| 20th Special Operations Squadron | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Squadron CV-22 Osprey in formation in formation with Ospreys from the 8th Special Operations Squadron | |
| Active | 1942–1945; 1956–1960; 1965–1972; 1976–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Special Operations |
| Part of | Air Force Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Cannon Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Pony Express/Green Hornets |
| Engagements | China-Burma-India Theater Vietnam War Desert Storm Kosovo War Afghanistan War[1] |
| Decorations |  Presidential Unit Citation  Gallant Unit Citation  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 20th Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 9 December 1993)[1] |  |
| 20th Special Operations Squadron unofficial Pony Express emblem |  |
| 20th Helicopter Squadron emblem[2] |  |
| 20th Observation Squadron emblem (approved 31 October 1942[3] |  |
The 20th Special Operations Squadron is part of the 27th Special Operations Wing at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operates Bell Boeing CV-22 Ospreys on special operations missions. It traces its history back to the activation of the 20th Observation Squadron (Light) at Savannah, Georgia, in March 1942.
The squadron conducts day or night low-level penetration into hostile enemy territory, to accomplish clandestine infiltration and exfiltration, aerial gunnery support and resupply of special operations forces throughout the world.[4]
- ^ a b c Dollman, TSG David (18 October 2016). "Factsheet 20 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
- ^ Approved either 22 May 1957 or 7 July 1958. Endicott, p. 478.
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 108–109
- ^ "Library: Fact Sheet 20th Special Operations Squadron". 1st Special Operations Wing Public Affairs. 8 July 2008. Archived from the original on 18 July 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2017.