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On 1 August, the 19th was placed under operational control of [[Tenth Air Force]]. Shortly after the Japanese surrendered, on 18 August 1945, the 19th moved to [[Nanning]], China. From there it returned via [[Calcutta]], India to the U.S., where it inactivated on 1 Dec 1945 at [[Fort Lewis]], Washington. <ref name="19th TASS">{{cite web|title=19th TASS <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.squawk-flash.org/19th_tass/19th_tass.htm|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5gwhyqkzI|archivedate=2009-05-21|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-19}}</ref>
On 1 August, the 19th was placed under operational control of [[Tenth Air Force]]. Shortly after the Japanese surrendered, on 18 August 1945, the 19th moved to [[Nanning]], China. From there it returned via [[Calcutta]], India to the U.S., where it inactivated on 1 Dec 1945 at [[Fort Lewis]], Washington. <ref name="19th TASS">{{cite web|title=19th TASS <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.squawk-flash.org/19th_tass/19th_tass.htm|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5gwhyqkzI|archivedate=2009-05-21|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-19}}</ref>


===Vietnam War===
The 19th TASS was the first Forward Air Control squadron assigned to the Vietnam War. It began with O-1 Bird Dogs transferred from army aviation.<ref name="The 19th TASS">{{cite web|title=The 19th TASS <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.fac-assoc.org/19%20TASS/19thTASS.htm|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5gwhyRHS6|archivedate=2009-05-21|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-19}}</ref>


The squadron was activated at [[Bien Hoa]], [[Vietnam]] on 17 June 1963, under [[Pacific Air Forces]]. The unit's original mission was support of the [[South Vietnamese Air Force]]; it also trained Vietnamese pilots and observers. Besides forward air control and artillery control, it performed a multiplicity of other roles: [[psychological warfare]], radio relay, and resupply missions, as well as aerial escort for convoys, helilifts, and trains.

It was assigned to the 34th Tactical Group, 8 July 1963 through 8 August 1964.<ref name="squawk-flash.org">{{cite web|title=19th TASS <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.squawk-flash.org/19th_tass/19th_tass.htm|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?id=1242943047914704|archivedate=2009-05-21|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-19}}</ref> It was during this time that Richard Whitesides was the first FAC of the Vietnam War to win the first [[Air Force Cross (United States)|Air Force Cross]], on a mission near [[Khe Sanh]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Valor awards for Richard Whitesides &#124; Military Times Hall of Valor <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=3530|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5h6qOyg44|archivedate=2009-05-28|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> Its original mandate was a one year assignment to train the VNAF, with the 19th's O-1's to be turned over to the South Vietnamese at the end of the year. The [[Tonkin Gulf incident]] scotched those plans.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fact Sheets : Forward Air Control in Southeast Asia - The Advisory Years : Forward Air Control in Southeast Asia - The Advisory Years <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5573|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5h6qLz5mK|archivedate=2009-05-28|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> One of the additional missions was flying support and forward air control for [[Project DELTA]] in their covert insertions into Laos. They began this secretive mission in July 1963, and carried it out until the 21st TASS took over the role.<ref>{{cite web|title=B-52 Project Delta <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.projectdelta.net/aviation.htm|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5h6qLZqlL|archivedate=2009-05-28|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref>

The 19th served in its roles until 8 August 1964, when it was briefly inactivated. It was reactivated on 16 October, 1964, once again under Pacific Air Forces; it was reassigned to the 34th Tactical Group, 21 October 1964.<ref name="squawk-flash.org"/> In this incarnation, its principal mission was visual reconnaissance and forward air control of fighter-bombers, although it continued to train Vietnamese pilots and observers. It was shifted to the 6251st Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1965. Shortly thereafter, on 8 November 1965, it was transferred to the [[505th Command and Control Wing|505th Tactical Air Support Group]].<ref name="squawk-flash.org"/> The 19th TASS began flying actual forward air control sorties out of Bien Hoa on 11 November 1965, using the call sign Sidewinder.<ref name="FAC Call Signs 03">{{cite web|title=FAC Call Signs 03 <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.chancefac.net/FAC_CS/fac_call_signs_0327FMT.htm|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5h6qNPlRg|archivedate=2009-05-28|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> By July 1966, the 19th was parceled out among numerous forward operating locations in [[III Corps]] and [[II Corps]]. While serving as Forward Air Controllers and/or Air Liaison Officers, they used the radio net under various call signs, most of which were names of serpents.

