583rd 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
The 583rd RED HORSE Squadron (RHS) was constituted 13 July 2013 at Beale AFB, CA the first RHS to be located on the west coast. The squadron’s forthcoming standup followed the mid-January re-designation of Beale’s 940th Civil Engineer Squadron (CES) as the 940th Civil Engineer Flight. The 940th CES was downsized by about 100 positions, with those positions being assigned to the new 583rd RHS. The 583rd RHS was an active associate unit with the 9th CES.
Beale AFB was selected as the home for the new RHS after a multi-year selection process led by Air Force Reserve Command. There were many factors influencing this decision, to include the amount of available land to build new facilities, the local economy’s ability to support the squadron’s requirements for materials, and the ability to fulfill recruiting needs with skilled tradesman from Northern California.
In 2015, the 583rd was inactivated. This action was taken by the Air Force Reserve Command using a strategic planning process to make tough choices in support of higher priority Air Force requirements. The 583 RHS had various civil engineering, logistics, security forces, support, and medical team personnel, who were relocated to other units around the local area and across the US.
OPERATIONS
Major Rudolph Bartley, Commander, of the 583rd RED HORSE Squadron said at the 583rd RHS’s official inactivation ceremony, “That in its brief existence the 583rd RHS revitalized a dam and water source for the Cahluila Indian Tribes near Santa Rosa, participated in Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resolve in Southwest Asia and Beyond the Horizon in Central America.“
LINEAGE
13 Jul 2013 – 583rd RED HORSE Squadron – Activated
25 Sep 2015 – Inactivated
STATIONS
13 Jul 2013 – Beale AFB, CA
ASSIGNMENTS
13 Jul 2013 – Air Force Reserve Command’s 22nd Air Force