23rd Special Tactics Squadron

The 23rd Special Tactics Squadron (23rd STS) is an active ground unit, within the 24th Special Operations Wing (24 SOW) United States Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC). It is garrisoned at Hurlburt Field, Florida. The 23rd STS was previously designated the 1723rd Special Tactics Squadron prior to 1992.

23rd Special Tactics Squadron
Airmen of 23rd STS during the Haiti earthquake relief at Toussaint L'Ouverture Airport
Country United States of America
Branch United States Air Force
TypeSpecial operations forces
RoleAir assault
Anti-tank warfare
Artillery observer
Bomb disposal
CBRN defense
Clandestine operation
Close-quarters combat
Combat search and rescue
Counterterrorism
Covert operation
Cyberwarfare
Direct action
Electromagnetic warfare
Executive protection
Force protection
Forward air control
Hostage rescue
HUMINT
Intelligence assessment
Irregular warfare
ISTAR
JTAC
Long-range penetration
Medical evacuation
Military intelligence
Parachuting
Raiding
Reconnaissance
SIGINT
Special operations
Special reconnaissance
Tactical communications
Tactical emergency medical services
Tracking
SizeSquadron
Part of U.S. Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Garrison/HQHurlburt Field, FL
Motto(s)We Who Dare
EngagementsWar in Afghanistan
Iraq War
Insignia
23rd Special Tactics Squadron emblem

Overview

The Squadron is made up of Special Tactics Officers, Combat Controllers, Combat Rescue Officers, Pararescuemen, Special Reconnaissance operators, Tactical Air Control Party Officers, and Tactical Air Control Party operators.[1]

Special Tactics Squadrons are organized, trained and equipped specifically for various special operations missions facilitating air operations on the battlefield. They conduct combat search and rescue missions, collect intelligence, as well as call in close air support or airstrikes against enemy combatants and are often partnered with other U.S. special operations forces overseas.[1]

History

Constituted 23rd Fighter Control Squadron (Special) on 10 January 1943. Activated on 6 February 1943. Redesignated 23rd Fighter Control Squadron on 16 Sep 1943. Inactivated on 29 Oct 1945. Disbanded on 8 Oct 1948. Reconstituted, and consolidated on 1 March 1992 with 1723rd Combat Control Squadron. Redesignated 1723rd Special tactics Squadron on 1 April 1990; 23rd Special Tactics Squadron on 31 March 1992.[2]

Staff Sgt. Richard Hunter, a combat controller with the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron, received the Air Force Cross for his actions during a battle in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan on 2 November 2016. Hunter was embedded in a joint US Special Forces/Afghan unit that was engaged in a fierce firefight in a village near Kunduz Province, Afghanistan, 2 November 2016. During the eight-hour firefight, Staff Sgt.Hunter called in 31 danger-close air strikes on enemy forces.[3][4][5]

Operations
Then-MSgt Bart Decker from the 23rd STS, on horseback in the Balkh valley, during the initial days of the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.
U.S. Air Force Special Tactics Commandos from the 23rd Special Tactics Squadron training in Jordan

Members of the unit have participated in Operation Just Cause (1989), Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm (1990–1991), Operation Provide Comfort (1991), Operation Allied Force, Kosovo in 1999, and have been engaged in combat since October 2001 in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Members of the U.S. Air Force's 23rd Special Tactics Squadron took part in Haiti earthquake relief operations by providing air traffic control operations at Haiti's Toussaint Louverture International Airport.[6] In the aftermath of Hurricane Michael in 2018, the 23rd came to clear and establish the runway at Tyndall Air Force Base.[7]

See also

References
  1. "The Air Force's Only Special Tactics Wing". Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  2. "23rd Special Tactics Squadron". Hurlburt Field. 27 April 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  3. "SecAF awards Air Force Cross, 10 medals to Air Commandos". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  4. "Combat controller to receive Air Force Cross for actions during fierce Afghan battle". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  5. "Richard Hunter, Air Force Cross". Retrieved 31 March 2020.
  6. Shaughnessy, Larry (15 January 2010). "Chaos at Haiti airport calmed by Air Force". CNN. Retrieved 27 September 2017.
  7. Tirpak, John A.; Everstine, Brian (12 October 2018). "Tyndall F-22s, Left Behind Before Michael Hit, Possibly Damaged Beyond Repair". Retrieved 13 October 2018.
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