The 930th performed routine reserve airlift operations until 13 May 1968 when the group was activated for combat duty in the Vietnam War. The 71st Tactical Airlift Squadron's C-119 aircraft were selected for modification to the Fairchild AC-119G Shadow gunship configuration with powerful searchlights and rapid-fire machine guns. The 71st Squadron was reassigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing and moved to Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio on 1 June for training, and later deployed to Nha Trang Air Base.
