Began combat in the Philippines by flying bombing and strafing missions against airdromes on Mindanao. Following the destruction of Clark Air Base during the volcanic eruptions of Mount Pinatubo in June 1991, the group temporarily operated from bases on Okinawa, then officially relocated there in February 1992, with one squadron moving forward to South Korea. By February 1946 the squadrons were reduced to paper strength and the group inactivated the next month. Units from the 374th Airlift Wing and from the 353rd Special Operations Group accomplished a variety of missions alongside their Japan Self-Defense Force and joint partners across the Kanto Plains, allowing the enhancement of bilateral operations between the U.S. and Japan. The 554th Reconnaissance squadron was inactivated with that squadron number then assigned to what was Detachment 1 at Nakon Phanom RTAFB. The 353rd Special Operations Group is the focal point for special operations aviation activities throughout the Pacific. The 353rd Special Operations Group is the focal point for all air special operations activities throughout the Pacific. Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, 353rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron, https://www.gao.gov/assets/680/671462.pdf, "Factsheet 353 Special Operations Group (AFSOC)", "Approved insignia of the 353d Special Operations Group", "The 353rd SOG bids farewell to the Combat Talon II", "Special operations Osprey squadrons stand up at US air base in Tokyo", "Two special operations Osprey squadrons stand up at Yokota AB", "Factsheet 353 Special Operations Maintenance Squadron (AFSOC)", "Factsheet 353 Special Operations Support Squadron (AFSOC)", House Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces, House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=353rd_Special_Operations_Group&oldid=994514722, Special operations groups of the United States Air Force, All Wikipedia articles written in American English, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with "V" Device, 353rd Special Operations Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, at Kadena Air Base, 753rd Special Operations Maintenance Squadron, at Yokota Air Base, 353rd Special Operations Support Squadron, at Kadena Air Base, V Fighter Command, c. 11 May 1945 – 25 March 1946 (remained under operational control of 308th Bombardment Wing through 28 May 1945, under operational control of, Thirteenth Air Force, 31 October 1967 – 15 December 1970 (under operational control of. Throughout its history, the unit has been extremely active in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The last 553d Reconnaissance EC-121R mission occurred on 6 December 1971. The 353rd Special Operations Wing activated in Apr 1989 in the Philippines to train for unconventional warfare and special operations activities in the Pacific area of operations. Gained a weather flight in April 1996 and began providing weather support for U.S. Army Special Forces at Torii Station, Japan. In 2018, the unit assisted with the Thai cave rescue. This new major command consisted of three wings: the 1st, 39th and 353rd Special Operations Wings as well as the 1720th Special Tactics Group (1720 STG), the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School, and the Special Missions Operational Test and Evaluation Center. While on Luzon, this squadron also para-dropped supplies to ground forces. The 353rd Special Operations Group is the focal point for special operations aviation activities throughout the Pacific. The 353 SOG is the United States Air Force special forces contribution to the U.S. Special Operations Command, Pacific (SOCPAC), a subcommand of the United States Pacific Command.. The two units were consolidated in 1985 under the wing designation. The 353d Special Operations Group (353 SOG) is an operational unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command.It is stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan.. It is stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan.. In addition, the group provided air support to ground forces, flew fighter sweeps to Formosa, and escorted heavy bombers on bombing missions to Formosa and the China coast. The 353rd Special Operations Group is an operational unit of the United States Air Force Special Operations Command, stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan. 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