Beginning in 1968, the 19th TASS extended its squadron inventory to include [[O-2 Skymaster]]s and [[OV-10 Bronco]]s.<ref name="19th TASS"/> On 15 January 1971, it absorbed the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron, leaving the 22nd an unmanned unequipped paper unit.<ref name="fac-assoc.org">{{cite web|title=USAF UNIT LINEAGE AND HONORS HISTORY <!-- BOT GENERATED TITLE -->|url=http://www.fac-assoc.org/22%20TASS/22-1.htm|work=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/5h6qNoQUT|archivedate=2009-05-28|deadurl=no|accessdate=2009-05-26}}</ref> Representative of this change, the FACs supporting the [[199th Light Infantry Brigade]] upgraded from 0-1s to OV-10s at this time.<ref name="FAC Call Signs 03"/>
On 15 January 1971, it absorbed the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron, leaving the 22nd an unmanned unequipped paper unit.<ref name="fac-assoc.org"/> The unit transferred to [[Phan Rang Air Base]], Vietnam on 1 August 1971. On 30 September 1971, another unit acquired the 19th's inventory. The 19th then remained a paper squadron until 15 January 1972, when it transferred to the inactive theater of South Korea, to Osan AB.<ref name="19th TASS"/>

By the time the 19th TASS left Vietnam, it had won three [[Presidential Unit Citation]]s, four [[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]]s with Combat V, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and numerous campaign honors for its Vietnam wartie service.<ref name="The 19th TASS"/>




Revision as of 04:27, 1 June 2011

26th Weapons Squadron
Emblem of the 19th Weapons Squadron
Active1942–Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypeUAV Training

The 19th Weapons Squadron is a non-flying United States Air Force unit, assigned to the USAF Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Overview

The squadron has two syllabi, the Intelligence Weapons Instructor Course and the Intelligence Sensor Weapons Instructor Course, and a flight that supports mission planning for 17,000 sorties annually.

History

World War II

Activated as the 19th Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 Feb 1942. The squadron activated on 2 Mar 1942 at Miami Municipal Airport as part of the Air Force Combat Command. Five days later, it moved to Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida. Two days after that, it became part of Army Air Forces. On the 29th, it became part of the 66th Observation Group.

It moved to Pope Army Airfield, North Carolina on 11 May 1942. While there, it was redesignated as the 19th Observation Squadron. On 19 October 1942, it moved to Morris Field, North Carolina. On 2 April 1943, it changed name once again, to 19th Liaison Squadron. The following day, it transferred bases to Camp Campbell, Kentucky. On 22 June 1943, it changed airfields once more, to Aiken Army Airfield, South Carolina. On 11 August 1943, it was assigned to I Air Support Command.

It flew anti-submarine missions using A-20 Havocs, B-25 Mitchells, and O-52 Owls, while undergoing observation training at these various bases in the southeastern states. They used L-1 Vigilants, L-2 Grasshoppers, Aeronca L-3s, L-4 Grasshoppers, L-5 Sentinels, L-6 Grasshoppers, and Douglas O-46s for observation sorties. P-39 Airacobras, P-43 Lancers, and P-51 Mustangs were also in the squadron aircraft inventory.

From Aiken, the squadron shipped cross-country to Camp Anza, California, arriving on 28 March 1944. This was a transit base for the squadron, as it shipped out to Bombay (now Mumbai), India. It arrived in India on 9 April, and was attached to U. S. Army Forces, China-India-Burma. It spent an itinerant few weeks further training in India, moving through Kanchrapara and Ondal, to land in Chabua on 17 May.

