21st Special Operations Squadron

21st Special Operations Squadron
Active1940–1946; 1956–1957; 1967–1975; 1988–2007; 2019–
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleSpecial operations
Garrison/HQYokota Air Base, Japan
Nickname(s)Dust Devils[1]
Engagements
  • World War II
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign
(1941-1945)
  • Vietnam War (1967–1973)
Operation Frequent Wind
Mayaguez incident[2]
Operation Deny Flight
Operation Deliberate Force
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
21st Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 18 October 1967, reinstated 1996)[2]
21st Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 6 June 1995)[3]
21st Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 20 December 1941)[4]

The 21st Special Operations Squadron is a unit within the 353rd Special Operations Wing, United States Air Force based at Yokota Air Base, Japan. The unit has been activated and inactivated a number of times in its history. Prior to October 2007 it was with the 352nd Special Operations Group, United States Air Force, United States European Command, and based at Royal Air Force base RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, England.

It can trace its roots back to the 21st Pursuit Squadron, which was activated on 1 February 1940 at Moffett Field, California. It took part in the combat in the Philippine Islands, from 8 December 1941. Being inactivated on 2 April 1946, later being activated as the 21st Helicopter Squadron, and inactivated again. Then activated for the Vietnam War on 30 June 1967, assigned to Tactical Air Command, later being redesignated the 21st Special Operations Squadron on 1 August 1968. The squadron took part in both Operation Frequent Wind, and the Mayaguez incident. In addition to its combat duties, the unit has taken part in a number of humanitarian aid operations.

  1. ^ Combat Aircraft. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. September 2019. p. 11.
  2. ^ a b "21 Special Operations Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  3. ^ Endicott, p. 485
  4. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 112–113