The United States Air Force's 318th Operations Support Squadron is an operations support squadron located at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.
| 318th Operations Support Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1942–1944; 2011-present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Type | Information operations support |
| Part of | Air Force Space Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Lackland Air Force Base, Texas |
| Nickname(s) | Nighthawks |
| Motto(s) | "Swoop, Strike, Kill." |
| Colors | Blue, Black, White |
| Mascot(s) | Knighthawk |
| Insignia | |
| 318th Operations Support Squadron emblem |  |
Mission edit
The mission of the 318th Squadron is to "Deliver relevant, validated, tactics, intelligence, and synchronized capabilities to cyberspace warfighters while providing mission support throughout the 688th Cyberspace Wing."[clarification needed]
History edit
The squadron was first activated at Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina on 1 May 1943 as the 318th Airdrome Squadron.[1] The squadron provided support to the 309th Bombardment Group, a Replacement Training Unit that trained replacement aircrews using B-25 Mitchell aircraft.[2] However, the AAF was finding that standard military units, based on relatively inflexible tables of organization were proving less well adapted to performing the training and support missions. Accordingly, a more functional system was adopted in which each base was organized into a separate numbered unit.[3] As a result, in 1944, the squadron was disbanded and merged into the 329th Army Air Force Base Unit (Replacement Training Unit, Medium, Bombardment).[4]
The squadron was reactivated in 2011, replacing the 23d Information Operations Squadron as the support organization for the 318th Information Operations Group.[5]
Lineage edit
- Constituted as the 318th Airdrome Squadron (Special) c. 13 April 1943
- Activated on 1 May 1943[1]
- Disbanded on 1 May 1944[5]
- Reconstituted on 10 November 2011 and redesignated 318th Operations Support Squadron[5]
- Activated on 7 December 2011[5]
Assignments edit
- Probably Third Air Force, 1 May 1943 – 1 May 1944
- 318th Information Operations Group (later 318th Cyberspace Operations Group), 7 December 2011 – present[5][6]
Stations edit
- Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina, 1 May 1943 – 1 May 1944[1]
- Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, 7 December 2011 – present[5]
Campaigns edit
| Campaign Streamer | Campaign | Dates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
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American Theater without inscription | 1 May 1943 – 1 May 1944 | 318th Airdrome Squadron[7] |
See also edit
References edit
Notes edit
- ^ a b c "Abstract, History 318 Airdrome Squadron May-Sep 1943". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ Maurer, p. 184
- ^ Goss, p. 75
- ^ "Abstract, History of Columbia AAB Apr-Jun 1944". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f Research Division, Air Force Historical Research Agency, Air Force Organization Change Status Report, December 2011, Maxwell AFB, AL
- ^ "Factsheet 688th Cyberspace Wing". 688th Cyberspace Wing Commander's Action Group. 17 December 2013. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
- ^ Awarded for one year service in the Continental United States
Bibliography edit
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Goss, William A (1955). "The Organization and its Responsibilities, Chapter 2 The AAF". In Craven, Wesley F; Cate, James L (eds.). The Army Air Forces in World War II. Vol. VI, Men & Planes. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press. LCCN 48003657. OCLC 704158.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
External links edit
- Boehnert, 1 Lt Joshua (8 June 2012). "318th OSS hosts Spouses' Fitness Challenge". 688th Cyberspace Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
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