1 - The Black Vault

PRAETORIAN STARSHIP
Talons returned to home station, and the MH-
53Js resumed their SAR alert at Brindisi. 17
From 3 to 15 November, elements of all three
352d SOG-assigned squadrons deployed to San
Javier AB, Spain, for Exercise Popex 96. This
marked the first time that all three squadrons
had deployed together since Exercise Noble Rose
in 1994. The exercise consisted of supporting
Spanish special forces utilizing a variety of insertion
methods for personnel, cargo, and equipment,
and both day and night tactical scenarios. At the
peak of the exercise, 128 members from the group
deployed to Spain, and assets included three 7th
SOS CT IIs, one 67th SOS MC-130P, and two 21st
SOS MH-53Js. A major glitch occurred when deploying
airlift was redirected to support a realworld
contingency operation. This caused the loss
of a number of exercise events because of the lack
of spare parts and equipment to repair the deployed
aircraft. High winds and marginal weather
also impacted several days of training. Overall,
however, the exercise was a success, with deployed
crews, maintenance personnel, and support
personnel alike gaining valuable experience
working together as a team. 18
In November the situation in Central Africa,
which resulted from the 1994 Hutu and Tutsi civil
war, again intensified. On 5 November, while Exercise
Popex was getting under way in Spain,
news of a mass exodus of refugees from Zaire to
Rwanda reached USEUCOM. Planning began for
a humanitarian aid mission, named Operation
Guardian Assistance , that would help deliver food
and supplies to the affected refugees. It was not
until 13 November, after the employment of a
USEUCOM survey team, that a statement of requirement
emerged. Initial requirements included
352d SOG MH-53Js, MC-130Ps, and two 16th
SOW-assigned AC-130Hs. The 7th SOS was not
included in the initial tasking. On 29 November
one AC-130U gunship deployed to Entebbe,
Uganda, to provide reconnaissance support for
the operation. Because of limited billeting, rations,
and support at Entebbe, the 7th SOS received
tasking to airlift needed supplies there. On
29 November the squadron deployed one MC-
130H from RAF Mildenhall. After an overnight
stop at Brindisi, the Talon II continued on to Entebbe
on 30 November. The crew delivered a full
load of supplies and remained at Entebbe until 2
December, when it was released and returned to
Brindisi. 19
The AC-130U flew reconnaissance missions
during the early part of December and collected
enough data to convince EUCOM and national
leaders that the majority of the refugees had returned
to Rwanda of their own free will. The
number of refugees proved to be much lower than
initially projected. Consequently, international relief
agencies determined that Rwanda had the ca -
pacity, and the will, to take care of the refugees.
On 11 December EUCOM issued a redeployment
order, and on 14 December the AC-130U returned
to Brindisi. Remaining units of the 352d SOG
were relieved of tasking, and Operation Guardian
Assistance was terminated. 20 The mission to Central
Africa marked the last significant event for
the 7th SOS for 1996.
Fulton STARS Operations Terminated
The year 1996 began at Hurlburt Field with a
change-of-command ceremony for the 8th SOS.
Colonel Moore assumed command of the squadron
from Poole on 5 January 1996. Four months
later on 24 May 1996, Colonel Glausier assumed
command of the 15th SOS from Ron Lovett. 21
Both new commanders had grown up in Combat
Talons, having served previous tours with the
USAF Photo
The Skyanchor is removed from the nose section as the
STARS is officially retired from the Air Force.
424