A new MC-130J Commando II taxis on the flightline at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., 29 September 2011
Active
1940–1945; 1946–2007; 2011–2014
Country
United States
Branch
United States Air Force
Role
special operations
Part of
Air Force Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQ
Cannon AFB, New Mexico
Nickname(s)
Fireballs
Motto(s)
Air Commando (2011–2014)
Engagements
Southwest Pacific Theater Mediterranean Theater of Operations Korean War Vietnam War[1]
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1]
Insignia
522nd Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 25 June 1951)[1]
522nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron emblem (World War II)[2]
Military unit
The 522nd Special Operations Squadron, nicknamed the Fireballs, was a unit of the United States Air Force. It was part of the 27th Special Operations Group, the flying component of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base. It was the first to operate the MC-130J Commando II.
The 522nd was originally organized in 1940 as the 16th Bombardment Squadron. When the United States entered World War II the squadron was deploying to the Philippines. Its ground echelon fought as infantry, with most members surrendering at Bataan, while the air echelon fought in the Netherlands East Indies, earning the squadron three Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC)s. In May 1942, the squadron reformed at Hunter Field, Georgia. It deployed to the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, where it was redesignated the 522nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron and was awarded an additional three DUCs. Following V-E Day, the squadron served in the occupation forces in Germany until the fall of 1945, when it returned to the United States and was inactivated.
The 522nd was reactivated in 1946 and assigned to Strategic Air Command (SAC) as a fighter escort unit. During the Korean War, the squadron deployed to Japan and Korea and was awarded its seventh DUC. In 1957, SAC transferred its fighter squadrons to Tactical Air Command and the squadron became the 522nd Tactical Fighter Squadron the following year. It conducted numerous deployments to bases in Europe and the Pacific, including one to Thailand, where it again saw combat during the Vietnam War. The squadron was inactivated in 2007, when its parent wing converted from the fighter to the special operations mission.
The squadron was reactivated in 2012 as a special operations unit, but was inactivated in 2014 and its mission, personnel and equipment were transferred to the 9th Special Operations Squadron.
^ abcDollman, TSG Davis (21 October 2016). "Factsheet 522 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 10 November 2018.
^Watkins, pp. 18–19
and 20 Related for: 522nd Special Operations Squadron information
The 522ndSpecialOperationsSquadron, nicknamed the Fireballs, was a unit of the United States Air Force. It was part of the 27th SpecialOperations Group...
The 9th SpecialOperationsSquadron is part of the 27th SpecialOperations Wing (27 SOW) at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The squadron operates MC-130J...
The 33rd SpecialOperationsSquadron is a United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 27th SpecialOperations Group at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico...
522nd or 522d may refer to: 522d SpecialOperationsSquadron (522 SOS), the Fireballs, a unit of the United States Air Force 522 (number) 522, the year...
Maintenance Squadron, 27th SpecialOperations Equipment Maintenance Squadron and the 27th SpecialOperations Maintenance OperationsSquadron. There is approximately...
reorganization of Army Air Forces training units. The 165th Liaison Squadron performed specialoperations in India and Burma from September 1944 until the end of...
Da Nang Air Base. In May 1965 the Douglas A-1 Skyraider equipped 522nd Fighter Squadron was activated at the base. As the headquarters for the RVNAF, Tan...
secret Operation Menu bombings. On 1 September 1969 with the inactivation of the 3rd SpecialOperationsSquadron, the 4th SpecialOperationsSquadron took...
States Marine Corps aircraft conducting most operations.: 314 In May 1965, the 522nd Fighter Squadron equipped with A-1s was activated at Tan Son Nhut...
December 1917. On 6 April 1918, 164th Siege Bty was joined by a section of 522nd Siege Bty, bringing it up to a strength of six 6-inch howitzers. 52nd HAG...
Fighter Squadron. In June 1967 the surviving aircraft were transferred to the RVNAF to form their first jet squadron, the 522nd Fighter Squadron. 4 October...
143 Squadron RAF. U-1065 was sunk in the neighboring Skaggerak by Mosquito aircraft of No. 143 and No. 235 Squadron RAF. Australia's Z Special Unit began...
and torpedo training. In March–June 1944, she served as a target for the 522nd and 762nd Naval Air Groups. During this time, she was fitted with a number...
Survey) 222nd Personnel Services Company (Type B) Team A Team B Team C Team D 522nd Medical Detachment Team AF (Veterinary Professional Services) 4th Medical...
Global Information
United States
United States Air Force
