560th RED HORSE SQUADRON
MISSION
Nov 1966- the Air Force Civil Engineering Field Activities Center at Elgin AFB, FL needed a unit that was responsible for training replacement personnel destined for RED HORSE units in Southeast Asia.
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
In November 1966, the 560th Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) (CES (HR)) was constituted and activated at Eglin AFB, FL. The unit was responsible for training replacement personnel destined for RED HORSE units in Southeast Asia. The 560th CES (HR) was capable of field training 2,400 individuals each year to keep the six RED HORSE squadrons up to strength. The 560th CES(HR) continued this mission until inactivated in early 1970.
In 2008, Brig Gen Timothy A Byers reorganized engineer forces to support war fighter requirements. RED HORSE units were increased, and active-duty units were aligned with reserve component forces. The increase added an addition of 446 RED HORSE authorizations in the Air Force Reserve. The new authorizations were made available by converting Prime BEEF teams at Charleston AFB, SC and Seymour Johnson AFB, NC to RED HORSE squadrons and supplementing the units with reservists displaced through the Base Realignment and Closure of 2005 (BRAC). The new RED HORSE squadrons were the 567th at Seymour Johnson AFB and the 560th at Charleston AFB. All Reserve and Air National Guard units have approximately 200 personnel assigned.
On 6 Jan 2017, members from the 560th RED HORSE Squadron (RHS), along with joint mission partners and special guests, attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of a new readiness and training facility at Joint Base Charleston, SC. The new buildings provide dedicated areas for the unit’s offices, shops and storage.
OPERATIONS
In September 2012, the 560th RHS deployed nearly 100 Airmen on its first deployment as a unit to the Middle East and Central Asia. The unit deployed as part of the 557th Expeditionary RED HORSE Squadron and were responsible for heavy construction projects at various locations. The 560th RHS executed a critical $31 million construction program spanning the region. Projects included a tactical operation center, command and control infrastructure, strategic airlift ramp and fuel farm, emergency airfield repairs and several other facilities delivering mission and life-support functions across the U.S. Central Command area of operation. The majority of the projects were located in Afghanistan where the RED HORSE personnel moved over 100,000 tons of dirt, maintained over and distributed over $20 million worth of materials, and performed many maintenance actions on Air Force Central Command’s largest single-unit fleet worth $85.2 million.
In April 2017, the 560th RHS deployed nearly 90 Airman for eight months to the Middle East. While deployed to various locations through the Middle East they provided heavy construction within the region including building and repairing runways, buildings and other base infrastructure.
UNIT PATCH
EMBLEM
On a disc Or, in base a demi-globe Azure, gridlined Argent, charged with draft horse fampant Gules, eyed of the third, detailed, bridled, and collared Sable, collar and bridle details of the third, reins as lightning bolts piercing a ring on the collar of the fifth; in chief a lamp of knowledge Argent, detailed Azure, flamed Proper, all within a narrow border Blue. Below the disc, a White scroll edged with a narrow Blue border and inscribed “560TH RED HORSE SQUADRON” 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 horse is the symbol for all Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer units. The horse is depicted in a raised stance representing a quick reacting, aggressive and powerful force, readily called whenever and wherever needed. The thunderbolts emanating as reins on the horse depict the guidance system of the overarching Air Force missions which direct the employment of the RED HORSE weapon system. The banner adorning the horse’s forefront represents the sincere heart and purity of honor as the RED HORSE leads the way to create a safer projection platform for other battle ready airmen. The globe represents the entire earth as a battleground. The lamp of knowledge symbolizes both the historical combat skills training mission of the unit during the Viet Nam conflict and the current Air Force Reserve Command mission to organize, train and equip battle ready airmen with RED HORSE heavy civil engineering capabilities. (Approved, 10 Sep 2009).
LINEAGE
28 Oct 1966 – 560th Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair), constituted and activated
15 Nov 1966 – Organized
15 Oct 1969 – Redesignated 560th Civil Engineering Squadron, Heavy Repair
31 Mar 1970 – Inactivated
6 Oct 2008 – Redesignated 560th RED HORSE Squadron
1 Nov 2008 – Activated
STATIONS
15 Nov 1966 – 31 Mar 1970 – Eglin AFB, Aux Airfield 2, FL
1 Nov 2008 – Charleston AFB, SC
ASSIGNMENTS
28 Oct 1966 – Tactical Air Command
7 Dec 1967 – 31 Mar 1970 – USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center
1 Nov 2008 – 610th Regional Support Group
1 Oct 2012 – 622th Civil Engineer Group