It then moved onward to Kunming, China arriving on 29 May 1944. They were attached to Y Force, to begin observation missions in support of Chinese Nationalist ground forces. They supported Y Force until 8 August. Their American parent unit would be variously Fourteenth Air Force and the 69th Composite Wing.

At various times, the 19th operated detachments from Kunming, Poashan, Wenshan, Yunnanyi, Chihkiang, Kweiyang, and Liuchow. It moved bases to Chengkung on 28 March 1945. After March 1945, the squadron carried mail and passengers to American liaison personnel in South China, and the 19th flew re-supply missions to resistance forces operating behind enemy lines in French Indochina.

On 1 August, the 19th was placed under operational control of Tenth Air Force. Shortly after the Japanese surrendered, on 18 August 1945, the 19th moved to Nanning, China. From there it returned via Calcutta, India to the U.S., where it inactivated on 1 Dec 1945 at Fort Lewis, Washington. [1]

Vietnam War

The 19th TASS was the first Forward Air Control squadron assigned to the Vietnam War. It began with O-1 Bird Dogs transferred from army aviation.[2]

The squadron was activated at Bien Hoa, Vietnam on 17 June 1963, under Pacific Air Forces. The unit's original mission was support of the South Vietnamese Air Force; it also trained Vietnamese pilots and observers. Besides forward air control and artillery control, it performed a multiplicity of other roles: psychological warfare, radio relay, and resupply missions, as well as aerial escort for convoys, helilifts, and trains.

It was assigned to the 34th Tactical Group, 8 July 1963 through 8 August 1964.[3] It was during this time that Richard Whitesides was the first FAC of the Vietnam War to win the first Air Force Cross, on a mission near Khe Sanh.[4] Its original mandate was a one year assignment to train the VNAF, with the 19th's O-1's to be turned over to the South Vietnamese at the end of the year. The Tonkin Gulf incident scotched those plans.[5] One of the additional missions was flying support and forward air control for Project DELTA in their covert insertions into Laos. They began this secretive mission in July 1963, and carried it out until the 21st TASS took over the role.[6]

The 19th served in its roles until 8 August 1964, when it was briefly inactivated. It was reactivated on 16 October, 1964, once again under Pacific Air Forces; it was reassigned to the 34th Tactical Group, 21 October 1964.[3] In this incarnation, its principal mission was visual reconnaissance and forward air control of fighter-bombers, although it continued to train Vietnamese pilots and observers. It was shifted to the 6251st Tactical Fighter Wing on 8 July 1965. Shortly thereafter, on 8 November 1965, it was transferred to the 505th Tactical Air Support Group.[3] The 19th TASS began flying actual forward air control sorties out of Bien Hoa on 11 November 1965, using the call sign Sidewinder.[7] By July 1966, the 19th was parceled out among numerous forward operating locations in III Corps and II Corps. While serving as Forward Air Controllers and/or Air Liaison Officers, they used the radio net under various call signs, most of which were names of serpents.

Beginning in 1968, the 19th TASS extended its squadron inventory to include O-2 Skymasters and OV-10 Broncos.[1] On 15 January 1971, it absorbed the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron, leaving the 22nd an unmanned unequipped paper unit.[8] Representative of this change, the FACs supporting the 199th Light Infantry Brigade upgraded from 0-1s to OV-10s at this time.[7]

On 15 January 1971, it absorbed the 22nd Tactical Air Support Squadron, leaving the 22nd an unmanned unequipped paper unit.[8] The unit transferred to Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam on 1 August 1971. On 30 September 1971, another unit acquired the 19th's inventory. The 19th then remained a paper squadron until 15 January 1972, when it transferred to the inactive theater of South Korea, to Osan AB.[1]

By the time the 19th TASS left Vietnam, it had won three Presidential Unit Citations, four Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat V, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and numerous campaign honors for its Vietnam wartie service.[2]


The 19th originally flew antisubmarine missions during WWII, then moved to China in 1944 to begin observation missions in support of Chinese ground forces and later flew resupply missions to resistance forces operating behind enemy lines in French Indochina.

