| Unit Name: | 318th Special Operations Squadron |
| Dates: | 1944–1946; 1971–1974; 2007–present |
| Role: | Special Operations |
| Command Structure: | Air Force Special Operations Command |
| Garrison: | Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico |
| Battles: | Southwest Pacific Theater[1] |
| Decorations: | Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 318th Special Operations Squadron emblem (approved 10 July 2008) |
The 318th Special Operations Squadron flies the Pilatus PC-12 and is currently stationed at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 318th is under the command of the Air Force Special Operations Command. Crews plan, prepare, and execute nonstandard aviation missions in support of joint special operations forces while directly supporting theater special operations commanders by conducting night vision infiltration, exfiltration, resupply and other combat taskings on unimproved runways.[2]
The squadron was activated on 1 May 1944 as the 318th Troop Carrier Squadron (Commando) at Camp Mackall, North Carolina and serving under the 3d Air Commando Group. The unit participated in the Southwest Pacific Theater, flying the Waco CG-4 glider and C-47 Skytrain transport. The squadron was inactivated 25 March 1946.
Reactivated on 15 November 1971 at Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, the unit was stood up as the 318th Special Operations Squadron, serving under 1st Special Operations Wing. The unit's mission was to provide unconventional warfare support in Vietnam with the Lockheed C-130 Hercules until inactivation on 1 June 1974.
The unit was most recently reactivated on 16 May 2008. The unit replace a detachment that had operated the Pilatus PC-12 since 27 July 2007, first at Hurlburt Field, Florida as 1st Special Operations Group, Detachment 4, then after 30 December 2007 at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico as 27th Special Operations Group, Detachment 2.[2]
Inactivated on 25 March 1946
Activated on 15 November 1971
Inactivated on 1 June 1974
Activated on 2 May 2008[1]