, UnUsed.(sold)
- - - -
partial History
Redesignated 609th SOS August 1 1968
assigned to 56th ACW (later SOW) September 15 1967 – December 1 1969
Stationed at Nakhon Phanom (NKP) RTAFB, Thailand
711th Special Operations Squadron (AFRC)

"AFTER FIVE AND WEEKENDS"

Currently assigned to the 919th SOW flying MC-130E Combat Talon I Gunships

 

711th SOS, UnUsed....inquire

( see a Gaggle patch for the 919th below )
- - - -
partial History
Stations
Ephrata Army Air Base, Washington, 1 May 1943
Rapid City Army Air Base, South Dakota, 13 June 1943
Harvard Army Airfield, Nebraska, 1 August-11 November 1943
RAF Rattlesden (AAF-126), England, 1 December 1943-c. 1 August 1945
 Drew Field, Florida, 14 August-7 November 1945
Long Beach Army Air Field, California, 27 June 1949-21 March 1951
Hensley Field, Texas, 18 May 1955-16 November 1957
Eglin AF Aux Field #3 (Duke Field), Florida, 30 June 1971–present
 Aircraft
B-17 Flying Fortress, 1943–1945
B-29 Superfortress, 1949–1951
AT-7 Navigator (1949–1951)
AT-11 Kansan (1949–1951)
F-86 Sabre, 1955
C-130 Hercules (1971 - )
AC-130 (1975–1995)
MC-130E Combat Talon I (1995–present)
919th Special Operations Wing (AFRC)

The 919th Special Operations Wing is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) wing of the USAF stationd at Eglin AFB, Florida
Wing provides Special Operations Aircraft for Covert Operations

Flew Missions in:
Operation Just Cause
Operation Desert Shield
Operation Desert Storm
Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation Iraqi Freedom
- - - -
919th SOW Gaggle Patch with the 71st and 711th SOS emblems

71st SOS "ANYWHERE ANYTIME"
711th SOS  "AFTER FIVE AND WEEKENDS"

This patch is not listed on the USAFPatches.com site = probably an UnCommon Wartime insignia
Short History for the 919th SOW activities while these two squadrons served together in the Wing, circa April 1, 1990 to October 1, 1993
On April 1, 1990 the 919th gained a 2nd SOS (the 71st) stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona. Both squadrons participated in the conflict in SWA. The 71st SOS flying HH-3Es deployed January 12,1991 to March 16, 1991 and the 711th SOS flying AC-130As deployed February 7 to March 12,1991. The 919 SOW lost the 71st October 1, 1993.

 

Gaggle Patch circa 1990-1993, the thread colors for the "robed" person and his wings have two shades (light-tan and white), it was made like this and is not a stain, UnUsed.....inquire
- - - -
partial History
919th Troop Carrier Group 1963-1971
919th Tactical Airlift Group 1971-1975
919th Special Operations Group 1975-1992
919th Special Operations Wing 1992 -
Stations
Memphis Municipal Airport, Tennessee 1963-1965
Duke Field, Florida 1971 -
Units
2nd SOS at Nellis AFB, NV
5th SOS at Eglin AFB, FL
71st SOS at Davis-Monathan AFB, AZ 1990 - 93
711th SOS
Aircraft
C-123 Provider (1963-1965)
C-130 Hercules (1971 - Present)
AC-130A Spectre (1975-1995)
HH-3 (1990-1993)
MC-130E Combat Talon I (1995 - Present)
MC-130P Combat Shadow (1995-2008)
U-28 (2008 - Present)
MQ-1 Predator (2008 - Present)
Gist of Operational Activities
The 919th trained for troop carrier duties from 1963-1965. Renamed the 919th Tactical Airlift Group (919 TAG) and equipped with the C-130A, it performed airlift of personnel and cargo, in addition to airdropping U.S. Army paratroopers during exercises from 1971-1974. In late 1974, the group began transitioning to the AC-130A Spectre aircraft and training for gunship operations, with close air support as a primary duty, but included ability to perform armed interdiction, reconnaissance, and escort, forward air control and combat search and rescue in conventional or unconventional warfare setting. Redesignated the 919th Special Operations Group (919 SOG), the command was later upgraded to wing status and renamed the 919th Special Operations Wing (919 SOW). In addition to its primary combat duties, the 919th also provided range clearing support for missile launches at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and along the Eastern Test Range from 1979-1989 and for NASA space shuttle launches at the John F. Kennedy Space Center from 1981-1988.
The 711th Special Operations Squadron (SOS) hit key facilities and provided cover for U.S. Army troops during the invasion of Panama, December 1989 - January 1990. On 1 April 1990 the 919th gained a second SOS (71 SOS) located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona. Both squadrons participated in the conflict in Southwest Asia: the 71 SOS, flying HH-3Es deployed 12 January 1991 - 16 March 1991 and the 711 SOS, flying AC-130As, deployed 7 February-12 March. In addition, the 711 SOS used their AC-130s to fly cargo and passengers. The 919 SOW lost the 71 SOS on 1 October 1993, but in late 1994, gained the 5th Special Operations Squadron (5 SOS).

