819 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 12 January 1966, the unit was organized and designated the 819th Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) (CES(HR)) and activated at Forbes AFB, KS. In March 1966 the unit was first deployed to Ban Sattahip Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, then in April 1966 redeployed to Phu Cat AB, South Vietnam.
In April 1970, the 819th Civil Engineering Squadron, Heavy Repair redeployed from Vietnam and was stationed at Westover AFB, MA until 1973 when it moved to McConnell AFB, KS. In 1979, it was realigned from Tactical Air Command (TAC) to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) and was assigned to Royal Air Force Wethersfield, United Kingdom. The unit was tasked with rapid runway repair responsibilities for USAFE, along with its traditional heavy repair role.
On 31 August 1990, the 819th RED HORSE Civil Engineering Squadron was inactivated at RAF Wethersfield, United Kingdom.
Seven years later, on 1 June 1997, the 819th RED HORSE Squadron (RHS) was reactivated under Air Combat Command (ACC) at Malmstrom AFB, MT as the first-ever Air Force – Air National Guard RED HORSE unit. The 819th RHS is the first “associate” RED HORSE squadron in the Air Force, approximately two thirds active-duty and one-third Air National Guard. That same year the 219th RED HORSE Flight (RHF) was activated as an Air National Guard associate unit with the 819th RHS. The 219th RHF provides one-third of the manpower and equipment of the 404-person combined squadron.
In the fall of 2001, the 819th RHS took the lead in establishing an Airborne RED HORSE capability. After training with the Army at Fort Bragg, NC and working with AFCESA to establish MARES (mobile airfield repair equipment set), in February 2003 the first Airborne RED HORSE team stood up in Southwest Asia, led by the 819th RHS.
In 2014, a reorganization of the Air Force RED HORSE program ended the affiliation of the active-duty units with the Guard and Reserve units.
OPERATIONS
In May 1966, the 819th Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) deployed to Phu Cat AB, South Vietnam. It eventually completed much of the facility construction and a large percentage of the earth moving and paving required at Phu Cat. The unit placed more than 2 million square feet of AM-2 matting and erected more than 5,000 linear feet of aircraft revetment.
In November 1998, the 819th RHS had its first full-fledged mission after reaching full manning when it deployed with members of the 820th RED HORSE Squadron (RHS) to Central America to perform essential infrastructure repair in the wake of Hurricane Mitch. The squadron was also involved in construction projects in Southwest Asia, including a major runway project at Masirah Island, Oman.
In 2001, the 819th RHS deployed on a troop training project to Sheppard AFB to construct a new fire station at the end of the runway. The new $270,000 project took 65 days to complete.
In 2002-2003, the 819th RHS deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and completed major construction projects at several bases in Iraq.
In September 2006, the 819th RHS received a request for forces from Joint Task Force North. Since 1989, task Force North has assisted the US Border Patrol with improving its tactical infrastructure. Their primary mission included constructing three-quarters of a mile of improved gravel road, installing concrete low-water crossings and vehicle barriers at four locations, and installing one half mile of security lighting. Over the course of the 40 days, the crews emplaced nearly $700K in materials along the southern border and completed the mission under budget and ahead of schedule. They also took on nearly a dozen additional projects to assist the Border Patrol with their maintenance schedule, saving them thousands of dollars in the process.
In 2022, the 819th RHS took on a troop training project to construct a new 4,000 square-foot dining facility in Jacks Valley for cadets at the US Air Force Academy, CO. The facility operates year-round, contains a state-of-the-art kitchen, consolidated food storage and seats 200. Some of the kitchen equipment from the old facility was used in the new facility, along with upgraded refrigerators, sinks, griddles and fryers. The facility replaces the dining facility built in the Academy’s Field Expeditionary Readiness Laboratory 1997.
UNIT PATCH
EMBLEM
The emblem is symbolic of the squadron with the gold and deep blue background representing the excellence required of Air Force personnel and the sky the primary theater of Air Force operations. The strong red horse rearing and reined by lightning bolts refers to the squadron’s mission, mobility, and speed in accomplishment. The collar charged with the wings signifies an Air Force support unit using heavy equipment. The airstrips bordering the rice paddies allude to the squadron’s overseas assignment. The emblem bears the National colors and the Air Force colors of gold and ultramarine blue.
LINEAGE
12 Jan 1966 – Designated 819th Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair)
8 Mar 1966 – Organized
15 Oct 1969 – Redesignated 819th Civil Engineering Squadron, Heavy Repair
1 Mar 1989 – Redesignated 819th RED HORSE Civil Engineering Squadron
31 Aug 1990 – Inactivated
1 Jun 1997 – Redesignated 819 RED HORSE Squadron
2 Jun 1997 – Activated
STATIONS
12 Jan 1966 – Forbes AFB, KS
8 Mar 1966 – Ban Sattahip RTAFB, Thailand
10 May 1966 – Phu Cat AB, South Vietnam
15 Apr 1970 – Westover AFB, MA
15 Sep 1973 – McConnell AFB, KS
8 Apr 1979 – Wethersfield RAF, United Kingdom
2 Jun 1997 – Malmstrom AFB, MT