Lineage. Designated as1550 Flying Training Squadron, and activated, on 1 Apr 1971. Redesignated as: 550 Flying Training Squadron on 1 Oct 1991; 550 Special Operations Squadron on 1 Apr 1994.
Assignments. 1550 Aircrew Training and Test (later, 1550 Combat Crew Training) Wing, 1 Apr 1971; 542 Operations Group, 1 Oct 1991; 58 Operations Group, 1 Apr 1994-.
Stations. Hill AFB, UT, 1 Apr 1971; Kirtland AFB, NM, 15 Mar 1976-.
Commanders. Lt Col Richard F. Burdett, c. 1 Apr 1971; Lt Col R. R. Dreibelbis, by 31 Dec 1973; Lt Col Walter A. Malkiewicz, by 31 Dec 1975; Col Clarence C. Campbell, by Mar 1978; Lt Col Murle Wilson, 22 Jan 1981; Lt Col Robert E. Thomas, 1 Sep 1982; Lt Col Robert J. Pyeatt, 27 Mar 1984; Lt Col Louis E. Glass, 30 Jun 1986; Lt Col Philip E. Glenn, 30 Nov 1987; Lt Col Kenneth R. Brown, 23 Mar 1990; Lt Col William E. Osborne, 30 Oct 1992; Lt Col David W. Harris, 7 Nov 1994; Lt Col Douglas R. Lengenfelder, 22 Jul 1996; Lt Col David F. Ellis, 1 Jun 1998; Lt Col Brian H. Greenshields, 11 May 2000; Lt Col Dennis B. Pannell, 23 Jan 2002; Lt Col Jans R. Kasper, 25 Nov 2003; Lt Col David B. Mobley, 17 Nov 2005; Lt Col Michael D. Morelock, 10 Jul 2007; Lt Col David A. Harris, 28 May 2009-.
Aircraft. TH-1, 1971-1987; UH-1, 1971-1987; HH-43, 1973-1975; HC-130, 1987-1996; MC-130, 1992-.
Operations. Developed, conducted, and monitored helicopter flying training, 1971-1987, in addition to search and rescue missions, 1976-1987. Trained special operations and combat rescue aircrew members, 1987-.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Apr 1974-31 Mar 1976; 1 Apr 1976-31 Mar 1978; 1 Jul 1985-30 Jun 1987; 1 Jul 1987-30 Jan 1989; 1 Jan 1993-30 Jun 1994; 1 Jul 1994-31 Dec 1995; 1 Jul 1996-30 Jun 1998; 1 Jul 1998-30 Jun 2000; 1 Jul 2001-30 Jun 2002; 1 Jul 2002-30 Jun 2003; 1 Jul 2003-30 Jun 2004; 1 Jul 2004-30 Jun 2005; 1 Jul 2006-30 Jun 2007; 1 Jul 2007-30 Jun 2008.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 1 Sep 2009.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 31 Aug 2009.
Supersedes published information contained in: Judy G. Endicott (ed.), USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995 (Washington USGPO, 1999).
Emblem. Approved on 22 May 1984; modified on 25 Nov 1987.
Prepared by Patsy Robertson.
Reviewed by Daniel Haulman.