51st Operations Support Squadron

The 51st Operations Support Squadron is one of three squadrons assigned to the 51st Operations Group under the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea (ROK).  It is the most forward-deployed, permanently assigned operations squadron supporting operational flying units and is responsible for training, flight operations, intelligence, operational plans, airfield management, weather forecasting, and air traffic control support to two fighter squadrons, an air mobility squadron, and a tenant reconnaissance squadron.

 

The “Wyverns” of the 51 OSS train hard to defend the ROK and support the wing’s motto of “Fight Tonight!”  The Wyverns motto is “Breathin’ Fire."

 

51 OSS Flight Information

 

Intelligence Flight (IN)

The Intel flight provides intelligence to support 51 FW involvement in all armistice, contingency, and exercise operations on the Korean Peninsula and in regional exercises.  IN support is accomplished through current intelligence analysis, targeting, weapons and tactics training, AT/FP, mission briefings, debriefings, and deployment briefings for all 51 FW operational squadrons.

 

Airfield Operations Flight (OSA)

The Airfield Operations is responsible for all airfield management, air traffic control and air traffic control and landing systems activities in direct support of the 51 FW mission and the Korean Armistice Agreement.  It oversees flight operations from a radar approach control and control tower facility and is responsible for the management and oversight of an airfield that includes two runways, a parallel taxiway, and several ramps that make up a 1,100 acre airfield.  OSA provides 24-hour service to PACAF, AMC, ROKAF, and joint service aircraft seven days per week.  Additionally, it provides maintenance support for 14 weather, airfield and radar systems located at 5 locations across the peninsula. 

 

Weapons and Tactics Flight (OSK)

Wing weapons and tactics provides tactical mission training and planning expertise to maintain combat readiness during armistice and to lethally execute contingency taskings.  OSK accomplishes contingency taskings by manning a Combat Planning Branch during expeditionary air operations.  During armistice operations, OSK support readiness by overseeing training syllabus and execution standards, and providing instructional guidance through pillars of instruction.  Additionally, OSK manages and forecasts munitions requirements, organizes and conducts composite force training and guides ROK’s coalition airpower employment.

 

Aircrew Flight Equipment Flight (OSL)

Aircrew Flight Equipment is responsible for the inspection, maintenance, fitting and repair of A-10 and F-16 flight equipment used by all pilots assigned to the 51 FW.  This includes aircrew chemical defense equipment, night vision goggles, F-16 Joint Helmeted Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS), A-10 Helmet Mounted Cueing System, Oxygen masks, survival vests and anti-gravity garments.  Additionally, the flight manages aircraft-installed equipment such as the Advanced Concept Ejection Seat (ACES) II survival kit and personnel recovery parachutes.  Lastly, the OSL flight is responsible for the continuation training programs for all flight equipment assets. 

 

Current Operations Flight (OSO)

Current Ops executes PACAF's largest fighter flying hour program, manages F-16 and A-10 training requirements ensuring accountability and compliance of regulations.  They coordinate 51 FW airspace, range usage, tanker support, close air support requests, and quiet hours.  Current Ops also trains pilots on survival, evasion, resistance, and escape (SERE) and develops personnel recovery plans for contingency operations.  Finally, OSO runs two F-16 and two A-10 simulator devices and their associated training programs.

Weather Flight (OSW)

This Weather Flight provides flight and area weather forecasts for over 10,000 F-16, A-10, U-2 and transient sorties per year and issues resource protection alerts for $3.4B worth of combat-ready assets and 7,200 base personnel.  OSW manages $462,000 of fixed and deployable meteorological  equipment and maintains an expeditionary armistice posture.

 

History

The 51st Operations Squadron lineage goes back to 1943. It was first constituted as the 51st Airdrome Squadron on 25 Jan 1943 and activated on 1 Feb 1943. It was redesignated as the 51st Airdrome Squadron (Special) on 16 Apr 1943. On 1 Apr 1944, it was disbanded.  In that short time, the squadron was assigned to Second Air Force and was stationed at Fairmont AAB, NE and Walla Walla AAB, WA.

 

The squadron was reconstituted and redesignated as the 51 Operations Support Squadron on 1 Feb 1992 and activated on 7 Feb 1992 at Osan AB, South Korea.  Airmen assigned to the 51st Operations Support Squadron have provided the 51st Fighter Wing with outstanding airfield support since 1992.

 

Breathin' Fire Patch

 Patch Significance

Blue and 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 wyvern represents the protection against enemies in the main theater of operations, the skies of the Far East.  The lightning bolt symbolizes expediency of the unit while doing its job.  The arrows represent joint operations between the Unites States of America and the Republic of Korea.

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