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.
The 556th Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) (CES(HR)) was constituted 3 February 1966. Following training at Forbes AFB, KS, the 556th CES(HR) was assigned to Utapao Royal Thai Air Base, Thailand to construct living quarters, buildings and other structures needed at the six U.S. Air Force bases throughout Thailand. A contingent of personnel traveled to Nakhon Phanom (NKP) and resided there during 1966-67 to construct the facilities where they later lived and worked. The 556th CES(HR) also established detachments at five other Thai bases. With the exception of a taxiway-runway-apron complex at NKP AB, the unit concentrated primarily on construction of dormitories, dining halls, and other facilities.
The 556th CES(HR) remained in Thailand until its inactivation at U Tapao in October 1969.
Air Force Reserve Command reactivated the 556th RED HORSE Squadron (RHS) on 24 Jan 2006 and officially activated them on 23 Feb 2006 at Lackland AFB, TX. They were then officially moved from Lackland AFB, TX, to their new home at Hurlburt Field, FL on 1 Oct 2008. As a result of the move, there were about 150 of the new 556th RHS members who didn’t want to or were unable to relocate. The 556th RHS was ready by the next summer to support RED HORSE missions. There, at its new home at Hurlburt Field, FL, the unit partnered with Hurlburt’s active duty 823rd RHS under a total force integration initiative. This provided them with opportunities for more and better training. All Reserve and Air National Guard units have approximately 200 personnel assigned.
Between 1966 and 1969, the 556th CES(HR) also constructed other buildings at NKP. These hearty and dedicated airmen braved the elements, the snakes and other creatures to provide Airmen with shelter and protection from the creatures and weather, helping them to better perform their jobs.
New Horizons is a Joint Chiefs of Staff approved, U.S. Southern Command sponsored engineer and medical humanitarian and civic assistance exercise conducted annually in Central and South America. The exercise often involves Reservists and National Guardsmen from the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The purpose of the exercise is to provide joint readiness training for U.S. engineer and medical units while improving the infrastructure of the visited country. Members participate regularly in Joint Chief of Staff and major command exercises, military operations other than war, and humanitarian civic action programs. They perform training projects that assist base construction efforts while at the same time honing their wartime skills.
The 2007 New Horizons exercise in Santa Teresa, Guatemala focused on constructing a three-room schoolhouse capable of withstanding a Category 4 hurricane and, more importantly, able to accommodate up to 180 students, clinics, water wells, as well as conducting medical readiness training. What started out as an empty, dusty, weed-infested plot of land ended up being the pride of a small village in the mountains of Guatemala. Despite serious delays in getting concrete from local suppliers the team was able to finish a little ahead of schedule thanks to the members’ level of expertise and multiple skills. In addition to supply issues, the 556th RHS encountered other delays as they had add-ons to the project. For many RED HORSE members, the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on the people of Guatemala and, more importantly, the youth made the mission worthwhile.
In 2011, New Horizons exercise mission is in Suriname, the 556th RHS work on the Nieuw Amsterdam clinic as a humanitarian project for the Southern Command.
UNIT PATCH
EMBLEM
556th RED HORSE Squadron emblem: On a disc Argent, a horseshoe Or, fimbriated and nailed three in dexter and three in sinister Azure, charged with a draft horse rampant Gules, nostril of the third, eye of the last, fimbriated of the first, bridled of the third, detailed of the second, collar of the third, fimbriated of the second emblazoned with wings of the last, two lightning bolts as reins of the third, piercing a ring, all within a narrow border Blue. Attached above the disc, a Whitescroll edged with a narrow Blue border and inscribed “IN PUGNA” in Blue letters. Attached below the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Blue border and inscribed “556 RHS” in Blue letters. SIGNIFICANCE: Ultramarine blue and Air Force yellow are the Air Force colors. Blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The horseshoe symbolizes the foundation upon which the Squadron stands and the six nails refer to the last digit of its numerical designation. The strong horse rearing and reined by lightning bolts represents the unit’s mission, mobility and speed of accomplishment. The collar with the wings signifies an Air Force support unit using heavy equipment. The emblem bears the national colors and the Air Force colors. (Approved, 16 Jan 2009)
LINEAGE
8 Feb 1966 – 556 Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) constituted, activated, and organized
1 Oct 1969 – Inactivated
24 Jan 2006 – Redesignated 556 RED HORSE Squadron
23 Feb 2006 – Activated
STATIONS
8 Feb 1966 – 1 Oct 1969 – U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Base, Thailand
23 Feb 2006 – Lackland AFB, TX
1 Oct 2006 – Hurlburt Field, FL
Someone please correct me if I’m wrong but I believe that at U-Tapao our major project was building the Revetments for the B52’s
Ray, https://usafunithistory.com/PDF/0500/556%20RED%20HORSE%20SQ.pdf is what the Air Force unit history site has on the 556th and doesn’t mention anything about revetments.
Randy