73d Special Operations Squadron
| 73d Special Operations Squadron | |
|---|---|
73d Special Operations Squadron AC-130W Hercules
|
|
| Active | 1918–present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Type | Squadron |
| Part of | 27th Special Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Cannon Air Force Base |
| Engagements |
.png){kind=small} World War II Aleutian Campaign |
| Decorations |
 Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Insignia | |
| Emblem of the 73d Special Operations Squadron |  |
The 73d Special Operations Squadron (73 SOS) is a unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to the 27th Special Operations Group at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The squadron operates AC-130W Stinger II ground-attack aircraft in support of Air Force Special Operations Command.
The 73d SOS is one of the oldest in the Air Force, its origins dating to the formation of the 73d Aero Squadron in February 1918. It served on the Western Front in France during World War I, and took part in the Aleutian Campaign during World War II. It was part of Strategic Air Command during the Cold War.
The 73d SOS dates to the formation of the 73d Aero Squadron at Rich Field, Waco, Texas on 22 February 1918. The first personnel were 150 privates under the command of 1st Lieutenant Loren W. De Motte, which arrived at the Aviation Camp. Once organized into a unit, the 73d was transferred to Call Field, Wichita Falls, Texas, where it underwent basic indoctrination training. The men were also trained in aviation mechanic work.
On 8 July, orders were received for the unit to proceed to the Aviation Concentration Center, Garden City, Long Island, for preparation to serve overseas. An observation balloon detachment of 30 men was assigned to the squadron at Garden City, and the unit moved to the Port of Embarkation at Hoboken, New Jersey on 29 July where it boarded a ship bound for France. After an uneventful crossing of the Atlantic, it arrived at the port of Brest, France on 26 August. At Brest, the balloon detachment was detached from the squadron, and the squadron was ordered to proceed to the St. Maixent Replacement Barracks for assignment. Initially assigned as a support unit to the 1st Day Bombardment Group at Delouze Aerodrome on 12 September, the squadron maintained Dayton-Wright DH-4s of the group. On 4 October, it was ordered to Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome, where it was reassigned to the Second Army. At Colombey, the squadron operated the 6th Air Park; a maintenance and supply organization as part of the 1st Air Depot.
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