550th Special Operations Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 550th Special Operations Squadron (550 SOS) "WOLFPACK" is part of the 58th Special Operations Wing
at Kirtland Air Force Base
, New Mexico
. It operates Lockheed HC-130s and MC-130s, conducting special operations flying training.
and theater commanders the finest special operations and combat search and rescue
forces in the world.
58th Special Operations Wing
The 58th Special Operations Wing is a combat unit of the United States Air Force stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 58 SOW is part of the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force....
at Kirtland Air Force Base
Kirtland Air Force Base
Kirtland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in the southeast quadrant of the Albuquerque, New Mexico urban area, adjacent to the Albuquerque International Sunport. The base was named for the early Army aviator Col. Roy C. Kirtland...
, New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. It operates Lockheed HC-130s and MC-130s, conducting special operations flying training.
Mission
To provide United States Special Operations CommandUnited States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
and theater commanders the finest special operations and combat search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
forces in the world.
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.Lineage
- 1550th Flying Training Squadron (1971–1991)
- 550th Flying Training Squadron (1991–1994)
- 550th Special Operations Squadron (1994–Present)
Assignments
- 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing (1971–1991)
- 542d Flying Training Wing542d Combat Sustainment WingThe 542d Combat Sustainment Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.-Mission:...
(1991–1994) - 58th Special Operations Wing58th Special Operations WingThe 58th Special Operations Wing is a combat unit of the United States Air Force stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 58 SOW is part of the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force....
(1994–Present)
Bases stationed
- Hill Air Force BaseHill Air Force BaseHill Air Force Base is a major U.S. Air Force Base located in northern Utah, just south of the city of Ogden, and near the towns of Clearfield, Riverdale, Roy, Sunset, and Layton. It is about north of Salt Lake City. The base was named in honor of Major Ployer Peter Hill of the U.S. Army Air...
, UtahUtahUtah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
(1971–1976) - Kirtland Air Force BaseKirtland Air Force BaseKirtland Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located in the southeast quadrant of the Albuquerque, New Mexico urban area, adjacent to the Albuquerque International Sunport. The base was named for the early Army aviator Col. Roy C. Kirtland...
, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
(1976–Present)
Aircraft Operated
- TH-1UH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
(1971–1987) - UH-1 IroquoisUH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
(1971–1987) - HH-43 Huskie (1973–1975)
- HC-130 King Bird (1987–Present) Callsign AKELA
- MC-130H Combat Talon II (1994–Present) Callsign OPUS
- MC-130P Combat Shadow (1996–Present) Callsign SHADOW