 Continuing its mission and training with the active duty 1st Air Commando Group in northern Florida, in 1968 HQ USAF directed all Air Commando organizations be re-designated as "Special Operations" units to be more descriptive of their mission.Through the 1960s and into the 1970s the 130th participated in many international missions and received recognition for its performance.This included the 130th being awarded the Spaatz Trophy four times as the "Outstanding Flying Unit in the Country " and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award five times.