5th Air Support Operations Squadron

The United States Air Force's 5th Air Support Operations Squadron is a combat support squadron located at Fort Lewis, Washington. The unit provides tactical command and control of airpower assets to the Joint Forces Air Component Commander and Joint Forces Land Component Commander for combat operations.

5th Air Support Operations Squadron
A squadron joint tactical air controller provides security during a training exercise at Fort Irwin.
Active1942–1945; 1994–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAir Support Operations
SizeSquadron
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQFort Lewis
EngagementsSouthwest Pacific Theater
Iraq War[1]
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Insignia
5th Air Support Operations Squadron emblem (approved 28 October 1996)[1]

History

World War II

The squadron was first activated in May 1942 as the 5th Communications Squadron. After training in the United States, it moved to Australia in May 1943, where it became an element of Fifth Air Force as the 5th Air Support Communication Squadron. It participated in combat, earning arrowhead devices for participation in amphibious landings in New Guinea, the Bismark Archipelago, and Leyte. Its air support parties served with United States Marines and United States and Australian Army forces, directing air support missions for the forces they served. After V-J Day, the squadron was inactivated in the Philippines in November 1945.[1]

Reactivation

The squadron was reactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington in July 1994 as the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron. It has supported combat operations during the Global War on Terror since 2001.[1] The unit's Joint Terminal Attack Controllers are traditionally aligned with I Corps and the Joint Base Lewis-McChord based Stryker Brigades, but due to manning shortages and theater requirements, the unit's airmen have deployed with many different units during the past decade.[2]

Lineage
  • Constituted as the 5th Communications Squadron, Air Support on 15 May 1942
Activated on 22 May 1942
Redesignated 5th Air Support Communication Squadron on 11 January 1943
Redesignated 5th Air Support Control Squadron on 20 August 1943
Redesignated 5th Tactical Air Communications Squadron on 1 April 1944
Inactivated on 28 November 1945
Disbanded on 8 October 1948
  • Reconstituted and redesignated 5th Air Support Operations Squadron on 24 June 1994
Activated on 1 July 1994[1]

Assignments

Stations

References

Notes
  1. Dollman, TSG David (May 15, 2017). "Factsheet 5 Air Support Operations Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  2. Smith, Lorin (June 16, 2011). "Support squadron highly skilled radiomen". I Corps Public Affairs. Retrieved August 9, 2018.

Bibliography

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


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