308th/- 307th DETACHMENT 1 – RED HORSE SQUADRON
MISSION
The RED HORSE mission is to support combat air power worldwide, RED HORSE provides the Commander of Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) a dedicated, flexible, airfield and base heavy construction and repair capability. RED HORSE also provides many special capabilities that allow the COMAFFOR to move and support missions as the air order of battle dictates. The standard RED HORSE capability consists of 404 personnel (engineers and support personnel) with approximately 1,000 short-tons of vehicles, heavy construction and support equipment. This organic support allows the unit to operate independently for extended periods of time until normal supply channels are established. In addition to the standard capability, the RED HORSE special capabilities consist of approximately 2,200 short-tons, which can be tailored to meet specific construction and repair requirements. When operating in a higher threat, non-permissive environment outside a forward operating base or collocated operating base, the RED HORSE commander, in coordination with the area commander (i.e. combat arms land force commander), determines additional security requirements based on operational risk.
HISTORY
On July 1, 1971, the 308th Civil Engineering Flight, Heavy Repair (CEF HR)) was organized at Barksdale AFB, LA. Its sister unit, the 307th Civil Engineering Squadron, Heavy Repair, (CES HR)) was also organized that same day but located at Ellington AFB, TX. These were the first RED HORSE units assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command. In the event of mobilization, both units would be merged, and the combination of both units would form the 307th CES, HR (Wartime Configuration). The 307th CES HR would be the Headquarters for the squadron. All Reserve and Air National Guard units have approximately 200 personnel assigned.
In March 1976, the 308th was redesignated 307th Civil Engineering Squadron Heavy Repair Detachment 1 when the 307th CES HR relocated to the East Kelly Annex at Kelly AFB, TX.
On February 23, 2006, the 307th RED HORSE Squadron at Kelly/Lackland AFB was inactivated and redesignated to the 556th RED HORSE Squadron. This action caused the 307th Detachment 1 to now be a squadron.
On August 31, 2015, the 307th RED HORSE Squadron at Barksdale LA was deactivated.
OPERATIONS
In the early years, the 308th CEF (HR) spent most of their training time rehabilitating their own facilities at Barksdale AFB, LA.
In 1988, between July and August, the 307th CES (HR) and its Detachment 1 deployed with more than 300 tons of equipment to Honduras. The humanitarian project was requested by Honduran civil and military officials through the American military organization at Palmerola, Joint Task Force Bravo, with Southern Command approval.
In the spring and summer of 1992, the 307th RED HORSE Civil Engineering Squadron (RHCES) and its Detachment-1 planned, coordinated and executed a six-month engineering exercise to the Republic of Panama in support of JCS Exercise Fuertes Caminos-92. The effort also included the 820th RED HORSE, Prime BEEF, Prime RIBS, medical personnel and security police personnel from 12 Air Force Reserve locations. Civil engineers completed major facility repairs on 20 schools and four clinics and repaired or replaced 169 water well pumps throughout Panama.
In 1999, from January through March, the 307th RHS Detachment 1 deployed to Dangriga Belize, as part of New Horizons humanitarian support. The humanitarian support included projects to purge and repair hand pumps on five wells and drill four new ones. The old wells that were in place had no way to maintain purity causing local citizens to have health issues, which included parasites, worms, kidney stones and gall stones. Due to these health concerns the old wells were sealed. At one of the new locations locals had been walking for a half mile to a river to get their water
In 1999, from May through September, the 307th RHS and its Detachment 1 went to Tinker AFB, OK on a troop training project involving removal of three-fourths of a mile of deteriorating above ground power lines and poles and routing them underground into concrete-encased conduit.
In 2003, the 307th RHS Detachment 1 deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In 2004, the 307th RHS and other units deployed to the Republic of Korea and completed a series of construction projects at several air bases.
In 2006, the 307th RHS, and other units deployed for their two week training requirement, some staying longer, to the Republic of Korea. Construction projects included replacement of the aircraft arresting systems, road construction, installation of drainage culverts, and construction of buildings to contain the aircraft arresting systems at Kunsan AB. At Kimhae AB, two steel-arch warehouses were constructed to store war reserve materiel. In addition, 30 contingency cabins were built to support air force expeditionary rotations. At Suwon AB, a new latrine and laundry facility were constructed.
In 2013, the 307th RHS, deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
UNIT PATCH
LINAGE
17 Jun 1971 – Established 308th Civil Engineering Flight (Heavy Repair)
1 Jul 1971 – Activated
1 Mar 1976 – Redesignated 307th Civil Engineering Squadron, RED HORSE Det 1
1 Mar 1989 – Redesignated 307th RED HORSE Civil Engineering Squadron Det 1
1 Mar 1994 – Redesignated 307th RED HORSE Squadron Det 1
23 Feb 2006 – Redesignated 307th RED HORSE Squadron
31 Aug 2015 – Deactivated
STATIONS
1 Jul 1971 – Barksdale AFB, LA
ASSIGNMENTS
1 Jul 1971 – Central Air Force Reserve Region
Below is the initial activation order.