Combat in Southeast Asia, Jul 1963-Aug 1964 and Oct 1964-Sep 1971. the 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron flew forward air support and observation missions over Vietnam

Provided close air and aerial reconnaissance support, supporting the Eighth U.S. Army and Republic of Korea ground forces, Jan 1972-c. 1980; operated the forward air control mission within the Korean tactical air control system with aerial reconnaissance and close air support until inactivated in October 1993

USAF Weapons School Intelligence Division was activated in 1989. Re-designated as the 19th Weapons Squadron on 3 February 2003.

Lineage

  • Constituted 19th Observation Squadron (Light) on 5 Feb 1942
Activated on 2 Mar 1942
Re-designated: 19th Observation Squadron on 4 Jul 1942
Re-designated: 19th Liaison Squadron on 2 Apr 1943
Inactivated on 1 Dec 1945
  • Re-designated 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron (Light), and activated, on 17 Jun 1963
Organized on 8 Jul 1963
Discontinued, and inactivated, on 8 Aug 1964
  • Activated on 16 Oct 1964
Organized on 21 Oct 1964
Inactivated on 1 Oct 1993
  • Re-designated 19th Weapons Squadron on 24 Jan 2003
Activated on 3 Feb 2003.

Assignments

  • Air Force Combat Command, 2 Mar 1942
  • Army Air Forces, 9 Mar 1942
  • 66th Observation (later, 66th Reconnaissance) Group, 29 Mar 1942
  • I Air Support Command (later, I Tactical Air Division), 11 Aug 1943
  • U. S. Army Forces, China-Burma-India, Apr 1944
  • Fourteenth Air Force. 29 May 1944
Attached to Y Force, 29 May 1944-
  • 69th Composite Wing, 10 Jun 1944
Remained attached to Y Force to 8 Aug 1944
  • Tenth Air Force, 1 Aug-1 Dec 1945
  • 34th Tactical Group, 8 Jul 1963-8 Aug 1964
  • 34th Tactical Group, 21 Oct 1964
  • 6251st Tactical Fighter Wing, 8 Jul 1965
Attached to 6250th Tactical Air Support Group, Provisional, 1 Aug-8 Nov 1965
  • 505th Tactical Control Group, 8 Nov 1965
Attached to 6253d Tactical Air Support Group, Provisional, 9 Sep-8 Dec 1966
  • 504th Tactical Air Support Group, 8 Dec 1966
  • 314th Air Division, 15 Jan 1972
  • 51st Composite Wing, 30 Sep 1974
  • 5th Tactical Air Control Group, 8 Jan 1980
  • 51st Fighter (later, 51 Operations) Group, 1 Oct 1990-1 Oct 1993
  • USAF Weapons School, 3 Feb 2003-Present

Components

  • Detachment: 1 (Camp Casey, South Korea): 15 Apr 1976-8 Jan 1980.

Stations

Aircraft

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  1. ^ a b c "19th TASS". Archived from the original on 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-05-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ a b "The 19th TASS". Archived from the original on 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-05-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ a b c "19th TASS". Archived from the original on 2009-05-21. Retrieved 2009-05-19. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Valor awards for Richard Whitesides | Military Times Hall of Valor". Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-05-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ "Fact Sheets : Forward Air Control in Southeast Asia - The Advisory Years : Forward Air Control in Southeast Asia - The Advisory Years". Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-05-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ "B-52 Project Delta". Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-05-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b "FAC Call Signs 03". Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-05-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ a b "USAF UNIT LINEAGE AND HONORS HISTORY". Archived from the original on 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2009-05-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
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