551 Special Operations Squadron

Lineage. Designated 1551st Flying Training Squadron, and activated, on 1 Apr 1971. Redesignated: 551st Flying Training Squadron on 1 Oct 1991; 551st Special Operations Squadron on 1 Apr 1994.

Assignments. 1550th Aircrew Training and Test (later, 1550th Combat Crew Training) Wing, 1 Apr 1971; 542d Operations Group, 1 Oct 1991; 58th Operations Group, 1 Apr 1994-.

Stations. Hill AFB, UT, 1 Apr 1971; Kirtland AFB, NM, 15 Mar 1976-.

Aircraft. H-3, 1971-1992; H-43, 1971-1975; H-53, 1971-1987; HC-130, 1973-1987; UH-1, 1987-; H-60, 1990-.

Operations. Conducted flying training in helicopters, and responsible for special operations contingencies and humanitarian rescue missions, 1971-present.

Service Streamers. None.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Apr 1974-31 May 1976; 1 Apr 1976-31 Mar 1978; 1 Jul 1985-30 Jun 1987; 1 Jul 1987-30 Jan 1989.

Emblem. Per pale Sable and Or an owl descending per pale Azure and proper eyed Gules below in dexter chief five mullets of four points three diminished bendwise two bendwise sinister Argent and in sinister chief a zia sun of the fourth, all within a diminished bordure Brown. MOTTO: THE BEST TEACH THE BEST. Approved on 9 Oct 1992 (DFSC 94-01125); replaced emblem approved on 9 Oct 1986 (DFSC 87-01387).