The 5 SOS began to receive their MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft in April 1995 and trained for special operations, aerial refueling of special operations helicopters, and resupply missions. The 711 SOS transitioned from AC-130A gunships to MC-130E Combat Talon I aircraft beginning in October 1995 and trained for a primary mission of infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of special operations forces. Periodically the wing deployed personnel and aircraft to support special operations forces in contingency operations worldwide, in addition to numerous humanitarian deployments. The 919th has conducted flight training in MC-130E Combat Talon I for both Air Force Special Operations Command and Air Force Reserve Command since 1 October 1997.
Flew Missions in SEA for the CIA

    "1045 DE & T GP" should read 1045 OE & T GP

1045th Operation, Evaluation and Training Group Detachment 2 Headquarters Command, 3.5" Japan(Okinawa) made, Flew Missions into China for the CIA, UnUsed......inquire

1045th Operation, Evaluation and Training Group Detachment Two Headquarters Command, Thailand made, flew missions for the CIA, UnUsed......inquire


( check this link for Insignia  http://www.american-buddha dot com/secretwar21.jpg )

( link for info on 2/1045th  http://www.silent-warriors dot com/vfw_cold_war_in_asia.htm )
Detachment 19, 1191st Special Activities Squadron (?)
 
(Not positive of the ID; there is very little listed about this unit)

( maybe a Detachment of the 4th ACS ? - They had a patch similar to this design )

 

"USMACTHAI/TLD" AC-47 Gunship, 4" Thai made, possibly did training of Aircrews so the AC-47 Aircraft could be turned-over to the Cambodian, Thailand, or Lao governments(?), Det 19 was located at Udorn RTAFB, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed......inquire
- - - -
partial History
"USMACTHAI/TLD" ran the T-28 Program (callsigns: Trojan & Nomad) for Cambodia;
why this is an AC-47 aircraft is a mystery but it could have been a side-line for this Unit

anyone know a different ID for this patch?
 1198th Operation, Evaluation and Training Squadron

"Spook" unit that flew Black painted C-130E(I)s in Southeast Asia circa 1965 - 1972 and were part of Projects Thin Slice and Heavy Chain
Demobilized in 1972 and most of the assets were turned-over to the Combat Talon Program

12 men from this Squadron are listed as participants in the Son Tay Prison Raid, see Benjamin F. Schmmer's book "The Raid", Appendix II, pages 257-58

My opinion of the 1198th OE&T Sq's mission, Team insertion and resupply
Extraction of these Teams, with the Fulton System, was the domain of Det-1, 314th TCW(PACAF)

  

1198th OE&T Sq insignia, neatly removed from uniform(RFU), scrapbook residue on reverse, Used.....inquire
- - - -
following is a short article on the Unit - The word "TEST" in the designator should read Training

