604th Special Operations Squadron
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The 604th Special Operations Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force squadron It was last active at Bien Hoa Air Base, Vietnam, where it was inactivated in September 1970.
604th Special Operations Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1944–1946; 1963–1964; 1967–1970 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Special Operations |
Nickname(s) | Mattel Marauders (Vietnam) |
Decorations | Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat "V" Device Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm |
Insignia | |
604th Special Operations Squadron emblem | |
Viet Nam Tail Code | CK |
The squadron was first activated in the spring of 1944 as the 4th Fighter Reconnaissance Squadron, although it was soon redesignated the 4th Fighter Squadron (Commando). It moved to the Pacific in the fall of 1944 and earned a Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation for combat in the Philippines. After the surrender of Japan, it served in the occupation forces until being inactivated in March 1946.
The squadron was active briefly as the 604th Fighter Squadron, Commando from 1963 to 1964 in a build-up of Air Force counterinsurgency units in a period of increased American involvement in Southeast Asia. It was activated again as the 604th Air Commando Squadron, Fighter in 1967 to test the combat capability of the Cessna A-37A Dragonfly and moved to Vietnam where it engaged in combat until 1970, when it was inactivated as the Air Force began to withdraw forces from the country. The squadron was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations, an Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device and three Vietnamese Gallantry Crossed with Palm for its actions during the war.