20th Special Operations Squadron Patch
Pilots and Crew! Enjoy this beautifully embroidered 20th Special Operations Squadron Patch. You'll love the quality of the patch. Wear it proudly.
4 inches
Embroidered/ Sew On
US Veteran-Owned Business

HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- An MH-53 Pave Low from the 20th Special Operations Squadron, flies over the Gulf of Mexico near Hurlburt Field, Fla., Aug. 20. The MH-53 Pave Low medium-lift helicopter is the largest, most powerful and technologically advanced helicopter in the Air Force inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Senior Airman Julianne Showalter)

The 20th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron trained for aerial reconnaissance from March 1942 to December 1943, then went on to fly combat missions in the China-Burma-India Theater from 31 January 1944 to 5 May 1945.[1]
Light transportation
The 20th Helicopter Squadron was activated in 1956 to perform traditional helicopter missions with Piasecki H-21 Workhorses for the Tactical Air Command. It was inactivated in 1960.
Vietnam War
In 1965, the unit's Sikorsky CH-3 helicopters were transferred to Southeast Asia and the squadron began participating in unconventional warfare and special operations in Laos and North Vietnam as Operation Pony Express.
In 1967, the 20th was joined by the Bell UH-1 Huey helicopters formerly assigned to Project Lucky Tiger and the Hueys became known as the Green Hornets. The "Green Hornets" supported Special Operations in South Vietnam and Cambodia. In August 1969 the Pony Express CH-3E's were transferred to the 21st Special Operations Squadron at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, and the Pony Express ceased to exist. The heritage of the 20th was carried on by the 20th UH-1's Green Hornets.
Aircraft and crew losses
31 March 1967, MAJ Robert L Baldwin, piloting UH-1F Tail No 65-07932 was shot and killed in Laos.[5]
26 November 1968, CAPT James P. Fleming earned