550th Special Operations Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 550th Special Operations Squadron


caption= 550th Special Operations Squadron Patch
dates= 1 April 1971 - Present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Special Operations Training
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Education and Training Command
19th Air Force
58th Special Operations Wing
58th Operations Group
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The 550th Special Operations Squadron (550 SOS) is part of the 58th Special Operations Wing at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. It operates HC-130 King Bird and Lockheed MC-130 conducting special operations flying training.

Mission

To provide United States Special Operations Command and theater commanders the finest special operations and combat search and rescue forces in the world. [ [http://www.aetc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6190 550th SOS Fact Sheet] ]

History

The 1550th developed, conducted, and monitored helicopter flying training from, 1971–1987, in addition to search and rescue missions from, 1976–1987. It has conducted special operations training since 1987. [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0550sos.html AFHRA 550 SOS Page] ]

Lineage [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0550sos.html AFHRA 550 SOS Page] ]

*1550th Flying Training Squadron (1971 - 1991)
*550th Flying Training Squadron (1991 - 1994)
*550th Special Operations Squadron (1994 - Present)

Assignments [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0550sos.html AFHRA 550 SOS Page] ]

*1550th Combat Crew Training) Wing (1971 - 1991)
*542d Flying Training Wing (1991 - 1994)
*58th Special Operations Wing (1994 - Present)

Bases stationed [ [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0550sos.html AFHRA 550 SOS Page] ]

*Hill Air Force Base, Utah (1971 - 1976)
*Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico (1976 - Present)

=Aircraft Operated [ [http://www.aetc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6190 550th SOS Fact Sheet] ] =

*TH-1 (1971 - 1987)
*UH-1 Iroquois (1971 - 1987)
*HH-43 Huskie (1973 - 1975)
*HC-130 King Bird (1987 - Present)
*MC-130H Combat Talon II ( - Present)
*MC-130P Combat Shadow ( - Present)

References

Notes

Bibliography

* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0550sos.html USAF 550th Special Operations Squadron History]
* [http://www.aetc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6190 550th Special Operations Squadron Fact Sheet]

ee also