- - - -
This partial History  is from Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Baird (Retired) - Operations Officer of the 1198th OE&T Sq circa 1965  to 1969
( I have edited his emails - so any mistakes will be mine )
In 1965 General Curtis E. LeMay wanted a special unit of Airmen whose wives had security clearances to avoid exposing sensitive missions in case their spouses were lost on a mission.  This requirement lead to the forming of the 1198th OE&T SQ Commanded by Lt Colonel Bob Marks to be stationed at Norton AFB, CA  with two Classified C-130s, four crews, plus support personnel.  Lockheed Aircraft Services(LAS) of Ontario, CA also provided support.
 Colonel Marks also designed the patch shown above.  The insignia design was based on a symbol of quality used by Chinese book publishers.
The two horizontal lines represented the two aircraft and the "4" represented the four aircrews; later more aircraft and crews were added.
A Headquarters Weenie later saw the emblem and asked about it; as it had not had AF approval the 1198th was ordered to discontinue it's use and to use the HQS insignia.
Thanks to Colonel Baird for this information!
- - - -
  Tail Numbers of 1198th's C-130E(I) aircraft:
65-0506  (construction Number 3990)
65-0507  (construction Number 3991) reassigned Tail Number 63-7785
( more Tail Numbers later(?) )
Aircraft were Electronic/ELINT modified and the "(I)" designation was added to the basic C-130E designator under the Rivet Yard Program.
Thanks to Mark Sublette for Tail Numbers and additional information
 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron

codename "Jungle Jim"
- - - -

"SWEENIE'S WEENIES"

apparently a play-on the last-name of General Sweeney, Commanding General of TAC

 

hand-embroidered in Vietnam, circa 1961 - 1962, UnUsed....(sold)

( a Veteran from the early RVN era associates this patch with the "Farm Gate" Detachment in Vietnam;
the Commanding General of TAC was named "SWEENEY" )

partial History
In April 1961 Gen Curtis Lemay directed TAC to organize and equip a unit to:
train USAF personnel in WWII–type aircraft and equipment
ready WWII Era aircraft for transfer, as required, to friendly governments
provide to foreign air force personnel in the operation and maintenance of these planes
develop/improve: weapons, tactics, and techniques
TAC activated the 4400th CCTS ("Jungle Jim") at Hurlburt Field, Florida on April 14, 1961; assigned to 9th AF
On May 1, 1961 Colonel Benjamin H. King assumed command; aircraft  included: C-47s, B-26s, and T-28s
In August 1961, DET-1 deployed to Mali (West Africa) (covername "Sandy Beach")   
In November 1961, DET-2 (covername "Farm Gate") deployed  to Bien Hoa AB, South Vietnam
and was placed under the command of the 2d Air Division
By December 1961, DET-2 aircraft were authorized to engage the VC if at least one crew member was VNAF
In November 1961, General Walter C. Sweeney, Jr. had been appointed TAC Commander
March 20, 1962, the 4400th CCTS was Redesignated the 4400th Combat Crew Training Group
In June 1963, the 4400th Combat Crew Training Group was Redesignated 1st Air Commando Wing

( also on UI/mystery page, UI #123 )
4400th Special Operations Squadron(Provisional), Credible Chase

AU-23A Fairchild-Hiller Peacemaker mini-Gunship

Project Credible Chase partial History
In May 1971 the Aeronautical Systems Division at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio began work on a project to evaluate the use of armed light STOL aircraft for the VNAF.
Two commercial aircraft were selected for testing: the AU-23A Fairchild-Hiller Peacemaker (Pilatus Porter)  and the AU-24A Helio H-550 Stallion.
The 4400th Special Operations Squadron (Provisional) was created to run the Operational Test and Evaluation of the Credible Chase aircraft.
The first AU-23A was delivered to the 4400th SOS on January 2, 1972 and the last AU-23A (72-1318) on June 7, 1972. Testing showed the AU-23A was not acceptable as a mini-gunship without a major upgrade.  On June 30, 1972, the 4400th SOS ferried the AU-23As to Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona for storage. The AU-23As were eventually supplied to Thailand under the Military Assistance Program for use in border surveillance and counter-infiltration roles.
The AU-24A (Helio H-550 Stallion) was purchased for the Credible Chase Program and it was also found to be unsuitable for combat operations. Of the 17 Stallion aircraft purchased most were sold to the Cambodian (Khmer) Air Force.


