2951 CLSS

Activated 1 Dec 1967
Deactivated 1 Oct 1992
Re-designated 652d 1 Oct 1992

The 2951st Combat Logistics Support Squadron was activated on 1 December 1967, with about 250 officers and enlisted members under the command of Major Harvey Barbee, Jr., as one of five active duty CLSS's created at the Sacramento, Ogden, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, and Warner Robins Air Materiel Areas. Each CLSS's patch indicates it's unit number by the stars above the horses head: The single star signify 295'1'. The 2952 would have 2 stars and etc. The creation of the squadron was a result of a directive from Headquarters, USAF to AFLC, to increase the military capabilities of its rapid area maintenance (RAM) and rapid area supply support (RASS) teams when they operated in combat areas or under combat conditions.

These teams were formed in 1965, in response to increased demands placed on base supply personnel and civilian aircraft repair contractors working in Southeast Asia (SEA), who were experiencing logistical backlogs due to the demands of the SEA conflict.

Following the end of SEA operations, the squadron's role became that of the Air Force's organic depot logistics support organization. Under the direction of General Poe, AFLC commander, the squadrons? mission was reoriented to that of aircraft battle damage repair (ABDR) and combat packaging and supply. The goal was to have the squadrons become what General Poe envisioned as 'the green berets of AFLC,' mobile units able to deploy on short notice to provide the support needed to sustain the fighting power of combat aircraft.

In August 1990 the squadron was put to the test with the onset of Operation DESERT SHIELD. As the situation evolved into Operation DESERT STORM, over 150 maintenance, supply, and transportation personnel were deployed to the Middle East, to sustain the war-fighting effort. The 2951st was the only CLSS tasked with actual ABDR in a combat environment, repairing A-10 aircraft and returning all but 2 damaged aircraft to combat as detailed on this website. The A-10 ABDR team also worked on an F-16 and F-4 as found in the photo gallery.

In addition to aircraft maintenance and ABDR support, the unit contributed immeasurably to the Air Force mission through the accomplishments of its rapid area distribution support (RADS) teams. These teams were available to deploy on a moment's notice, to any location worldwide, to provide specialized supply and transportation support, including in-transit visibility.

In 1990, RADS teams assisted with the first BRAC base closure, Pease AFB NH. In 1991 they deployed close to Clark AB, Angeles City Philippines during Operation FIERY VIGIL. In 1994 after the devastation of Hurricane Andrew, a RADS team recovered Air Force assets at Homestead AFB FL. In Tirana, Albania, RADS teams responded to establish supply and transportation functions, where none had existed before. RADS teams supported drug interdiction in Columbia, and set the precedence for logistics support during Air Expeditionary Force III and IV, in Doha, Qatar. At numerous other locations, RADS teams were instrumental in re-configuring supply systems to respond to changing mission needs with minimal disruption to the supported units.

2951st Deactivates Oct 1, 1992

On 1 October 1992 we officially “Buried” our Trademark blue fatigues bringing to an end an historic symbol of the 2951st CLSS. The 2951st was deactivated that day and immediately reactivated as the 652 CLSS, all the 4 digit CLSS units re-designated with 3 digits.

We celebrated the event with a banquet and a burial, which was superb! We buried a coffin shaped Time Capsule for, well, for who knows who to find someday. Col Callahan is seen with the shovel throwing the first mounds of dirt on the coffin.

652 CLSS

Activated 1 Oct 1992
Deactivated 13 Jul 2001

The 2951 CLSS was re-designated as the 652 CLSS on 1 October 1992, following the reorganization of AFLC as the Air Force Materiel Command. The squadron got another chance to show its expertise when it was called upon to support Operation ALLIED FORCE, April-June 1999. Two ABDR teams were sent to forward operating locations in Italy in response to anticipated combat maintenance requirements and were eventually tasked with repairing three battle-damaged A-10A aircraft. One ABDR team redeployed into Skopje, Macedonia, to recover one of the A-10s; despite suffering extensive damage, this aircraft was returned to flyable condition in only 2 weeks.