Lineage. Designated as Maintenance Squadron, 56 Maintenance and Supply Group, on 28 July 1947. Organized on 15 Aug 1947. Discontinued on 1 Aug 1948. Consolidated (22 Oct 1984) with both the 56 Maintenance Squadron, Fighter, Jet, (which was constituted on 14 Jun 1948; activated 1 Aug 1948; redesignated as 56 Maintenance Squadron on 20 Jan 1950; inactivated 6 Feb 1952; redesignated as 56 Field Maintenance Squadron, and activated, on 16 Mar 1967; organized on 8 Apr 1967; inactivated on 15 Jul 1974; activated on 30 Jun 1975; redesignated as 56 Equipment Maintenance Squadron on 15 Jun 1977; and the 56 Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron ( which was constituted on 17 Jun 1957; activated on 8 Sep 1957; discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 Jan 1964; activated on 15 July 1974; inactivated on 30 Jun 1975). Redesignated as 56 Maintenance Squadron on 1 Nov 1991. Inactivated on 4 Jan 1994. Redesignated as 56 Equipment Maintenance Squadron on 21 Mar 1994. Activated on 1 Apr 1994.
Assignments. 56 Maintenance and Supply Group, 15 Aug 1947-1 Aug 1948. 56 Maintenance and Supply Group, 1 Aug 1948-6 Feb 1952. 56 Fighter Group, 8 Sep 1957; 56 Fighter Wing, 1 Feb 1961-1 Jan 1964. 56 Air Commando (later, 56 Special Operations) Wing, 8 Apr 1967-15 Jul 1974. 56 Special Operations Wing, 15 Jul 1974-30 Jun 1975. 56 Tactical Fighter (later, 56 Tactical Training; 56 Fighter) Wing, 30 Jun 1975; 56 Logistics Group, 1 Nov 1991-4 Jan 1994. 56 Logistics (later, 56 Maintenance) Group, 1 Apr 1994-.
Stations. Selfridge Field (later, AFB), MI, 15 Aug 1947-6 Feb 1952. O’Hare International Airport, IL, 8 Sep 1957; K.I. Sawyer AFB, MI, 1 Oct 1959-1 Jan 1964. Nakhon Phanon RTAFB, Thailand, 8 Apr 1967-30 Jun 1975; MacDill AFB, FL, 30 Jun 1975-4 Jan 1994. Luke AFB, AZ, 1 Apr 1994-.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. Vietnam: Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III; Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV; TET 69/Counteroffensive; Vietnam Summer-Fall, 1969; Vietnam Winter-Spring, 1969-1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; Southwest Monsoon; Commando Hunt V; Commando Hunt VI; Commando Hunt VII; Vietnam Ceasefire.
Armed Force Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia): 1 Nov 1968-1 May 1969; 1 Oct 1969-30 Apr 1970; 1 Apr 1972-22 Feb 1973. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with “V” Device: 1 Dec 1970-30 Nov 1971; 1 Dec 1971-29 Feb 1972; 23 Feb 1973-28 Feb 1974; 24 Jan-2 May 1975. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1977-1 Jan1979; 1 Jul 1980-30 Jun 1982 1 Jun 1984-31 May 1986; 1 May 1987-30 Apr 1989; 1 May 1989-30 Apr 1990; 1 May 1990-30 Apr 1991;1 Jul 1994-30 Jun 1996; 1 Jul 1996-30 Jun 1998; 1 Jul 1998-30 Jun 2000;1 Jul 2001-30 Jun 2003; 1 Jul 2003-30 Jun 2005; 1 Jul 2005-30 Jun 2006; 1 Jul 2006-30 Jun 2007; 1 Jul 2007-30 Jun 2008; 1 Jul 2008-30 Jun 2009;1 Jul 2009-30 Jun 2010; 1 Jul 2010-30 Jun 2011; 1 Jul 2011-30 Jun 2012; 1 Jul 2012-30 Jun 2013; 1 Jul 2013-30 Jun 2014; 1 Jul 2014-30 Jun 2015; 1 Jul 1015-30 Jun 2016. Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm: 8 Apr 1967-28 Jan 1973.
Emblem. Approved on 27 Oct 1977; latest rendering, 15 May 2019.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 18 Sep 2017.
Supersedes statement prepared on 9 Dec 1996.
Prepared by Carl E. Bailey