4400th SOS(P) "CREDIBLE CHASE" Program patch made in Thailand, UnUsed.....inquire

'HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL CAN DO EASY', made in Thailand, Unused.....inquire

4650th Combat Support Squadron (ADC)

Flew: C-118, C-119, & C-123 aircraft

 

4650th CSS, scrapbook residue on back, Used........inquire

(I listed this unit in the SOS section due to their "stepping-stone" fast-track to ACS/SOS units in SEA.  
Many experienced personnel flying: C-118As, C-119s, and C-123s went to Vietnam/Thailand
with ACS & SOS Units as it was a training unit for flying Gunships in SEA.)

(Flew from: Richards Gebaur AFB, MO; Stewart AFB, NY;  Hamilton AFB, CA; & other bases(?);
I researched the unit back to 1959; DeActivated in 1972)

Unit Comanders:
Colonel Edwin P. Leonard (1968-71)
( If you have other/different info let me know  Jack@LJMilitaria.com )
  Ground Group collecting HUMINT
(had aviation support for some of it's activites)
 
 

Detachment 6, 6499th Special Activities Group, 4" Vietnamese Hand-embroidered (HE), HUMINT (Human Intelligence) DET working in Saigon, under the "thin-cover" of "Unilateral Collection Branch", HQS was at Hickam Field, Hawaii, the unit's activities was partially explained a few years ago in the ASMIC "Trading Post";  this Unit associated with most of the INTEL Units in SEA: ASA, AFSS, CAS, NSG, DODSPECREPs (DIRNSA's boys), Air America, Embassies, and etc. in SEA; also I have found on the Internet that this Unit (or a direct support Unit) lost a Chopper in Laos (not your normal HUMINT Activities(?)), UnUsed.......inquire
 
SEA Era - Miscellaneous

SOS Highway Patrol


Laotian Highway Patrol, 3 5/8" Thai Hand Embroidered, UnUsed.........inquire

Cambodian Highway Patrol, 3 5/8" Thai Hand Embroidered, UnUsed.........(sold)

Ho Chi Minh (Trail) Highway Patrol, 3 5/8" Thai Hand Embroidered, UnUsed.........inquire

( patches found with a SOS/ACS Grouping )

 
Laotian Truck Roundup

patches found with an SOS/ACS Grouping


"Participant  Laotian Truck Roundup on the Trail", Thai made, UnUsed........Inquire

variant "Participant  Laotian "Truok" Roundup on the Trail", Thai made, UnUsed........inquire

AC-47 Spooky The Non-Stop Fighter

 

I think the "eyes" are meant to mean "C" = AC-47, Thai made, UnUsed.....inquire
( still has the maker's pencil line under the "SPOOKY" )

Miscellaneous

Veterans Patch

 

High-quality 4" Korean made insignia, possbily sold at re-unions(?), Unused......inquire
HQ MAC SPECIAL OPS

 

Headquarters Military Airlift Command Special Operations, pre-1992 insignia, 3.5", UnUsed......inquire

(see above for more Airlift Special Operations insignia)
AC-130 SPECTRE GunShips

 

AC-130H TEST TEAM SOFI, UnUsed.......(sold)
 (SOFI = Special Operations Force Improvements, Lockheed Ontario (California) in the early 1990s)

MC-130H Combat Talon II Test Team, UnUsed.......inquire
(pre-June 1991 insignia, probably late-1980s)


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20th & Up Special Operations, Air Commando & Special Activities Units




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For Ordering information contact:   Jack@LJMilitaria.com

Viewers disregard this section:
3509CA - 71st SOS AC-119 Plaque
3509CA - 71st Special Operations Squadron Wooden Plaque, Used...
56th SOW Insignia made in Nakhon Phanom
56th Combar Support Group, Thai made, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed....(sold)
Participant Southeast Asia War Games, 4.75" Thai made, scrapbook residue on back, UnUsed.....(sold)
( see 56th Security Police Squadron patches on this   )
609th Air Commando Squadron
flew Douglas A-26A Invaders
(flew out of Nakhon Phanom (NKP) Royal Thailand Air Force Base)
     
609th ACS "A 26"  "Fly by Knights", 4.5" Thai made, RFU, Used...(sold)
(probably pre-summer of 1968 era)
circa 1967-68 "C-123-K-FAC"
callsign  Candlestick
 
