was redesignated as the 315th Tactical Airlift Wing on 1 January 1970 and was inactivated on 31 March 1972. Counter-insurgency aircraft In 1971 the 315th TAW expanded its mission with the control of the interdiction and the psychological warfare and visual reconnaissance operations of the following counter-insurgency squadrons: 8th Special Operations Squadron: 31 July 1971 – 15 January 1972 (A-37B Dragonfly Tail Code: CG) 9th Special Operations Squadron: 30 September 1971 – 29 February 1972 (O-2 Skymaster) On 15 January 1972, the 8th Special Operations Squadron was reassigned to Bien Hoa AB as part of the USAF drawdown at Phan Rang. The 9th SOS was inactivated on 29 February 1972. 14th Special Operations Wing The 14th Special Operations Wing operated from Phan Rang from 15 October 1969, transferring operational squadrons from Nha Trang Air Base and became a tenant unit supported by the 35th Combat Support Group. The 14th SOW's operations included close and direct air support, interdiction, unconventional warfare, counter-insurgency operations, psychological warfare (including leaflet dropping and aerial broadcasting) and flare drops. Squadrons assigned were: 4th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 15 December 1969 (AC-47D Spooky) 9th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 30 September 1971 (C-47) 15th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 31 October 1970 (C-130E Combat Talon) 17th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 30 September 1971 (AC-119G Shadow) 18th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 25 August 1971 (AC-119K Stinger) 20th Special Operations Squadron: 15 October 1969 – 1 September 1971 (UH-1P) 90th Special Operations Squadron: 31 October 1970 – 1 September 1971 (AC-123K) 604th Special Operations Squadron (detached): 15 October 1969 - I March 1970 (A-37A) Flying from Phan Rang sorties were flown over target areas consisting of the Mekong Delta and the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The aerial gunships destroyed trucks, attacked enemy encampments, ammunition dumps and other ground targets using night vision equipment. It also trained RVNAF personnel in AC-119 operations and maintenance, from February to June 1971. The first crews graduated in April 1971 and with AC-119s transferred to the RVNAF formed the 819th Combat Squadron. USAF withdrawal The 35th TFW was inactivated on 31 July 1971 as part of the general drawdown of United States forces in South Vietnam with the wing's remaining resources passing to the 315th Tactical Airlift Wing. The 352d TFS and the 615th TFS were inactivated in place along with