504th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group

The 504th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group is an active United States Air Force unit. It was first activated in 1966 for service during the Vietnam War, and was reactivated in 2009 for service in Afghanistan.

In Vietnam the group provided combat ready aircraft and crews in support of air and ground operations in Southeast Asia (SEA); conducted visual reconnaissance and convoy escort; trained Air Liaison Officers (ALO) and Forward Air Controllers (FAC), 1966–1972. On reactivation in 2009 it began to provide air support, air liaison, and weather support for ground operations, 30 Mar 2009 to present.

From 2009 in Afghanistan the three squadrons of the group performed separate roles:
 * 717th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron – coordinates with NATO’s International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan to provide air support throughout the region.
 * 817th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron – primarily embeds tactical air control parties with Army units.
 * 19th Expeditionary Weather Squadron – creates weather forecasts for the Army.

Lineage

 * Established as 504th Tactical Air Support Group, and activated on 5 Dec 1966.
 * Organized on 8 Dec 1966.
 * Inactivated on 15 Mar 1972.


 * Redesignated as 504th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, and converted to provisional status, on 12 Feb 2009.
 * Activated 30 Mar 2009.



Assignments

 * Pacific Air Forces, 5 Dec 1966
 * Seventh Air Force, 8 Dec 1966 – 15 Mar 1972
 * Air Combat Command 12 Feb 2009
 * Ninth Air Force 30 Mar 2009 – present.

Operational Components in Vietnam

 * 19th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 Dec 1966 – 15 Jan 1972
 * 20th Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 Dec 1966 – 15 Mar 1972
 * 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 Dec 1966 – 15 Mar 1972
 * 22d Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 Dec 1966 – 15 May 1971
 * 23d Tactical Air Support Squadron, 8 Dec 1966 – 15 Mar 1972

Stations

 * Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, 8 Dec 1966
 * Cam Ranh Bay AB, Vietnam, 30 Apr 1970
 * Phan Rang AB, Vietnam, 1 Oct 1971 – 15 Jan 1972
 * Bagram Air Base 30 March 2009 – 30 March 2010.
 * Kabul International Airport 1 Apr 2010 - present.

Aircraft

 * O-1, 1967–1971
 * O-2, 1967–1972
 * OV-10, 1968–1972.

Campaign Streamers

 * Vietnam: Vietnam Air Offensive; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air/Ground; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969; Vietnam Winter/Spring; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII.

Decorations
Presidential Unit Citations: 1 Aug 1968 – 31 Aug 1969; 1 Jan – 31 Dec 1970; 30 Jan – 31 Dec 1971. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm: 8 Dec 1966 – 15 Mar 1972; 8 Feb – 31 Mar 1971; 1 Apr 1971 – 9 Mar 1972.