55th
inactivation marks end of Pave Hawk era in AFSOC
Released: 20 Sep 1999
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. (AFPN) -- A series of
campaign streamers camouflage the 55th Special Operations
Squadron's guidon. Each ribbon marks a moment in history --
a conflict, a contingency, a mission executed.
During an inactivation ceremony Sept. 16,
the 55th SOS commander and the 16th Operations Group
commander sheathed the unit's guidon, marking the end of the
MH-60 Pave Hawk unit's presence at Hurlburt Field, Fla.
Though the 55th SOS's lineage pauses with
the inactivation, closing the unit's doors is not a
reflection of the caliber of the "Night Hawks,"
said the squadron's commander.
"The unit became a Special Operations
Squadron in 1988, and has been part of every contingency
since 1987," said Lt. Col. Steve Laushine, 55th SOS
commander. "We've provided support in Operation Just
Cause in Panama, Desert Shield and Desert Storm. We spent
seven years in Turkey and Iraq supporting Operations Provide
Comfort I and II and Northern Watch. During that time we
supported everything from disaster and humanitarian relief,
to combat search and rescue.
"The inactivation is a part of the
command's preparation for the next century," said the
colonel. "The 55th's contributions to the SOF world
will not be forgotten when we close our doors. Change and
progress come with the territory of tomorrow. Force
structure changes were inevitable as AFSOC makes way for the
arrival of the CV-22."
The inactivation of the 55th SOS is part
of the command's preparation for the arrival of the CV-22
Osprey at Hurlburt Field. The squadron's MH-60G's were
transferred to Air Combat Command.
The Night Hawk team's accomplishments and
feats should not be overshadowed by the inactivation, said
the commander.
"I'm incredibly proud of the men and
women of the 55th, and the contributions they have made to
the 16th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special
Operations Command and the nation," said Laushine.
Earlier this year, the squadron was in the
midst of preparing for the inactivation when a phone call
changed the tempo. The Night Hawks were among the AFSOC
units called on to support Operation Allied Force. Though
aircrews, maintainers and support people were less than six
months away from new assignments, the NATO mission became
their top priority.
"When I briefed the squadron on the
tasking, their reaction was as I expected it to be -- they
were excited," he said. "We focused on what we
needed to do to get the job done; we were getting the
opportunity to once again do what we've trained to do,"
said Laushine.
Supporting OAF would be the 55th's last
hurrah, but the pending squadron closure would not be
turbulence along the unit's final flight path.
"Participating in the campaign was a
huge boost for the unit. Closing a unit brings its own
morale issues to the table, especially when it means
breaking apart a (squadron) family," said the colonel.
"It was a pretty stressful time for the squadron, as
everyone is getting ready for new careers, new airframes,
new weapons systems and new assignments. But, everyone put
aside the inactivation and put energies toward the mission
at hand."
Keeping their Night Hawk eyes on target,
the squadron's role in OAF would earn them a final campaign
streamer and another footnote in history. Members of the
55th SOS were among the AFSOC team that rescued the two
downed U.S. pilots during the NATO operation.
"I think the way the missions were
executed says a lot for the caliber of all the men and women
in AFSOC," said Laushine, who flew on board an MH-53
Pave Low, and served as mission commander for both rescue
operations.
"The entire 55th Special Operations
Squadron team was honored to be part of the team that
ensured the two downed airmen were returned safely. Taking
part in OAF and the rescues provided an honorable closure to
an illustrious era of the 55th," said Laushine.
The Night Hawk's trace their heritage to
the 55th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, which was
activated in 1952 at Thule Air Base, Greenland. In 1960, the
unit was inactivated, only to be reactivated in 1961 at
Kindley Air Force Station, Bermuda. The 55th relocated to
McCoy Air Force Base, Fla., in 1970 and then moved to Eglin
AFB, Fla., in 1971. The Night Hawks moved to Hurlburt Field,
Feb. 25, 1993.
The unit has operated a number of aircraft
to include the HH-19, HH/SH-21, HH-43, HH-53, HH-3, and up
until its inactivation, the MH-60G Pave Hawk.
A majority of the 55th SOS team is
transitioning to other major commands, though some will
remain in the AFSOC community flying, maintaining and
supporting different airframes.
"Throughout the years, the 55th SOS
could not have accomplished all it did without the help and
support of the people and squadrons at Hurlburt Field,"
said Laushine. "Being part of the 16th SOW family has
been a special part of the unit's history, and we'll miss
that camaraderie."
RELATED SITES
* MH-53J
Pave Low
* MH-60G
Pave Hawk
* Air Combat Command
* Air Force Special
Operations Command
* Hurlburt Field,
Fla.
* NATO
* Operation
Northern Watch
TOP
