551st Special Operations Squadron

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 551st Special Operations Squadron


caption= Insignia of the 551st Special Operations Squadron.
dates= 1971 - 2007
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Air Force
type=
role=
size=
command_structure= Air Education and Training Command (AETC)
19th Air Force
58th Special Operations Wing
garrison= Kirtland AFB, NM
garrison_label= Garrison/HQ
nickname=
patron=
motto= The best teach the rest.
colors=
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equipment= MH-53J Pave Low III
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commander1= Lt. Colonel Todd R. Lancaster Fact Sheet: 551st Special Operations Squadron. Air Education and Training Command. Accessed: 4 November 2007. [http://www.aetc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6193] ]
commander1_label= Commander
commander2=
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notable_commanders=
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aircraft_fighter=
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The 551st Special Operations Squadron (551 SOS) is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is one of three training squadrons assigned to the 58th Special Operations Wing of the 19th Air Force and the Air Education and Training Command. The 551st has been based at Kirtland Air Force Base from 15 March 1976 until its deactivation on 10 May 2007."551st Special Operations Squadron [551st SOS] ." Globalsecurity.org. Accessed: 4 November 2007. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/usaf/551sos.htm] ] .

Lineage

* Designated 1551st Flying Training Squadron on 1 April 1971.
* Activated 1 April 1971.
* Redesignated 551st Flying Training Squadron on 1 October 1991.
* Redesignated 551st Special Operations Squadron on 1 April 1994.
* Deactivated on 10 May 2007.

Operations

The 551st was originally designated the 1551st Flying Training Squadron, and was assigned to the 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing, 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing. In 1994, it was redesignated the 551st Special Operations Squadron, and was reassigned to the 58th Special Operations Wing.

The 551st conducts helicopter training. It is also responsible for special operations contingencies, exercises, and humanitarian rescue missions. Up until recently, the Squadron conducted training on the Pave Low helicopter, but has since suspended these operations due to the looming retirement of the helicopter. S. Rupp. "Special operations squadron halts Pave Low student training." Kirtland Air Force Base. Accessed: 4 November 2007. [http://www.kirtland.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123046194] ] When all students, staff, and helicopters leave Kirtland, the 551st will be deactivated. S. Rupp. "Special operations squadron halts Pave Low student training." Kirtland Air Force Base. Accessed: 4 November 2007. [http://www.kirtland.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123046194] ]

tations, Assignments, & Aircraft

Decorations

Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

* 1 April 1974 - 31 May 1976
* 1 April 1976 - 31 March 1978
* 1 July 1985 - 30 June 1987
* 1 July 1987 - 30 June 1989
* 1 January 1993 - 30 June 1994
* 1 July 1994 - 31 December 1995
* 1 July 1996 - 30 June 1998
* 1 July 1998 - 30 June 2000
* 1 July 2001 - 30 June 2002
* 1 July 2002 - 30 June 2003

References

External links

* [http://www.mh-53pavelow.com MH-53PaveLow.com, the unofficial Pave Low web site]