550th Special Operations Squadron Commander: Lt. Col. Lance E. Schmidt, 550th SOS/CC Mission Statement To provide USSOCOM and theater commanders the finest special operations and combat search and rescue forces in the world -- BAR NONE! Unit History Lineage: Designated the 1550th Flying Training Squadron and activated on 1 Apr 1971. Re-designated as the 550th Flying Training Squadron on 1 Oct 1991 and finally as its current designation on 1 Apr 1994. Assignments: 1 Apr 1971 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing, 1550th Combat Crew Training Wing, Hill AFB, UT 1 Oct 1991 542d Operations Group, Kirtland AFB, NM 1 Apr 1994 to Present 58th Operations Group, Kirtland AFB, NM Unit Stations: 1 Apr 1971 Hill AFB, UT 15 Mar 1976 to Present Kirtland AFB, NM Aircraft Flown: 1971 to 1987 TH-1 and UH-1 Iroquois 1973 to 1975 HH-43 Huskie 1987 to Present HC-130 King Bird MC-130H Combat Talon II MC-130P Combat Shadow Operational Missions: 1971 to 1987 Developed, conducted and monitored helicopter flying training 1976 to 1987 Included search and rescue missions 1987 to Present Conducted special operations training Unit Awards Service Streamers: None Campaign Streamers: None Decorations: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 Apr 1974 to 31 May 1976 1 Apr 1976 to 31 Mar 1978 1 Jul 1985 to 30 Jun 1987 1 Jul 1987 to 30 Jun 1989 1 Jan 1993 to 30 Jun 1994 1 Jul 1994 to 31 Dec 1995 1 Jul 1996 to 30 Jun 1998 1 Jul 1998 to 30 Jun 2000 1 Jul 2001 to 30 Jun 2002 1 Jul 2002 to 30 Jun 2003 1 Jul 2004 to 30 Jun 2005 1 Jul 2006 to 30 Jun 2007 1 Jul 2007 to 30 Jun 2008