71st SOS Chronology

Chronology
17th SOS

This Page Updated
January 28, 2006

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71st SOS
(Special Operations Squadron)
Chronology

The AC-119G Shadow Gunship served combat duty for the United States Air Force in Southeast Asia for two (2) years, nine (9) months starting with the 71st Special Operations Squadron in January 1969 and ending with the 17th SOS in September 1971. All AC-119G Shadow gunships were eventually turned-over to the Republic of Vietnam Air Force (VNAF).

Activation chronology is used with permission from the www.71stsos.com Webmaster, Jim Alvis by Dr. Larry Elton Fletcher for use on the AC-119 Gunship website to show the background of the 17th Special Operations Squadron. The Reservists of the 930th TAG and 71st TAS led the way to and in South Vietnam for AC-119 Gunships in Southeast Asia.
Job Well Done!

Chronology

TIME PERIOD	HISTORICAL FACTS
April 11 1968	930th Tactical Airlift Group (TAG) of the Continental Air Command (CONAC) and 71st Tactical Airlift Squadron (TAS) received 30-day notice of call-up to active duty.
May 13 1968	930th TAG/71st TAS reported for active duty at Bakalar AFB, Indiana. Eighteen (18) C-119G Aircraft, 83 Officers, 254 Airmen affected.
June 11 1968	71st TAS moved to Lockbourne AFB; Columbus, Ohio.
June 15 1968	71st TAS designated 71st Air Commando Squadron (ACS).
July 8 1968	71st ACS designated 71st Special Operations Squadron (SOS). Entire USAF Air Commando Command designated Special Operations.
Summer 1968	Transition from C-119G cargo configuration to AC-119G Gunships. 1968 Flight crew augmentation, combat training, ground maintenance training at Lockbourne AFB.
Nov 28 1968	Deputy Defense Secretary Nitze approves deployment of the 71st SOS to South Vietnam.
Dec 5 1968	First two (2) AC-119G Gunships depart Lockbourne for Nha Trang.
Dec 20 1968	71st SOS assigned to 14th Special Operations Wing at Nha Trang.
Jan 5 1969	First combat mission flown out of Nha Trang, RVN.
Jan 29 1969	Last AC-119G gunship departs Lockbourne for South Vietnam.
Feb 1969	Forward Operation Locations (FOLs) established at Phan Rang AB and Tan Son Nhut AB (Saigon).
March 1 1969	All eighteen (18) AC-119G gunships safely in South Vietnam.
March 11 1969	71st SOS declared C-1 “Combat Ready”.
June 1 1969	Activation of the 17th Special Operations Squadron, replacing the 71st SOS. The 17th SOS absorbed approximately 65% of the 71st SOS personnel.
June 5 1969	71st SOS Reservists depart Nha Trang AB for Indiana, USA.
June 6 1969	71st SOS Reservists arrive at Bakalar AFB; Columbus, Indiana.
June 18 1969	71st SOS Reservist released from active duty.

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