27th Special Operations Group
| 27th Special Operations Group | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Active | 1939–1945;1948–1952;1991–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Special Operations |
| Garrison/HQ | Cannon Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Blaze |
The 27th Special Operations Group (27 SOG) is the flying component of the 27th Special Operations Wing, assigned to the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). The group is stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico.
During World War II, its predecessor unit, the 27th Bombardment (later Fighter) Group fought in the Pacific Ocean and Mediterranean, Middle East and African theatres. Its ground personnel fought as infantry in the 1941–1942 Battle of Bataan with the survivors being forced to march as prisoners in the Bataan Death March. Its air echelon went on to be awarded five Distinguished Unit Citations and a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation. The Airmen of the 27th were among the most decorated USAAF units of the war.
The 27th Special Operations Group accomplishes global special operations taskings as an Air Force component member of the United States Special Operations Command. It conducts infiltration/exfiltration, combat support, helicopter and tilt-rotor aerial refueling, psychological warfare, and other special missions. It directs the deployment, employment, training, and planning for four squadrons that operate the MC-130W Combat Spear, MQ-1B Predator, U-28A aircraft, and provide operational support to flying operations.
There are several squadrons within the group.
On 1 February 1940, the United States Army Air Corps activated the 27th Bombardment Group (Light) at Barksdale Field (AAF), Louisiana and equipped it with the Douglas B-18 Bolo Light bomber aircraft. The group consisted of the 15th, 16th and 17th Bombardment Squadrons. In October of that year the group moved to Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, less the 15th Bombardment Squadron, which was reassigned to V Air Support Command on 14 October. On 21 October the group was ordered to the Philippine Islands in response to the growing crisis in the Pacific.
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