20th Special Operations Squadron

20th Special Operations Squadron
20th Special Operations Squadron
	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
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
Insignia
20th Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 9 December 1993)
20th Special Operations Squadron unofficial Pony Express emblem
20th Helicopter Squadron emblem
20th Observation Squadron emblem (approved 31 October 1942

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.

[2-SOSfacts-1] Dollman, TSG David (18 October 2016). "Factsheet 20 Special Operations Squadron (AFSOC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 September 2017.

[2] Approved either 22 May 1957 or 7 July 1958. Endicott, p. 478.

[Maurer20TRS-3] Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 108–109

[HurlburtFactsheet-4] "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.

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