71st SOS Homepage

This website is presented to recognize the special assignment performed by the 71st Tactical Airlift Squadron of the 434th Tactical Airlift Wing from Columbus, Indiana. The 71st was activated on May 13, 1968 to expedite the deployment of AC-119G gunships into the Southeast Asia conflict. The unit was redesignated 71st Special Operations Squadron on July 8, 1968. After successfully completing its mission in Southeast Asia, the unit returned home to Bakalar AFB, Columbus, Indiana on June 6, 1969.

Further, this site's purpose is to present an overview of the history of the 434th from its beginning in WW II to the present day 434th Air Refueling Wing at Grissom Air Reserve Base.

During the 71 year history of the 434th, it and its subordinate units have answered the call to active duty in six major military conflicts; World War II, Korea, Cuban missile crisis, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and most recently, Operation Iraqi Freedom.