823rd RED HORSE Squadron

823 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
During Vietnam, the 823rd Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair) (CES(HR)) was activated on 6 April 1966 and organized on 15 May 1966.  When the 823rd CES(HR) arrived at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam, it reorganized itself into four self-sufficient units to complete urgently needed construction.  By January 1967, the 823rd CES(HR) deployed units were in place at Tan Son Nhut, Vung Tau, Da Nang, and Pleiku, while the unit headquarters remained at Bien Hoa.

On 15 May 1971, the 823rd Civil Engineer Squadron, Heavy Repair (CES, HR) was inactivated, then was reactivated at Eglin AFB, FL, on 1 June 1972, incorporating elements of the 557th CES, HR, which was inactivated at Eglin the same day.  The 823rd CES, HR operates out of Hurlburt Field (previously Eglin Auxiliary Field #9).

CONUS RED HORSE Squadrons added an Airborne RED HORSE team in 2003.  In 2012, the airborne teams were combined at Nellis AFB, NV to better obtain the needed certifications.  The different patches are based on training received as airborne or air insertion.

Until the organization of the 801st RED HORSE Training Squadron on 21 November 2021 the 823rd RHS Detachment 1 operated the Silver Flag Exercise Site at Tyndall AFB, FL.  This unit Provides combat support training to more than 5,600 civil engineer troops from active, Guard, and Reserve Air Force units, plus the Army, Marine Corps, and allied nations.

OPERATIONS
In 1975, the 823rd CES HR members constructed a tent city at Eglin AFB, FL for 5,000 Vietnamese refugees.

In 1990-1991, the 823rd RED HORSE Civil Engineering Squadron (RHCES) deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield /Desert Storm/Desert Finale.  The 820th deployed their RH2 team, which fell under and augmented the 823rd RHS.  This combined unit deployed throughout the AOR, completing major infrastructure projects in support of the war effort during both Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  At the end of the hostilities, but before the peace accord was signed, the demo teams from both units forward deployed to southern Iraq and completed base denial operations on two Iraqi bases (Operation Desert Finale).  This was the first-ever modern-day operation of its kind.

In 1993, the 823rd RHCES deployed to Somalia in support of United Nations-sponsored Operation Restore Hope.  The team installed nearly 2.5 miles of revetment materials to protect Army Blackhawk and Cobra helicopters.

In 1995, the 823rd RED HORSE Squadron (RHS) deployed to Bosnia to bed down US Army troops supporting Operation Joint Endeavor.

In 1996, the 823rd RHS built tent cities at Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, to accommodate the move from Dhahran AB following the Khobar Towers bombing.

In 1999, the 823rd RHS personnel deployed to forward locations throughout Europe to support Operations Allied Force/Shining Hope.

In 2001-2002, the 823rd RHS completed major construction projects, including a $9.1M aircraft ramp, at Al Udeid AB, Qatar, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and deployed to Southwest Asia on a regular basis.

In 2003, the 823rd RHS deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The 823rd’s newly established Airborne RED HORSE team performed important explosive ordnance disposal work in southern Iraq and runway repair work at Baghdad International Airport during this deployment.

In July 2004, the 823rd RHS deployed more than three dozen members to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, for 180 days in support of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA).  They executed over $500K in humanitarian and contingency construction projects in Djibouti, Ethiopia, and Kenya, and performed valuable civil-military relations work.

In 2005, the 823rd RHS deployed again in support of (CJTF-HOA).  More than three dozen members of the 823rd RHS deployed to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, for 180 days.  They overcame lack of quality materials, fractured infrastructure, and geographically isolated project locations to execute over $500,000 in humanitarian and contingency construction projects across Djibouti, Ethiopia and Kenya.  The crew constructed a 45 foot concrete culvert bridge, nine low-water crossings (concrete fords), and repaired 35 km of gravel road damaged during floods in April 2004.  The road improvements will keep the road functional during and after flash floods.  Just as important, the people of Djibouti witnessed US forces improving their country’s infrastructure.

UNIT PATCH  

LINEAGE
6 Apr 1966 – Designated 823rd Civil Engineering Squadron (Heavy Repair), and activated
15 May 1966 – Organized
15 Oct 1969 – Redesignated 823rd Civil Engineering Squadron, Heavy Repair
15 Jul 1971 – Inactivated
1 Jun 1972 – Activated
10 Mar 1989 – Redesignated 823rd RED HORSE Civil Engineering Squadron
1 Mar 1994 – Redesignated 823rd RED HORSE Squadron

STATIONS
15 May 1966 – Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam
1 Jun 1971 – Eglin AF Auxiliary Field 2, FL
1 Jul 1972 – Eglin AF Auxiliary Field 9, FL