353rd Special Operations Wing
The 353rd Special Operations Wing is an operational unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan.
| 353rd Special Operations Wing | |
|---|---|
A 353rd Wing MC-130H Combat Talon II flies a training mission | |
| Active | 1944–1946; 1967–1970; 1989–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Special operations |
| Size | 721 personnel authorized
|
| Part of | Air Force Special Operations Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Kadena Air Base, Japan |
| Nickname(s) | Batcats |
| Motto(s) | Cavete Cattam Latin Beware the Cat |
| Engagements | Southwest Pacific Theater Vietnam War |
| Decorations | Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Insignia | |
| 353rd Special Operations Wing emblem | |
| 353rd Special Operations Group emblem | |
| 353rd Special Operations Group emblem | |
The Wing's first predecessor was activated in 1944 as the 3rd Air Commando Group. The unit was assigned to Fifth Air Force in the Philippines in 1944 for operations with North American P-51 Mustangs, Douglas C-47 Skytrains, and Stinson L-5 Sentinels. It attacked Japanese airfields and installations in the Philippines, supported ground forces on Luzon, and provided escort for missions to Formosa and the China coast. It also made raids on airfields and railways on Formosa, and furnished cover for convoys. In addition, the group transported personnel, dropped supplies to ground troops and guerrilla forces, evacuated casualties from front-line strips, adjusted artillery fire, and flew courier and mail routes.
The second predecessor of the Wing is the 553rd Reconnaissance Wing, which conducted electronic surveillance, particularly of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, in Southeast Asia from 1967 to 1970. The two units were consolidated in 1985 under the wing designation. In 1989, the consolidated unit was activated as the 353rd Special Operations Wing. In 1992, it was redesignated as the 353rd Special Operations Group, and in July 2021, it was reorganized from a group back into a wing.