This article was accepted into the corpus but its outbound wikilinks were never NER-processed — typical at the deepest BFS hop or when the run's entity cap was reached. No expansion funnel to show.
| 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron |
| Dates | 1942–1946; 1946–1949; 1953–1958; 1967–1975; 1978–1991; 1993–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Tactical air support |
| Role | Forward air control, liaison, and tactical air support |
| Garrison | Davis–Monthan Air Force Base |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron
The 23rd Tactical Air Support Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force with a lineage tracing to World War II airborne and liaison operations and postwar tactical air control missions. The squadron has been associated with forward air control, coordination with United States Army units, and support for combat operations during the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm, and subsequent contingencies involving North Atlantic Treaty Organization and regional partners. Its history intersects with major commands such as Air Combat Command, Pacific Air Forces, and Tactical Air Command.
The squadron originated in World War II during a period of rapid expansion of United States Army Air Forces communications and light transport units supporting campaigns in the China Burma India Theater, the European Theater of Operations, and the Southwest Pacific Area. Postwar reorganization under the United States Air Force led to multiple inactivations and reactivations amid Cold War force structure changes involving Strategic Air Command, Tactical Air Command, and theater air commands. During the Vietnam era the unit adapted forward air control techniques developed in coordination with Military Assistance Command, Vietnam and the Airborne Tactical Advantage Program. In late 20th-century operations the squadron integrated aircraft such as the Cessna O-2 Skymaster and later light observation and forward air control platforms used in cooperation with United States Army Special Forces and joint task forces.
The squadron's primary mission is to provide tactical air support and forward air control to ground commanders, coordinating close air support, reconnaissance, and airborne command-and-control in support of operations like Operation Rolling Thunder and theater-level campaigns. It performs airborne terminal attack control, battlefield surveillance, and liaison functions alongside units such as III Corps (United States), 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, and multinational coalitions under United States Central Command. The unit trains aircrews in forward air control doctrine promulgated by institutions including the United States Air Force Academy, Air University, and joint schools such as the Joint Forces Staff College.
The squadron's lineage reflects multiple redesignations, consolidations, and changes of assignment through commands including Ninth Air Force, Fifteenth Air Force, and Fifth Air Force. It was constituted and activated in the early 1940s, later redesignated and allotted to reserve components under Air Force Reserve Command during peacetime drawdowns. Operational control has shifted among wings and groups such as the 23rd Tactical Air Support Group, 612th Tactical Control Group, and 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing as force posture and theater needs evolved.
The unit has been stationed at stateside bases like Davis–Monthan Air Force Base, Tyndall Air Force Base, and Hurlburt Field as well as overseas locations including Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Eglin Air Force Base, and forward operating locations in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. Deployments placed elements at airfields in Thailand, South Korea, and Germany to support United States Pacific Command and United States European Command commitments.
Throughout its history the squadron employed liaison and observation aircraft such as the Stinson L-5 Sentinel, the Cessna O-2 Skymaster, and later light attack and surveillance platforms including variants of the OV-10 Bronco, the Pilatus PC-12, and sensor-equipped turboprop aircraft. For communications and command the squadron integrated systems interoperable with platforms like the A-10 Thunderbolt II, F-4 Phantom II, and rotary-wing assets including the Bell UH-1 Iroquois for joint terminal attack control and battlefield coordination.
The squadron supported significant operations including tactical air control during the Vietnam War, close air support coordination in Operation Desert Storm, and multinational exercises such as Bright Star and Red Flag. It played roles in theater air interdiction, aerial reconnaissance support for Marine Expeditionary Units, and training missions with partner air forces including Royal Thai Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force units. The unit’s forward air controllers were embedded with Army and Marine units during counterinsurgency and conventional operations.
Elements of the squadron have received decorations including the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for meritorious service during combat and peacetime operations, and campaign credits tied to Vietnam Service Medal and Southwest Asia Service Medal periods. Personnel earned individual awards through coordination of close air support missions recognized by commands such as United States Central Command and theater commanders.
Category:United States Air Force squadrons Category:Military units and formations established in 1942