606th Special Operations Squadron FAC (& Flare missions), 4 1/8" Thai made, UnUsed....(sold)
some History of the 606th SOS from a Veteran - circa 1967-68
This style patch was worn by UC-123K crews assigned to the 606th ACS of the 56th ACW, NKP
They flew Night FAC/Flare Missions over the "Barrel Roll" and "Steel Tiger" areas of Laos and North Vietnam
see  311th Troop Carrier Squadron  for the predecessor Patch of the 311th Air Commando Squadron
see the  311th Air Commando Squadron Beercan  (#3378A
"Easy" Flight, 21st TAS
Flew Special Operations Missions in SEA, circa 1960s - 1975
56th SOW - "The Dog" drinking to anything!!
 
Very-Large 56th SOW "I'LL DRINK TO THAT!  (I'LL DRINK TO ANYTHING!!)", Thai made Novelty Patch, removed from Sawaddee Suit, Used.......(sold)
("The Dog" drinking a mixed drink in front of a Beer Keg?)
1550th Aircrew Training & Test Wing
 became part of the 58th SOW Training Mission Heritage
click on picture for details
20th SOS made by Maharajah Tailors of Udorn
 
Thai made, Used.....(sold)
ecial Operations Patch Collection
Modern Patches
MH-60G Pave Hawk, UnUsed.....(sold)
MC-130E Lucky 7 Combat Talon 1, UnUsed.....(sold)
C-141 Special Operations Communications "VOCES" IN TO THE DARK, 3 7/8", has a Stinger (AC-119K), UnUsed....(sold)
("NIGHT RIDERS 436 AW"  (moved up on this page under "436th AW")
Modern
"Spectre AC-130H Gunship", Korean made, UnUsed.....(ALL Sold)
"Spectre "NO PROBLEM", Korean made, UnUsed......
Spectre Gunship patches
Modern Patches
Spectre Patience My Ass  I'm Gonna Kill Something, UnUsed.......(ALL Sold)
AC-130 Spectre Patience, My Ass  I'm Gonna Kill Something, 3.5" ME, UnUsed......
Spectre Trail Blazer, 4" ME, UnUsed.......
AC-130U Gunship
Modern Patches
Gray AC-130 Spectre Gunship, 4.5" wide ME, UnUsed......(ALL Sold)
Sprectre AC-130 Gunship, UnUsed......
AC-130U Gunship
Modern Patches
AC-130U Spectre Gunship, UnUsed.......(ALL Sold)
71st Special Operations Squadron
71st SOS, UnUsed.......(sold)

   
17th SOS, AC-119G Grouping
Grouping has sold
4 1/8, 302nd SOS "ANYWHERE  ANYTIME", pre-1987, UnUsed.....inquire
 Fairchild AU-23A Gunship
Project Credible Chase modified 17 x Pilatus Turbo-Porter PC-6s for use by small nations
Fifteen were sold to Thailand for counter-insurgency missions
 
Pilatus Porter "PEACEMAKER HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL CAN DO EASY", Thai made, for the PC-6 (AU-23A) program, These were the Turbo-Prop planes similar to the ones Air America flew but these had Guns, UnUsed...(moved to the 4400th SOS(P) section)
Project Credible Chase also modified 17 x Helio Stallions and 15 went to the Khmer Air Force
( see above for 1191st SP Activity SQ which may be related to this PC-6 unit )
129th Air Commando Group (SP OPS GP)
( extremely nice Bullion insignia )
129th Air Commando (Special Operations) GP, scrapbook residue on back, Used..(sold)
( ID'd in Mr. Polder's Book 2, page 225 as the 129th SOS )
( Both patches from the same Veteran's Estate )
129th Special Operations (Air Commando) GP, Bullion thread, extremely-thick bullion (almost a 3-D patch), Looks something like a British made black-backing patch, New-in-Plastic Bag.....moved
     
582nd ARS, early to mid-1950s era, UnUsed......(sold)
582nd ARS, early to mid-1950s era, been in 2 x scrapbooks with residue on back, UnUsed Condition......(sold)
( also on squadrons page )