16 Operations Group (AFSOC) Lineage. Established as 1 Special Operations Group on 21 Sep 1992. Activated on 22 Sep 1992. Resdesignated 16 Operations Group on 1 Oct 1993. Assignments. 1 Special Operations (later, 16 Special Operations) Wing, 22 Sep 1992-. Components. Squadrons: 4 Special Operations: 1 May 1995-. 6 Special Operations Squadron (formerly, 6 Special Operations Flight): 1 Apr 1994-. 8 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-. 9 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-. 15 Special Operations: 1 Oct 1992-. 16 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-. 19 Special Operations: 24 May 1996-. 20 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-. 55 Special Operations: 22 Sep 1992-11 Nov 1999. Flights: 6 Special Operations (later, 6 Special Operations Squadron): 1 Apr 1994-. Stations. Hurlburt Field, FL, 22 Sep 1992-. Commanders. Col Norton A. Schwartz, 22 Sep 1992; Col Jack R. Holbein Jr., 14 May 1993; Col Gary W. Heckman, 6 Sep 1994; Col Richard L. Comer, 28 Jun 1996; Col James B. Connors, 25 Apr 1997; Col Donald C. Wurster, 4 Sep 1997; Col Lyle M. Koenig, 5 Jun 1998; Col Robert G. Leonik, 24 Jan 2000; Col Thomas R. O'Boyle, 27 Jun 2002-. Aircraft. AC-130, 1992-; HC-130, 1992-; MC-130, 1992-; MH-53,1992-; MH-60, 1992-; UH-1N, 1997-. Operations. The group managed flying operations for nine special operations squadrons of the 16th Special Operations Wing. It deployed personnel and equipment worldwide in support of contingencies, humanitarian relief, and exercises that included Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq, Kuwait, and Central America, performing Combat search and rescue in Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1993-1996, and in Operations Deny Flight, and Northern, and Southern Watch in Iraq. As the wing's flying coordinator, the group deployed squadron elements to participate in operations Provide Comfort in Iraq and Deny Flight, Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1993-1995. It supported operation Deliberate Force/Joint Endeavor, Aug-Sep 1995 and Dec 1996, flying combat missions and attacking targets critical to Bosnian-Serb Army operations. Squadrons of the group participated in operations Northern and Southern Watch in 1997 and again in combat operations in Desert Thunder, Feb-Jun 1998 and Desert Fox, 17-21 Dec 1998. It assumed an additional mission, supporting the Aerospace Expeditionary Forces in Feb 2000. In 2001 and 2002 deployed elements to Afghanistan and Iraq and performed combat operations in the global war on terror. Service Streamers. None. Campaign Streamers. None. Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None. Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device: 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: [22 Sep] 1992-15 Apr 1994; 1 Jun 1995-31 May 1997; 1 Jun 1997-31 May 1999; 1 Jul 1999-30 Jun 2001; 1 Jul 2001-30 Jun 2003. Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 18 Jan 2005. Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 31 Dec 2003. Emblem. Group will use the wing emblem with group designation in the scroll. Prepared by Carl E. Bailey. Reviewed by A. Timothy Warnock.